My CEL came on a couple weeks ago. I assumed it was the oxygen sensor but, according to Pep Boys, it's the catalytic converter. I'm waiting on them to call me back with a quote to replace it, but in the meantime I called Midas. According to Midas, I need to order the part through Honda. So, I called Honda and they want $1091.32 for the part.

I looked online and found a Magnaflow CA Catalytic Converter for 1998-2002 Accord EX ( I have a 2002) for $191.36, obviously a big difference from what Honda wants.

My question is, do I really need to order this damn part through Honda? Are there any other places someone can recommend to get this part?

 

No, you do not have to order a catalytic converter from honda. I did the same thing to my civic, I got the direct fit CA magnaflow cat and it worked fine.

 

Will the cat specifiy "direct fit" on it? Does it have to be specifically for 2002 Accord EX, or would 1998-2002 direct fit work?

I realize these are probably some pretty obvious answers, but I'm horrible with this crap.

 

Magnaflow has various different types of catalytic converters. For my civic I had to make sure it was OK for California Emissions, so I had to look for that specific cat. And I didn't want the hassle of having it welded on so I got the direct fit which is basically unbolting the old catalytic converter and bolting in the new one.

If you're not in California, there is a 49 state legal, direct fit catalytic converter for your 02 accord sedan (I'm assuming it's the I4 engine).

 

I'm in California as well, so I'll need something specific for CA emissions. Did you order yours through a specific website that you'd recommend?

 

I ordered mine through Autoanything.com You might want to check personally, as I didn't find the catalytic converter available specific to your vehicle (under California Emissions)

 

Would this one work?
http://www.converterwarehouse.com/ca...roductID=42566

 

Seems to be the best price for your application. I've never ordered from that site before, so I'm not sure if it's a reliable site to order from.

Other places that sell cat converters for your specific vehicle are running around the 350-400 dollar range for CA specific I4 converters.

 

I'm going to dig around a little more this afternoon and post anything else I come across. I appreciate all the help, thank you!

 

http://jbkperformance.com/magnaflow/.../i-153176.aspx

I'm not sure if this one is better than the last one I posted. Do I need to order gaskets and such, too? Or just the cat converter?

 

Can I use this on my 4 cyl car, or is it only for V6? It doesn't say.
http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts...&from_search=1

 

i've bought 3 of the magnaflow cats in the last 2 years. all go bad within a year. i also replaced the o2 sensors at the same time just to be sure. still, they are crap. saw an OEM GENUINE cat on ebay a while back and wish now that i had bought it for just a little more, new in box. i would wait for HONDA parts on ebay new in box at 200-250. now i have to buy another one anyway....