I need a new cat, the smog place I go to are on par with complete idiots and don't actually physically check it, they just mark it off on their list - I watch. But they aren't the type either to just pass it. I'm pretty broke currently so will a non carb legal cat work/perform the same as a regular legal cat?

Paid for my registration already, they won't send me the tags til I get it to pass smog and I've already gotten a ticket for no tags while it was just parked on the street. >.>

 

it'll probably still pass, but you'll have a hard time getting it shipped to your house once the seller/merchant figures out you're a cali address. there are places that sell ca legal cats for a good price (~$100) if you do a little homework and find them. kind of depends on what year your car is though....

 

Depends where you go and get it smogged but in CA non carb ones are illegal

Edit also look above, I forgot when I tried to buy a non carb cat a couple years ago no one would ship them to me

 

Loved to find one at that price... Every one I see is like $300

I know non carb are illegal.

 

Anyone know what the stock inlet/outlet size on our cats are? (car: '90 hatch)

 

The stock exhaust size is 2.0" Dia
Up until a few years ago the cats for civic were 50 state legal. California then passed a law that replacement cats for OBDI vehicles had to meet special CARB requirements. Basically before the law you could buy a cheap cat that would last maybe 50k. CARB wanted them to last long like 100k esentialy OBD II. Right at that time you could only get a CARB cat at the dealer for something like $500. The CARB cat has a number on it that the smog tech might look for. If your car had a replacement cat before that law went into effect you are legal as long as you pass the smog test (sniffer). The cheapest bolt in CARB cat I've come across is from SUMMIT P/N MPE-36304.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-36304/
You can probably find a cheaper one w/o the flanges but I don't want to deal with welding.
In the 13 years and 190k miles I've put on my 91 civic (total 330k) I've gone through 3 cats. This last cat (CARB from Summit) only goes on when I need to get the car smogged. After the test I took it off and put the old one back on. Cats get stolen ... somewhat often. If they get mine at least they get a worn out one.

 

The stock exhaust size is 2.0" Dia

 

I had the wrong link. The bolt in CARB cat is:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-36635/
It runs $257.58. The previous link was for the slip fit one which runs $209.12. That's the cheapest I've found. Before this law you could get a cat in California for ~$100

 

Up until a few years ago the cats for civic were 50 state legal. California then passed a law that replacement cats for OBDI vehicles had to meet special CARB requirements. Basically before the law you could buy a cheap cat that would last maybe 50k. CARB wanted them to last long like 100k esentialy OBD II. Right at that time you could only get a CARB cat at the dealer for something like $500. The CARB cat has a number on it that the smog tech might look for. If your car had a replacement cat before that law went into effect you are legal as long as you pass the smog test (sniffer).

 

The cheapest bolt in CARB cat I've come across is from SUMMIT P/N MPE-36304.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-36304/
You can probably find a cheaper one w/o the flanges but I don't want to deal with welding.

 

The cheapest CARB cat I've come across is from SUMMIT P/N MPE-36304. It's listed at $209 but it's a slip fit that needs to be welded.

 

The bolt on is P/N MPE-36635 and runs $257.58 That's the cheapest I've found. Before this law you could get a cat in California for ~$100
For some reason I can't post the links to the summit site.

 

In the 13 years and 190k miles I've put on my 91 civic EX (total 330k) I've gone through 3 cats. This last cat (CARB from Summit) only goes on when I need to get the car smogged. After the test I took it off and put the old one back on. Cats get stolen ... somewhat often. If they get mine at least they get a worn out one.

 

i know a place that will sell a carb legal cat by vibrant for about $80, shipped. the 2in and 2.25in are $80 (round or oval) and the 3in round or oval is $86. i've never ordered a catalytic converter from them, but i HAVE ordered suspension pieces. my car is due to smog next year and will need a new cat - the one currently is from an old tired motor that was replaced last year. the old motor fouled the old cat, but allowed me to pass by squeaking by less than 5 points from failing HC! it's a 2in in/out and i'm planning to put a 2.25 to better match my cat-back exhaust and dc header

 

interesting ... the vibrant site says they are epa and carb legal yet not for sale in california. another site (redlinemotion) has then but doesn't say anything about not selling in california.

 

just go to any muffler shop and they'll sell you a non carb cat for like $60 here in La or try ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Catco-Cataly...sories&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Walker-15051...sories&vxp=mtr

Edit: those ads don't say anything about NOT shipping to California so you're good and there less than $100

 

how can a catalytic converter be labeled as "c.a.r.b. legal", yet not for sale in california? lol, that makes no sense! think about it... c.a.r.b. stands for "california air resource bureau"... and is the ONLY other certification besides regular catalytic converter found in the other 49 states....

 

I know, you tell me. Here's the link:
http://vibrantperformance.com/catalo...roducts_id=847

 

Paid 150 out here in El Monte for a cat when my 89 civic si failed the smog check...this was last year

 

Magna flow sells a high flow c.a.r.b. legal cat for aound 190. Weld on.

 

i paid 120 for my cat in janruary, but then again... im a smog tech lol