'98 Integra, 3 door, 5-speed.

I just went to a mechanic. They said that I need a new Cat. They quoted me a price of over $700, and said that this part is VERY hard to find. They also said that one of the sensors would most likely break during the Cat replacement. That sensor would be another $300+. The total including labor would be a whopping $1,300!!!

So I just got back to my office, and I am finding Cat 'replacements' for about $150, and the sensors for about $230.

Is there a reason that there is such a difference in price? Or was the mechanic trying to rip me off?

Please help!!!

 

And just as a quick question added on to my original post...

How vital is it that I replace the Cat? What is the worst-case scenario, and how long can you drive w/ a bad cat?

 

converters going for $20 off ebay, any diference between them and oem?

 

I have no idea. But I'll look into it.

Thanks!

 

correct me if im wrong anyone, but u can drive without a cat if you want, just get a test pipe or something and replace the cat, but of course you'll be driving with a cel. If you choose to do so, the only thing is that the fumes coming out are gonna smell like **** and you won't be able to pass smog. As for as the price range of the cat, i think the mechanic is just ripping you off, thats way too damn expensive. SMSP quoted me for a high flow cat for about 175. As for as the obd2 sensor, i'm sure its somewhere around the price range that you found it as. Dealerships rip ppl off. Good luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sukii &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">correct me if im wrong anyone, but u can drive without a cat if you want, just get a test pipe or something and replace the cat, but of course you'll be driving with a cel. If you choose to do so, the only thing is that the fumes coming out are gonna smell like **** and you won't be able to pass smog. As for as the price range of the cat, i think the mechanic is just ripping you off, thats way too damn expensive. SMSP quoted me for a high flow cat for about 175. As for as the obd2 sensor, i'm sure its somewhere around the price range that you found it as. Dealerships rip ppl off. Good luck</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ok, you are wrong. It is a Federal crime to remove/tamper with the converter on any car in any state. Those fumes you spoke of are VERY toxic and are known to cause cancer. If you don't care about your lungs hopefully you will about others.

No you will NOT pass a visual or sniffer test. Yes your mechanic is nuts you could do it for 1/2 that price if you want to stay OEM parts, less if you go aftermarket. http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/ They are $626 there.

IMO - I would contact SMSP since you are on the E coast and get an aftermarket cat for like $175 - $250. The sensor you mentioned is the O2 sensor on the cat. Because of the extreme heat it is often hard to remove. It can be done if you get lucky, but depending on miles on the car I would just replace it. The O2 sensor is $213 at the site above or you can get an aftermarket one for less. Some people have had bad luck with the universal O2s they buy at the parts stores.

Then there is installation..... 1 hour on your back, and there are 5 bolts to remove and 1 gasket to replace. You may want to get new bolts to make the job alot easier if you need them. Also make sure you take out the front 2 spring bolts first, then unhook a few rubber hangers on the exhaust and lower it to the ground to get at the top bolt that goes to the b-pipe. Don't try to get to it while the exhaust is fully hung.

 

actually, there are certain circumstances where you can replace the cat legally:
1. If the vehicle is missing a converter, so you need to put one on.
2. If a state or local inspection program has determined the existing converter has been lead-poisoned or damaged or otherwise needs replacement; or
3. If the vehicle is more than eight years old or has more than 80,000 miles, and a legitimate need for replacement has been established and documented.

it sounds like they're trying to rip you off though. why did they say you need a new cat? how many miles are on your car? maybe its just me, but i've never broken an o2 sensor when i took one out unless i did it on purpose bc i was replacing it. so, unless they're saying its bad, i dunno why they're saying you need a new o2 sensor. even still, that price they're quoting you is way too high. i would just buy an aftermarket replacement sensor from the parts store. and as far as the cat, i'd highly recommend Dave (SMSP). thats who i got my cat from, very good quality work and a fair price! good luck!

 

Yes, it is fine to replace it, but not to just remove it (IE - test pipe).

Also if his car has been run rich for a long time it can burn up the cat. Or like one of mine that just came apart inside.

sabotage7 Here is the big difference with his O2 sensor. You live in FL, and he lives in Jersy. Big difference in trying to remove bolts from a FL car vs. Jersy car.

 

i bought a used cat here on h-t for cheap ~50$. its illegal to sell emissions parts so they dont have them at the junkyards..just look around h-t classifieds, and if your o2 sensor is currently working there is no need to replace it...

 

i live by the water, so theres a lot of moisture and salt in the air where i live, so all my bolts were rusty and hard to get off. my o2 sensor was difficult to remove too. i actually ended up taking my cat apart to get my o2 sensor out. my vehicle is also 4yrs older than his, so as far as difficulty in removing bolts, its probably about the same. i never said it was easy, theres just ways to avoid breaking stuff!