Hey guys! would really appreciate any help or feedback...heres my dilemma at hand.

I currently have my 98 Civic EX hooked up with a straight pipe and no cat. My smog check is due in July. For the last few years i've passed under the table...but i dont want to shell out the extra cash no more.

So what I'm wondering is how much is it gonna cost me to redo my whole exhaust w/cat converter legitly so i pass the smog here in CA. I currently have a magna flow exhaust (would i pass if i redo everything and leave the magna flow?)

If your wondering why i dont pay the $200 to get smogged its because im also tired of the straight pipe (too loud and to much attention).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Well you are going to need to do several things to pass:

First you will need to acquire a new catalytic converter. That will set you back $200-$400 or more. www.randomtechnology.com

Second you need to make sure you have the correct number/style O2 sensors for your car. Depending on the model of your car you may have a front and rear O2 sensor so do your research since missing either sensor could cause you to fail. Check out www.sparkplugs.com for O2 sensors from Denso...cheap.

Third you may need to get an exhaust shop to bend whatever piping you are missing. Since you have a Civic it shouldn't be to much pipe but it will need to be custom made to fit the new catalytic converter since it will have to come from an aftermarket vendor. You shouldn't have to replace the Magnaflow system unless it doesn't meet CARB regulations.

Altogether you will be shelling out at least $500 for the whole thing. That is if you replace the items listed with new parts from the sources listed plus the cost of installation and bending the new pipe.

Your other option is to find a complete used exhaust system for your car from a junkyard. You may be able to get one for less than $500. Keep in mind though that the catalytic converter is the most expensive part. Usually, junkyards will sell those separate from the rest of the exhaust. Cats have platinum in them which is what removes the pollutants from the exhaust. Because of that they are often scavenged to be torn apart and the platinum taken out. Platinum is like $1800 an ounce...so people really like to tear apart catalytic converters for profit.

Doing this isn't going to be cheap and easy. It will cost you to do it right. Keep in mind that once it is done then you will be good for at least 100,000 miles since that is the lifespan of the average catalytic converter. So, it may be costly...you will only spend the money once though...instead of $200 every year for the whole time you own the car...to get an illegal emissions certification.

 

since he's in cali, it's every other year.

 

Either way, he will save money in the long run if he corrects this issue now. That is why I mentioned the emissions inspection requirements. Thanks for correcting the time frame.

 

Thanks for the help Shail...so i guess now im debating what to do...I really dont want to shell out $500, but Im also already annoyed by the straight pipe and i dont want to shell out the $200 to get passed...

you guys think i should just buy a Universal Cat and just add it on to what i got already just to shut my car up...or should i just spend the $ legitly and try and pass the smog.

 

u can search around online for a universal CARB/CALI approved magnaflow cat which will cost about $140-$180..have a muffler shop weld on some flanges that cost about $80 bucks

 

^x2

 

if its a 98 its obd2 and im sure you have 2 sensors so just get a cat(i got mine which is a 3inch high flow turbo cat for 70 online made by vibrant) and just make sure its the right size and get it welded up. should cost less than 100 if you shop around. i put in a new 02 and cat just before i got smogged and passed EASILY. try it with stock sensors and see if you will pass with just a new cat. if not then change your 02 sensors and do a tune up and run sea foam. you should be just fine.

 

u didnt have to worry about Carb #s like us cali. ppl do..the smog guy will actually get down on his knees with a small mirror to find the carb# on the cat and punch that into his computer to make sure its correct cat for that car

 

wow, cali sucks. either way im still standing by shopping around for a decent price. i got my whole 3 inch exhaust system welded up for 100 at a hole in the wall place and passed phoenix arizona smog

 

Just go to an exhaust shop and have them add a cat conv for you, shouldn't be too much.