i own a 96 4door sedan honda civic LX, after a lotta research and 3 visits to the shop i believe a have a messed up cat...
Bottom line is: they are charging me an incredible $500 for the part only , without any labor, labor alone would be $130, i have gone to autozone and ebay,price ranges from $189 to $400 for the part.
The mechanic advised me i would find cheaper parts at autozone as well as online which i did, but he said they are shitty and he would not give me warranty on the job, i could buy it and he'd install it no problem , but no warranty on the job at all, so... I am here for some insight, can you guys tell me where to buy something that is good and not gonna cost me an eye or a leg? Also i was thinking i could put it in myself and save the labor $ , it seems pretty easy bolt-in and all , so please help me out. Anything is greatly appreciated.
Dan.

 

The mechanic is 100% correct. (considering Im a mechanic) autozone,advance,et. they most of the time sell cheaper qaulity exhaust parts resulting in possible issues in the future. Find out which one they are using. Walker is a good brand. If you do go through the shop just make sure there not just picking up one from advance themselves and telling you its from the dealer. most shops do that...

It can be easy. even easier If you have a lift, a cut of wheel/torch incase the bolts are rusted, you break a bolt, etc.

 

the cheaper autozone have is a "Dorman" one it costs $230 while the walker one costs in the same website $522

 

dorman is ok, but Ive had issues and warranty claims with them in the pass. Its 50/50 in my opinion.

\Lets back track, whats wrong with the car, driveability issues?

 

No, it just had the engine light on ,the codes: P1298 and P0420 indicated that i suppose, i did notice some loss of power tough.

 

i was thinking i could buy one of those $189 from ebay

 

p1298 is an electrical load issue. these civics have issues with the harness rubbing against the intake manifold or the brace holding it under the manifold. if the harness is ok, then it could be a whole plethora of things.

yea, p0420 is a cat. code.... best thing to do is just replace it.... orrrrrr just delete it. Its not needed. unless you need it for emissions. either way there are ways around buying a new cat and still getting through emissions.

 

just found this im gonna try it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYVWmQE5tDk

 

i am definitely interest in details about deliting it/...but the down side is my car would still suffer loss of power right ...?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiE

 

For your car it is a cat and headers together that is why it is expensive, is he pricing Honda parts?

I would source one on your own, don't do a ebay one, get one from Advance or Auto zone, get a doorman, or walker etc, brand name and take a chance.

Most of the time they only give you a year warranty on labor anyway.

$130 labor is a decent price.

 

Oh yea, forgot you said LX. only way to delete it is get a header. a ebay header is still cheaper than a cat.

 

Different car, for HX, plus the battery is in the front, not sure of what year that is.

 

lets say i buy a dorman, how long should i expect it to work well for? shoot me a number , average, and is it possible to install it myself, or thats very complicated to get done?

 

so another option is also to buy the 2 parts separately ?

 

years...

No a ebay header is one piece and takes the place of the factory manifold.

 

I would say 5 or more years, depending where you live.

You can but if the nuts are rusted you will have problems, need a torch and a lift (can prob do without lift, but makes it much easier).

Go with aftermarket, and have him do it for $130, if that is what he will charge, sometimes they jack up labor if you bring your own parts.

 

i have spoken to him on that he will keep his $130 price, the nuts are very rusted , so i think im gonna ask him to make it an even $100 and we are all happy. rs...

i was surprised , that will last me a long time, i dont even plan on keeping the car for this long... or not, who knows.... thanks man

and i live in Massachusetts

 

what about these ones?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Civic-...item43ab0fc535

http://www.discountcatalyticconverte...nts=partfinder

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/CatalyticCo...FQ1x5QodszUEpw

 

It is worth it, do not bypass the cat, you will get codes, car might not run right. People bypass cats if there are running track etc. i know some say it does not matter, for street use keep the cat.

 

can you take a look at the links above and tell me what you think?

thanks a bunch