I have a 01 Coupe 4 cyl with 210k and need a new cat. I am overwhelmed with the right cat for this type of mileage. I do not want to spend 1k on a cat to last 10 years but I dont want something to only last a year.

Ideas on how to approach this decision?

 

If you have to pass emissions then OEM is really the only way to go. The aftermarket/hi-flow cats MIGHT pass emissions but, don't a lot of times. OEM are $500 here: http://www.hondapartscheap.com/index...EXHAUST%20PIPE Labor at the muffler shop should be about $100.

 

A few years ago, my wifes Mazda was having emissions issues due to a dying catalyst I picked up a direct fit unit from CatCo. This was prior to the new law that required the CA mushroom stamp of approval for catalysts. That was ~'06 had a Smog test a few months ago and passed no problem.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MP...RD&prefilter=1

If a 'shitty' CatCo catalyst can last this long in 'strict' CA then a Magnaflow unit should last you a millennia. PB blaster a couple of gaskets and ~1hr of your time you will be good to go.

BTW you may want to hurry, looks like Magnaflow has released a new 49 state catalyst #46642($380.71), the CA unit is #46615I($380.71), and the old 49 state unit is #22642($166.94).