Cat converters

[applehead]

I need to replace a catalytic converter and of course it has to be CARB certified. My question is can I DIY using bolt on or clamp on brackets instead of welding or is this not allowed in the California dictatorship.
Thank you.

 

[96blak54]

Since our cars were massed produced and many many people upgraded their exhaust completely, you would probably have great luck finding someone with a stock cats and exhaust system for cheap. Im not positive if a cat replacement will pass California dictatorship emissions. I know its finicky.

Have you tried to get classic car licence plates? Some states allow 4year smog cycles and less estrictions on classic tagged cars

 

[ttocs]

I think they consider almost ANYTHING done to the exhaust as a modification and consider it illegal don't they? It could probably be done but yea if they notice they will probably give notice.

 

[shovel]

The hard part is anyone who has upgraded their midpipe will almost certainly be outside of California. If they're close to you then they need to keep the CARB cats for the same reason you do.

I replaced the OEM midpipe on my 94 with a catted BBK and tried for a year to sell it, lowering the price until it got down to what a recycler would pay me. So I sold it to a recycler and now it's soup cans, jewelry and new cats. Even if I gave it away for free the shipping cost for a 35 pound huge box like that would have been $$$$

 

[applehead]

I am going to purchase a Magnaflow cat # 338015. Now I need to find a shop to install as I know nothing about welding. I am assuming most shops do not offer warranty on products bought independently from their inventory. Am I correct?

 

[RAU03MACH]

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

you could get the clamps like this and the cats like this remove when you need to then install when needed

 

[RAU03MACH]

texas is getting ready to shit can emissions
also most states are if your car is over 25 years

 

[Daryl]

I am going to purchase a Magnaflow cat # 338015. Now I need to find a shop to install as I know nothing about welding. I am assuming most shops do not offer warranty on products bought independently from their inventory. Am I correct?

Applehead,
I’m a Californian and have the high-flow Magnaflow cats. Welded in. I pass smog. Weld shops don’t care where it came from and warranty is a non-issue. It’s a weld job, period. Just tell them you need your cats welded in and plunk down your cash. Should take an hour or less.
Where in CA are you located? I’m in Ventura County and have a couple of legit, reputable shops I’ve used. Quality work. Let me know if I can help

 

[applehead]

All of above seem like a good solution but remember I am in California. I would love to clamp on but is this allowed when passing emissions?

 

[applehead]

Located in San Diego.

 

[Daryl]

All of above seem like a good solution but remember I am in California. I would love to clamp on but is this allowed when passing emissions?

I can’t say for certain if clamp-on cats are acceptable or not, but I’ve never had a smog shop look under the car or put it up on a lift to inspect. They basically just start the car, place the probe in the exhaust pipe and run the test.
Try Googling “are clamp-on catalytic converters legal in CA” and see for sure. Good peace of mind

on edit: I just Googled it and clamp-ons are NOT legal in CA. But again, I’ve never seen any smog place look, so you could roll in with clamp-ons for a smog check and if they notice play dumb, just roll back out, go get them welded in, get rechecked and call it done! I’m sure there’s a ton of weld shops near smog shops in the Chula Vista area that are on a walk-in basis ;-)

 

[applehead]

OK,
Going to take in and have them welded. Thanks everyone.

 

[ttocs]

I would think that they would only really get down under the car and look to see how they are connected if it fails the sniffer but I know all the years I was in phoenix I just rolled up and rolled off and even with side exhaust they never looked under the car.

 

[applehead]

Well, the auto shop says the front right cat also needs replacing. I went from $200 install to $450 install. $320 + $250 for the parts plus labor of $450 is $1020. Do you know if AP / EASTERN 771752 midpipe replace will pass smog? I noticed no forward cats but the site says it is CARB compliant.

 

[cobrajeff96]

You could just leave California.
But don't forget to pay your exit tax!

 

[RAU03MACH]

OUCH

 

[applehead]

I found a shop that welded my cat. It was bad but the rattling I heard months ago was from the forward or pre cat. Completely empty of substrate. The car runs and sounds alot better ( The catback sounds louder ). I am going to wait and see if the car passes smog in September. Thoughts on whether three cats will compensate for one bad cat? Thanks.

 

[ttocs]

was the old cat worth recycling?

 

[applehead]

Yes!

 

[ttocs]

how much did ya get for it? precious metals have gone nuts the past year with the political stuff going on.