HI, this is my first post and i wanted to know if you guys could help me with a few things. First off, my auto-mechanical knowledge is pretty limited, i understand most of the terminology and have a basic understanding of how a car works though.

I have a 1998 Honda civic HX coupe and i live in California. My catalytic converter is starting to go and i need a new one, however i have a front mounted one as opposed to one under the car. I cant find a replacement on the internet because all of them are for non CA emisioned vehicles. The dealership wants 600 bucks for the replacement and i really dont want to pay that much for one part.

ok onto the question. Ive been reading up on exhausts and i want to know if its possible to put a new exhaust system in with a catalytic converter that goes under the car instead. Those ones are much more reasonably priced and as far as i know perform better. I know doing this will cost more because i will need a new header, an exaust system kit and a catalytic converter(right? feel free to tell me how completely wrong i am). I'd feel better spending 800 - 1000 dollars on a whole system thats going to increase my performance and make my car run better than pay 600 dollars for a replacement part thats not gonna do anything but make a noise go away. (yes i know it does more than that but you get what i mean)

ok so thats the question, any help would be appreciated

Matthias

 

Yes it is possible. You will need the header for a 96-00 civic ex, the cat and exhuast to match. You will also have to make your second o2 sensor's wires longer so they can reach under the car.

 

That's all physically possible, but not legal in CA. I have an HX also. It's against CA smog laws to physically move your cat. I would suggest looking around the classifieds here and on eBay.

 

do you know specifically which smog law that it? I cant find where it is that it says you cant move your cat, i cant see why it would be a problem anyways, my cars still gonna have a cat, just in a different area