nodice07

Hello Group,
I own a 97 Accord with 150K on the odometer and the check engine light came on. My local shop put it on their computer and the diagnosis is that my catalytic converter is going bad. I asked my mechanic what would be the "worst case scenario" if I just ignored the repair. He said that eventually my gas mileage would go in the tank (pardon the pun ) and if the material that's in the converter breaks apart in big enough chunks, it will clog the tailpipe causing the engine to kill.
The converter is aprox $700 installed. Now, I would NEVER endorse doing anything illegal, but how would a person modify their converter (for off-road, private property use only) if they wanted to avoid the replacement. I've "googled" this question, and not found much info. Again, I stress ..... this is ONLY hypothetical.
Thanks

XiOus271

i personally wouldnt touch the insides of the cat, since i dont want cancer to eat my face off. the insides are carcinogenic (sp??), but if you wanted to, go with either a high flow cat or a testpipe. neither of those are that expensive, and you can get them with a bung for the o2 sensor, which might be helpful since you are obdII, unless you dont mind having a CEL and crap for gas milage.

notoriousB

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nodice07 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how would a person modify their converter (for off-road, private property use only) if they wanted to avoid the replacement. I've "googled" this question, and not found much info. Again, I stress ..... this is ONLY hypothetical.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
hypothetical... yeahhh that's it! and I still have a cat on my own car! yeah! that's it!

BUT the easiest way is unbolt the cat, (both sides) and take a big *** screwdriver or a piece of rebar and a hammer and bash the "guts" completely out of the cat.

then reinstall it. you'll probably get a CEL for your 2nd o2 sensor, but you can bypass that by buying an 18mm spark plug defouler, drilling out the small side to 1/2 inch, then installing the o2 into the defouler and the defouler into the cat.

hypothetically of course.

P_Adams

hypothetically, purchase an aftermarket replacement Catalytic Converter and have your local garage hang the &^%* thing and clear the codes.
No jumping thru hoops, no voodoo 'make it work" sinarios.
Your question was based on your reaction to getting a repair estimate which would make anyone blush. Let's see.....

http://www.convertergeek.com/resetsession.epc

Aftermarket direct bolt on: $146.00 to $240.00
Recertified Oem Honda: $246.00

One (1) Hour Labor: 60.00
Tax: $19.00

The choice is yours

P

notoriousB

or bash out stock cat: $0.00
18mm defouler pack: $3.99

for a grand total of $3.99 + applicable state tax and maybe an hour of your personal time.

businessmanph

$700 is mad loot. I hope my **** breaks before I hit 150k so I can get it fix for free. You should research aftermarket cat converters, I guess. Does anybody know if they are good?

The metals in the cat converter neutralize the poisonous exhaust chemically making them save for some what safer. Those metals cost more than gold. That might explain the high cost.

jmcclain71415

I don't know much about car repairs, but I'm researching this forum to determine if I have to pay someone to install my new converter or if it just bolts in (haven't purchased new one yet). I know there are options & I'm hoping for the easiest install.

Side note, my cousin almost died recently & has permanent brain damage from heavy metal poisoning he got while gutting his catalytic converter. Something to consider. This is the only reason I decided to replace mine rather than doing what all the rednecks around me suggested. Smart guys but cheapest isn't always best.

Lost Again

It bolts in. Those bolts/nuts are going to be a pain to remove....heat and age, they are pretty much rusted/welded together. If you have a cutting tool, I'd just cut the old ones off and install new.

jmcclain71415

Thanks...I won't waste too much time trying to get the old bolts out.