jt2008

Just a few days ago, I brought my car to take the emissions test and it failed. On the emissions report, the error P0420 Catalyst System Below Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) showed up. I brought it to the shop and the mechanic recommended me to replace the O2 sensor. When he opened the hood, he spotted that the exhaust manifold was cracked. He told me before replacing the O2 sensor I must replace the exhaust manifold first. He told me it would cost about $700 part + labor.

Is it possible for me to replace the exhaust manifold with an aftermarket one? I looked online and found this one.
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Exhau...00244
Would an aftermarket one be bad?

Thanks!


Modified by jt2008 at 12:13 PM 7/25/2008


Modified by jt2008 at 12:20 PM 7/25/2008

94EG8

You could get an aftermarket header, some places like california are very picky about exhaust for emissions though, DC sports makes a legal header i believe. Or you could just go to the junkyard and get a used stock exhaust manifold, i guarantee you it will be well under $700.

vtecb18c

yes dc sports headers are all 50 state legal...also the stock mani is anywhere from 120-200 depending on where you get it from...its not hard to do so you can do it yourself...i dont know about you but i wouldnt give the guy the satisfaction of taking 400-500 bucks from me for labor thats just ridiculous

thesmogman

First thing is contact your local dealer. Tell them the code and that it is a cracked manifold. You might get this fixed for free being that it is emissions related.

worth a shot!

jt2008

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the bad link here is a new one http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Exhau...95443

Would it be easy for me to do it myself?

iluvmy2000civicex

Yea it doesnt get much easier then replacing the exhaust manifold. I dont think there is anything wrong with your o2 sensor... probably just the exhaust manifold so try it first and if it dont work replace the o2 sensor.

I wouldnt get the header in that link... that is very expensive... you could get a quality 4-1 DC Sports ss header for that price if you look around and they are 50 state legal.

mortificationrock

How many miles are on your car? And I have a spare ex manifold if your interested.

jt2008

127k miles on it. It's an LX model

B18C5-EH2

Aftermarket HEADERS (yes I have the "S" to indicate plural form and that more than one manufacturer makes them - I know the car only has one header) do not work for this vehicle because they are made for the EX and Si models only, because their cats are located downstream below the engine, while the CX/DX/LX all have the cat built into the exhaust manifold itself up against the block.

For the same reason an EX manifold won't be a bolt-on affair either.

You can make a header set-up work, but it's a PITA because you'd also have to extend o2 sensor wiring, find an EX-style convertor, and cut the exhaust shorter and add the proper flanges to accomodate the new under-engine convertor.

You can take a chance on the aftermarket OE replacement convertor/manifold, but nothing fits and works like the OE Honda.

Call your local dealership with your VIN number ready and ask the service dept. to run a VIN status inquiry in regards to the emissions warranty - most convertors are only covered for 8 years/80,000 miles, but SOME went all the way to 10 years/150,000 miles.

B18C5-EH2

BTW a nice alternative to Honda o2 sensors are the Denso or NTK brands - they are OE quality for way, way cheaper. Look them up and see what I mean. Stay the hell away from Bosch!

You might as well buy both o2 sensors too, rather than transfer either from the cracked mani to the new one.

cminded_97

I believe the emissions warranty for 96-00 civics is 10 years or150000 miles. If they do warranty it I think they also replace plugs and wires. If you have after market wires it may burn up the coil though. I saw it happen a few times.

reyrey2006

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94EG8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You could get an aftermarket header, some places like california are very picky about exhaust for emissions though, DC sports makes a legal header i believe. Or you could just go to the junkyard and get a used stock exhaust manifold, i guarantee you it will be well under $700.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with this guy, aftermarket parts are way cheaper. I would go with a DC sport 4-1 Header.

1992Si

This may help.

http://www.hondaautomotivepart...81%29

lexluther

Anybody have one to fit an LX?... where the manifold is attached directly to the catalytic converter?.. yup mine is cracked to..