first off, i'd like to welcome myself to this forum although i have lurked around here acouple of times in the past. anyway, my gf's 6th gen accord's (4 cyl) check engine light is on and after talking to a mechanic, we were told that we a need a new cat to the tune of $1k the car runs pretty normal, gas consumption is the same and it feels like it pulls the same. i'm not really familiar with honda engine (nor any other engine for that matter) but is there any way to diagnose the problem (like pull codes, etc.) to confirm the we really need a cat? if it wasn't for the registration that is due soon and the smog, i'd drive the car with CEL on because i don't have $1k to shell out at the moment. never had a cat replaced on my previous cars and i'm shocked at the cost of replacement. thanks in advance.

 

buy a magnaflow catalytic converter off the internet for no more than $150...take it to a muffler shop and have them install it for no more than $50...take your car to an auto parts store or to a friend w/ a obd2 scan tool and have them clear the code for free...and bam your car is fixed

 

here you go....

http://www.ecatalyticconverter....html

it bolts in

 

yes, autozone and kragen stores will check any check engine lights you have and tell you what the are for free...also a catalytic coverter change is not very difficult, with basic hand tools and nothing more than a few hours you could change the cat yourself...

 

I would also check to see if a honda dealer will replace it under warranty because emmissions equipment is covered longer than the regular warranty. If not then buy the one that is linked above.

 

its highly unlikely that hte cat is bad unless other thigns are bad as well.

iw oudl like to know what code was being thrown...

 

i appreciate the input everyone i'll try to get the code this weekend and take from there. thanks also for the link.

i found a local guy who is selling a oem exhaust system (he upgraded) with the cat still intact. it is from a 03 accord ex. anyone know if this is the same application as 98 accord, 4 cyl.? thanks again.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by balut_penoy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i appreciate the input everyone i'll try to get the code this weekend and take from there. thanks also for the link.

i found a local guy who is selling a oem exhaust system (he upgraded) with the cat still intact. it is from a 03 accord ex. anyone know if this is the same application as 98 accord, 4 cyl.? thanks again.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know the exhaust will not work, but the cat may. The only problem you may run into is the bolt pattern on the flange may be different than yours. Like everyone said, see what the code is first. If the car has 100k+ miles on it, then it may be beyond the coverate of the manuf emissions warenty. If you do buy a new cat, magnaflow replacements can be found from rep ebay dealers for $30.

 

Like everyone has said get a magnaflow off ebay. I got mine for $56 including shipping and had it welded up for a couple of bucks at the exhaust shop. Performance peddler is an authorized dealer for magnaflow and they sell on ebay, they usually have some pretty good deals and you can find them under that name on ebay.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SpeedFreak77 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Performance peddler is an authorized dealer for magnaflow and they sell on ebay, they usually have some pretty good deals and you can find them under that name on ebay.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's who I bought mine from. Cool guy!