’99 Honda Accord, 4 cylinder, ~ 118,000 miles, LEV (not California)

I need a new catalytic converter. I checked with the dealer, an OEM cat runs $673 plus tax. My usual mechanic quoted me a price of $450 installed (not sure which cat). Midas Muffler quoted me a price of $350 installed (again, not sure which cat).

Autozone quoted me a price of $358 for a direct fit Magnaflow cat, or $222 for a universal cat that I might need an adapter to get to fit.

At this point I’m looking at the direct fit Magnaflow cat for $358 plus tax from Autozone and just doing it myself. Does anybody have any experience with this Magnaflow cat? Any other recommendations? Since I’ll be doing the work myself I would prefer a direct-fit cat (brackets on the front and back and I assume the same length).

 

Just get a universal cat. That should be the one that Midas offers. Plus if they do the work its warrantied. Dont do it yourself

 

At this point I'm thinking about replacing the cat as well as the cat-back exhaust system (resonator, a pipe, and the muffler). I'd like the Magnaflow system but it's a little too pricey:

Magnaflow Cat: $350 (Autozone)
Magnaflow Cat-back Exhaust: $715
Total: $1055 plus tax.

What I'm now looking at is a Bosal cat for $231 (Autozone again). How good are the Bosal cats? Basically I'm wanting a good quality cat, as defined by being able to pass emmissions (though I'm not subject to emmission testing), no check engine light, and lasting a good long time.

Anyway, under this system:

Bosal cat (direct fit): $231
Cat-back exhaust (Maremont?): $69 + $28 + $113 = $210 (Autozone)
Total: $441 plus tax.

O'Reilly's also had a cat-back exhaust for around $220.

So... how's the Bosal cat?

And I'll be doing the work myself - I've done exhaust work before.

 

You may want to shop around more...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-16058/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CTO-4233/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-22642/

Although I would stick with a Walker(Dynomax) or Magna Flow.

 

Go to a hole in the ground muffler shop, take a peek at the catalogs they've got sitting around the counter area and find out who the local distributor is. Call the local distributor, buy a cat from them, then run down to any small shop and have them weld it on for $30-$40.00.

First time I ever went to a muffler shop, I did this and ended up getting a full bolt-on OEM catback system for my 92 Civic from the local muffler supply company; total cost was like $95.00 and I installed it myself. I bought a universal cat from the same place for $40.00 and a pair of flanges for it, then paid a muffler shop to weld the flanges onto the cat, then bolt it on.

 

magna flow

 

OBD2 vehicles are very sensitive in changes to the cat. Cheap cats use less of the precious metals required for catalyst event. A cheap cat will set a P0420 in as little time as 6 months to a year. A better cat (such as Magnaflow) will last around 5 years or so. An OE cat will last about 8+ years.

 

L

 

"A cheap cat will set a P0420 in as little time as 6 months to a year. A better cat (such as Magnaflow) will last around 5 years or so. An OE cat will last about 8+ years."


What is the price difference between a cheap cat and an OE cat?

 

The reason I ask is because the mechanic I took my car to quoted me a price of $1200 to replace a catalytic converter.

 

Bosal, Walker, Catco, NGK, Magnaflow, eBay, etc

Shop around, Summit Racing is a good start as mentioned earlier.

 

A lot has changed in CA regarding Cats since that post. Only OE or CARB approved cats can be used on OBD 2 vehicles now. $1200 sounds about right for a shop installed dealer cat. There are cheaper CARB approved alternatives. Search the internet.

 

All CARB certified cats have a minimum 5 year warranty on them. It's been this way since 2009

http://www.walkerexhaust.com/support...ion-guidelines

WALKER® EXHAUST SYSTEMS: California-Compliant Installation Requirements
Effective January 1, 2009, new aftermarket catalytic converters sold or installed in California must be designed to meet the following requirements:
Aftermarket converters are required to last for 5 years / 50,000 miles.
Aftermarket converters for newer vehicles must be compatible with OBDII catalyst monitors. This includes making sure converters won’t cause false catalyst codes, while also making sure that the OBDII system will continue to set a catalyst fault code if the aftermarket converter fails.
The warranty must be for 5 years / 50,000 miles and cover the cost of parts and labor if replacement is needed.

To the newer poster, Advanced Auto normally carries a wide range of carb certified cats at good prices. They normally have coupon codes as well. Also any exhaust shop should have no issues getting one at a good price, maybe around $300-400 installed.

 

Am I the only one who noticed this thread.. is from 2011?

 

Probably, I couldn't start a thread since I'm new. Just needed to get my question in here.