Replacement Catalytics Convertors - CA Legal (1 Viewer)

[Phil H]

I have a plugged front cat on our CA '97 40th Anniv. I started a post awhile back when the EGR rubber hose btwn the EGR valve and the EGR modulator popped off

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/681339-egr-hose-blows-off-plugged-catalytic-convertors.html

Does anyone have any current experience with aftermarket CA legal front and rear cat's for the '95 to '97 80's with the Y-Pipe???

I have done some searching and found the range of answers from 'just knock the innards out w a hammer and be done with it' to the single-cat solutions that seem to have problems throwing codes due to the possibility that the O2 sensors are not re-lcoated to the correct position to be able to read a single-cat installation.



https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/174044-catalytic-converter-direct-fit-1997-califonia-vs-49-state.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/419666-confirm-can-one-universal-catalytic-converter-replace-dual-oem-setup-97-lx.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/334625-found-y-pipes-including-cat-214-shipped.html

The OEM route is ~ $2k! But its bolt on and I have gotten 16 yrs out of the OEM parts.

I ran across NKP Racing in TX:

http://www.nkpracing.com/storefront/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=345

They have a nice 304 Stl Stl Y-Pipe w a non-CA high flow front cat + rear car + adaptor pipe to connect to OEM rear exh in the $815 + frt price range. Looks like they have the nice weld jigs to produce the bolt-in solution, lifetime warranty, good customer service, etc. They can put a cats on the Y Pipe w the CARB cert (for CA) stamp on the cat for an extra $250.
They also offer a Y-Pipe solution with BOTH front and rear cats attached to it that will then let you connect up to their full exhaust and muffler package and still offer a tighter package than OEM near the slider frame bracket along with an over-the-frame exh pipe route. Very nice.
Sounds great but IF i need that CARB stamp on the cats to pass CA Bay Area smog checks, its close to OEM price with the obvious beneift of a better quality 304 Stl Stl (over the 400-series OEM Stl Stil).

Anyone have experience in CA with the NKP Racing passing smog and just using their non-CARB cat's??

Used from the wrecking yard is awfully tempting to just get the 80 back on the road for the wife tho its still $500 and they are at least 16 yrs old!! Who knows when a used one will fail.

 

[tirewater]

When the time comes I'll probably buy the magnaflow one. I have no experience with it though.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-447103

 

[Phil H]

Interesting - had not seen the Magnaflow direct fit. Thks for the lead.

Per their website

http://www.magnaflow.com/02catalytic_converters/02product/displaydirectfit_obd.asp?directfit=447103

'While the majority of the Direct-Fit Catalytic Converter products do not require welding, cutting or bending, limited applications may require additional welding for optimal installation.'

Wonder what work is involved? Will have to call them. They dont say if its stl stl either tho Stillen does in their advertistment. If its not stl stl, there is a good chance it will rust out in a few yrs even in CA at the weld joints due to the vibration.

And, is the flex joints on the NKP Racing version better in offering long-life / absorbing all the vibration??

 

[Schwaz80]

My 97 only has one cat. I suspect the PO had some work done. I don't throw any codes, but it is a rusty mess and something will have to replace it soon.

 

[Kjartanbj]

Im so glad that here in Iceland if your car is older than 96' then you dont need cats

but I would never spend 2k on exhaust, would just clean out the cats
maybe borrow an exhaust from a friend while it would get a smog
like I did when i had my Subaru WRX , had a 3" straight trough exhaust, borrowed an original exhaust for smog then changed again

 

[TYM4FUN]

Your only options if you want your replacement cats to be legal are install factory OEM or use the cats appoved by CARB. You can see the list of approved cats on their website here:https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/CatalystSearchTool.aspx

When you click on this link, you can input what vehicle you are searching for and you will get the cats that are currently approved. For your vehicle, it looks like the only one who makes them is Magnaflow (Car Sound Exhaust Systems, Inc.), with the EO# D-193-103.

Any other part# or EO# would result in a failed inspection. Used catylalitic converters are also not allowed to be installed. So if you were to try and get inspected with used cats freshly welded on, the tech would likely fail your inspection. You also must have the correct number of cats installed in their original locations.

The aftermarket cats from Magnaflow should be way cheaper than OEM.

I hope this helps.

 

[Phil H]

Have to renwew every 2 years so swapping starts to get expensive and time consuming. Gaskets are $50 for the whole thing plus any stripped or damaged nuts and studs. Time two for the friend plus the hour it takes.

The used cat does NOT require a reweld. The front cat is factory welded to the Y-Pipe in the OEM version - new or used - its a bolt-in.

Yep -- likely one more $$$ penalty for being stuck in CA and paying the price for the idiocy of the past...

 

[Phil H]

What concerns me about the Magnflow - and have not verified it yet - is the fine print that says mod's required when they advertise it as bolt-in and is it stl stl or a thin-gauge stl stl with a short life time?? At <$400, its certainly attractive, but still wonder. Seen the posts on the cheap solutions rusting out at the weld joints, etc.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Have to renwew every 2 years so swapping starts to get expensive and time consuming. Gaskets are $50 for the whole thing plus any stripped or damaged nuts and studs. Time two for the friend plus the hour it takes.

The used cat does NOT require a reweld. The front cat is factory welded to the Y-Pipe in the OEM version - new or used - its a bolt-in.

Yep -- likely one more $$$ penalty for being stuck in CA and paying the price for the idiocy of the past...

I said welded on, because the majority don't take the time to unbolt the manifold and just chop it off at the junk yard.

Good luck.

 

[mickeyt]

Any idea how this sounds vs EMS or OEM sound? Are you even able to get an exhaust with cats from a junk yard? I thought it was illegal for them to sell these?

 

[axolotl81]

I think magnaflow has a CA legal OBDII catalytic converter that should be okay. But it has to be a OBDII, I believe.

 

[jcardona1]

Your only options if you want your replacement cats to be legal are install factory OEM or use the cats appoved by CARB. You can see the list of approved cats on their website here:https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/CatalystSearchTool.aspx

When you click on this link, you can input what vehicle you are searching for and you will get the cats that are currently approved. For your vehicle, it looks like the only one who makes them is Magnaflow (Car Sound Exhaust Systems, Inc.), with the EO# D-193-103.

Any other part# or EO# would result in a failed inspection. Used catylalitic converters are also not allowed to be installed. So if you were to try and get inspected with used cats freshly welded on, the tech would likely fail your inspection. You also must have the correct number of cats installed in their original locations.

The aftermarket cats from Magnaflow should be way cheaper than OEM.

I hope this helps.

That's a good link. I'm starting to research cats since I'm sure mine will need to be replaced soon. What's strange about that link is that for my '96 LC, I get a lot of CA-legal options, 2 pages of results. But for a '97 LC it only shows the MagnaFlow cats as being compliant. Why would that be? I thought '96 & '97 were basically identical?

Also, we'd need the two cats right? The CARB page shows this one as a direct-fit for my '96 LC for the front, $376.42
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-447103/media/images

And this one as a direct fit for the rear, $189.04
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-447217

 

[jcardona1]

And here's the universal weld-on versions that are CA-approved

Front, $204.70
http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=447106&dds=1

Rear, $100.21
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-447206

 

[TYM4FUN]

Any idea how this sounds vs EMS or OEM sound? Are you even able to get an exhaust with cats from a junk yard? I thought it was illegal for them to sell these?

It is....

That's a good link. I'm starting to research cats since I'm sure mine will need to be replaced soon. What's strange about that link is that for my '96 LC, I get a lot of CA-legal options, 2 pages of results. But for a '97 LC it only shows the MagnaFlow cats as being compliant. Why would that be? I thought '96 & '97 were basically identical? Depends on if the manufacturer applied for approval for that year is all. You still need to go with what is listed if you don't want any headaches with inspections.

Also, we'd need the two cats right? Yes two cats are needed. The front and rear cats have their own part # though...The CARB page shows this one as a direct-fit for my '96 LC for the front, $376.42
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-447103/media/images

And this one as a direct fit for the rear, $189.04
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-447217

 

[Phil H]

I called Magnaflow today:


Y-Pipe + Front Cat -- DIRECT-FIT CATALYTIC CONVERTER PART# 447103
CARB or CA embosed EO #
400 Series Stl Stl -- not as good as the 304 Stl Stl for long life
Warranty = 5 yrs -- much shorter than NKP Racing - thinner mtl??

http://www.magnaflow.com/02catalytic_converters/02product/displaydirectfit_obd.asp?directfit=447103

Summit has it for $376.42 + tax + frt frt. (So does Jegs)
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-447103


2nd or Rear Cat -- DIRECT-FIT CATALYTIC CONVERTER PART# 447217
CARB or CA embosed EO #
400 Series Stl Stl
Warranty = 5 yrs

http://www.magnaflow.com/02catalytic_converters/02product/displaydirectfit_obd.asp?directfit=447217

Summit has the 2nd bolt in CARB cat for $189.04 + tax + frt frt.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-447217

Total from Summit: $ 563.66 + tax + free frt

Certainly less money than OEM and NKP Racing but the question for me is will the Magnaflows fail/rust out in that 5 yr warranty period? Doing this again in 5 yrs or less make the other vendors lifetime warranty more attractive.

 

[pkelly72]

I think you'll be fine. If I were you, it's what I'd get and I might be in your shoes soon.

 

[mickeyt]

The NK site has some interesting products http://www.nkpracing.com/storefront/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=190_191

 

[temple]

Your only options if you want your replacement cats to be legal are install factory OEM or use the cats appoved by CARB. You can see the list of approved cats on their website here:https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/CatalystSearchTool.aspx

When you click on this link, you can input what vehicle you are searching for and you will get the cats that are currently approved. For your vehicle, it looks like the only one who makes them is Magnaflow (Car Sound Exhaust Systems, Inc.), with the EO# D-193-103.

Any other part# or EO# would result in a failed inspection. Used catylalitic converters are also not allowed to be installed. So if you were to try and get inspected with used cats freshly welded on, the tech would likely fail your inspection. You also must have the correct number of cats installed in their original locations.

The aftermarket cats from Magnaflow should be way cheaper than OEM.

I hope this helps.

Huh. None of this is true. No one has ever looked at my cats and that is when pulling up with loud pipes and all kinds of illegal stuff on a race car. Half of my vehicles have illegal cats, intakes etc and I haven't had an issue at multiple locations. If they look at you cats, take it somewhere else. My 2 cents.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Huh. None of this is true. No one has ever looked at my cats and that is when pulling up with loud pipes and all kinds of illegal stuff on a race car. Half of my vehicles have illegal cats, intakes etc and I haven't had an issue at multiple locations. If they look at you cats, take it somewhere else. My 2 cents.

It is all correct and the law. If your vehicles are being passed somewhere else with unapproved parts, it is because they are not following the laws and regulations required of them.

You said it yourself, in your own statement, your vehicles are "illegal." Just because the places you take your vehicles to look the other way, doesn't mean what I wrote isn't true.....

I could care less what anyone does with their vehicle's. I'm just providing CORRECT information to the questions they ask.

Not sure why you would want to steer other people in the wrong direction though?

 

[jcardona1]

None of this is true. [...] Half of my vehicles have ILLEGAL cats

LOL, talk about a contradiction.