Calling all Guru's,

I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX with the D16Y7. I noticed today while doing my oil change and running the car with the hood open that there was an exhaust leak. I removed the heat shield and sure enough the manifold is cracked, There is also hairline cracks forming in multiple spots. I do not have a lot of money and I am trying to fix my problem as inexpensively as possible while still doing it right. I can get a stainless eBay header(Yes, I know but it is better than what I have) for not to much money. I also need to get a catalytic converter(Magnaflow usually has cats for less than $90.00). If I go with a header what catalytic converter do I need to get? The existing manifold and cat are one piece on my car and I do not know where I could put the new cat if I use a header. Any ideas? The part that makes putting the cat somewhere else hard is that I have two O2 sensors, So one has to be before the cat and one after. There are two piece manifold and catalytic converter sets available but I would like to take advantage of using a stainless header vs. a manifold. I have also found that using an aftermarket header and cat would be less expensive. My car is a daily driver and must pass future emissions tests. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated even if they are not the ones I am thinking of, I am definitely open minded to anything at this point. Part numbers, pictures ect. would be great. Anything that would give me a reference point to get this project done is also appreciated.

Thanks,

 

headers wont be a problem just about anything will be ok for u as its ur daily driver. now for the Cat make sure its an actual DOT street legal cat, not a test pipe or anything. u can get a high flow Cat for about $100 and headers for like $40 (just get some ebay ones)

 

Yeah, The hard part is figuring out where to put the cat since it won't be able to go directly below the header like where it sits below the manifold now.

 

when u remove the stock manifold with cat u should just have ur pipe hanging. just install ur header and Cat afterwards then u will bolt that to ur ur pipe flange... u might have to fab a lil hanger for it, but i dont see why u would have any problems with clearance or anything.

 

So what car should I buy the catalytic converter for? My manifold and cat are one piece and the one I need will be way different from the stock one for the LX. Any ideas? Thanks for the replies.

 

if u go with a hi flow legal cat i believe they are sold for 92-00 and are sold in either universal fit which means u have to weld it or with specific flanges for a 1.25" or 2.25" or 2.5" etc. just look around on ebay to get an idea...

 

I have been looking around at different catalytic converters and I can't seem to find the one I will need. The last time I used a high-flow cat on my 90 Si it only managed to get me through emissions one time. I ended up buying an actual Magnaflow catalytic converter to pass. Here is my dilemma, My 98 civic is California emissions compliant and from what everyone has been telling me the catalytic converter is going to be different from a standard one. Is this true? I need to make sure what ever money I spend is going to be on the right part so I can pass emissions. Should I just go with a California emissions compliant OEM style part? Thanks for all the help.

 

Since you're in CA THIS Ebay maniverter would be your cheapest (ultimately) route.
If you went with the $40 header, then bought a $100 DOT legal Cat. Converter, then paid someone to weld it into your existing exhaust system, and add the second O2 bung, it would be well over $250 for that route.

Just stick with the OEM style and call it good.