TomcatMF

Hello all,
I have a 1997 Camaro SS with the LT1 5.7 liter engine. My check engine light came on, so I took it to the dealer to see what the problem is. At any rate it turns out one of my catalytic converters is bad. My car has 2 of them and the dealer recommended replacing both since there's over 100K miles on them. They quoted me a price of $1500 to replace them, and I got another quote from Midas of about $800 for parts and $250 for labor.

Does anyone know of a good place to get some California legal cats any cheaper than that? Also the car still drives fine, so how long can I let it go on like this? Thanks for your help.

anaik

Not much choice to be legal in CA. Either new from dealer or rebuilt, probably the Midas ones you mention. Here's a site, not much cheaper when labor is included.

http://www.convertergeek.com/epcstar...ntid=converter

Try Ebay.

truedualws6

I have replaced mine and passed smog even though the cats have
been changed and relocated. I did use OBDII compliant Magnaflow cats.
I did the entire true dual system for $1,200. The cats were $200 each.

89TramsAmGTA

Check out the new metallic spun catalytic converters from Magnaflow. They use a metalic substrate material and are high flowing. Around 600cfm per cat. That will support 275HP per cat with no restrictions or 550HP with dual cats. I think they are the 59000 series. That will flat get it done.

89TramsAmGTA

Check out the new metallic spun catalytic converters from Magnaflow. They use a metalic substrate material and are high flowing. Around 600cfm per cat. That will support 275HP per cat with no restrictions or 550HP with dual cats. I think they are the 59000 series. That will flat get it done.

dren70

i used the magnaflow / carsound cat. i had the single version exhaust and bought it online for 80 bucks and had a friend weld it for me. find a small private exhaust / tire shop and someone there has got to beat a thousand for a couple cats. i think the details are on the cardomain site in my link. 1500. way to go GM. thieves. i passed CA smog twice with the stock tune. i ran it with a custom tune but flashed it right before the smog check. i also put 290 to the rear wheels so that limit of 275 on one .

david

BUBBA

To begin with, I would never believe a dealer when they say I have a bad cat. Won't cost you any more to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on the condition of the cats. When it costs big buck items, tis alway a good idea to make sure that's what you need. JMHO

2cub49

Try calling these people.
Even though it says except CA on the cats they may be able to help. I mean a cat is a cat.

http://exhaust.cheapexhaust.com/part...verter&dp=true

1racerdude

A replacement cat in CA has to have a cert number.
I have passed the sniffer with NO cats in Las Angeles but the guy didn't look.

dren70

i had the paperwork my cat came with but the guy doing the check (temecula) never asked for it. he saw it and even commented on it "thats a funny looking cat" but that was the end of it. i think he just wanted to see that i had one.

david

1racerdude

Seems like it depends on who is doing the inspection and where.
How about ya'll's new pollution laws??? The GOV got it going on,huh.

Severous01

did you check on a magnaflow cat? they're nice and i'm sure they're cal legal. i think i got one of those nice shiney stickers when i swapped over to 95 style single cat setup.(i bought the wrong headers and just went with it)