Hello,

I have a 1998 Honda Civic DX Sedan 5 speed manual transmission.

My check engine light came on around 4 months ago and I immediately drove it into the nearest mechanic I could find. He said my catalytic converter needs to be replaced and that the part cost $635. I told him I'd look around for a better deal and he said good luck.

Well since then I am not even sure if it was correctly diagnosed, or perhaps it could be the oxygen sensor. I'm going to buy an OBDII code reader this weekend and see what the code actually is.

I'm in california and that means CARB compliance.

In the mean time, I'm wondering, if I do have to replace the cat, what is the cheapest way to go? I did find the stock cat for less, around $550. However I found CARB compliant "universal" type cats that have to be welded. They are advertised as working for Honda Civics 1998.

I've seen these for as low as $65. However, every time I call a mechanic to ask about this they act like it's not possible and they quote me 700 to 1000 for a new direct fit manifold converter.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has done this on a car similar to mine and how much did it cost.

 

if ur exhaust manifold is cracked or u dont pass smog just go to ur local honda dealer and they willl replace the manifold for free. but ur car has to be under 150,000 miles

 

i do not know about carb legal products. the cat im running is not carb legal. its only not legal in california. go to an autozone and ask about carb legal cats. they may not have the manifold cat that is originally on your car but they might have a aftermarket. then you need a new header, longer wires for your o2 sensors, custom welding/cutting. after all is said and done it may be better to find a manifold cat. after your trail status is up in a week post in the WTB forum.

takes your cat off and look at it. clean it out if you can. maybe it is your o2 sensors which are a relatively cheap fix. ill go search for a mani cat now and post up the link if i find one.

[edit] you dont need to buy a OBDII scanner. go to your local autozone or whatever. they scan for free.

 

+1 on getting your cel code read at autozone/advance. I had a hi-flow cat on my car once that I bought for $250, a full custom exhaust, a b17 motor and it passed smog inspections in North Carolina.
Those mechanics want you to pay good money for a reason, they want to make money off of you.

 

Honda's emissions warrenty is only good for 8yrs. or 80k miles which ever comes first.

The cats are easy to replace and the aftermarket cats that weld in are for 95 and older cars with obdI systems.

Replace the manifold yourself and get both gaskets, it should only take about 1.5hrs to do.

 

dude get the magnaflow code complaint obd2 cat online. its epa and carb approved . I got mine for 65 shipped online. It passed smog like a charm forget paying 650 for a cat converter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by honda.lioness &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Take the old catalytic converter to a scrap yard that buys them. Cat converters have precious metals in them that translate to bucks at the typical scrap yard. Last month I got $25 for my old cat converter.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

or sell it to ca-rs who is buying manny cats for 60 bucks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by honda.lioness &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A direct fit cat converter for your 98 will cost about $108 from dotcomparts.com</TD></TR></TABLE>

OP has a D16Y7 which has the catalytic converter integrated with the exhaust manifold.

Good luck finding one for under $300 that is also CARB approved.

 

I got brand new oem honda calalytic for 96-00 civic for $350.
any one want it????