For those who have had to have this done, what make and model of
cat did you use? The one from MB costs like 1200 or so, which is freakin'
ludicrous, and I'm being told by my local muffler shop, that they don't know of a universal thats approved in California (BS).

No way am I gonna pay 1200-1500 to get a freakin' cat!
Man, MB should be ashamed, but of course we know they're not,
they'll pound you in the **** till you bleed and ask for more.

I need this info ASAP! I don't care what state you live in!
My car is running like crap, and I'm afraid to drive it.

Help!

 

You should be able to get anotherone from a muffler shop for like $300-500.

jegs.com sells them for cheap too.

 

Why do you need to replace the cat already?

 

Got your msg, sorry, no reply.

You can get an aftermarket one for MUCH cheaper.

I had my cats done just after 100k. I got stocks, but during a under the table type deal.....

E

 

It's a done deal, muffler shop in San Jose did it for $300, a Magnaflow cat,
OBDII compatible etc. Running fine now.

I have 112K so it's not like it just happened. I tried to keep the old one, as I see them selling for scrap due to the precious metals contained within, for up to $200 for a Mercedes one on ebay! But he said, "thats how we stay in business, so I let it slide, + the fact that it was still too hot to touch
1/2 hour later.

 

Cat converter falls under the Emissions Warranty and it should be covered under the warranty. I had a 2002 CLK320, and I had mine replaced at 41,000miles. No charge. I am not sure about C classes, but there is a definate defect w/ CLK cats.

 

01 W203 C320 Sport. Just got both replaced just under the 7/70000 mile emisssions warranty.

Originally it was just the left bank that was defective, but luckily for me they replaced both left and right which is much better.

I did however first bring it to a private shop first to get the scoop b4 bringing it to the dealer which armed me with the peace of mind to insist that they focus on a certain area.

 

Well, guess what. I'm at 140K and change, and the Magnaflow is toast.
The internal biscuit is rattling. Less then 30K miles and it's done.

Now according to the new CA laws you're not supposed to install anything
not certified for the particular car, but I went to a shop thats trying to sell me
a "Centrex" cat originally intended for a 2000 C230, since they don't have a listing for a
2002. He also said he'd give me a 2 year warranty, $400.

What do you guys think?

 

\

I wouldn't install a non certified cat. It's probably highly unlikey anyone would check but if they did there's probably some law that gives you 10 years to life for doing it Besides doesn't MagnaFlow warrant their products for life? Did you check? If you read the new law on MagnaFlow's website http://www.car-sound.com/00home.asp I believe your car would be exempted from the new CARB for several reasons....beyond air emissions warranty and more than 70K miles on the clock. Unless I'm reading that wrong.

 

i got a generic universal cat replaced on my integra for $140 installed, i believe mine was a 2.5'' one. So long as its a real cat any cheap one should do the trick. Just remember to get the cat nice and hot before you test it.

 

^ solid intel from mleskovar and TemjinX2.

They are all pretty much capable of sufficiently scrubbing noxious tailpipe emissions...when they’re new.

CARB and EPA certification also specifically addresses their longevity which, as you and I have discovered, is frequently the economy brands’ shortcoming. When the GMC’s $79.99 AutoZone model-specific (3 inch!) lifetime replacement warranty piece hurled chunks prior to its most recent test, they furnished a new one OTC no questions asked. Because it’s still stock and never subjected to WOT, the 70k mile C blew ridiculously clean figures during its last certification inspection. OE catalytic converters are remarkably stout and effective when subjected to proper fueling ratios, but it shouldn’t be necessary that one take out a second mortgage to replace them.

https://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/Sta...tConvMar05.pdf

Summit and Jegs can furnish a very reasonable tax-free cat, i.e., less than $100. How well are your reciprocating saw and oxy-acetylene torch working? Not sure how long you intend to keep the Coupe, but the cash only shop on the other side of town can fit a universal replacement - suitable for any budget - in order to keep Sacramento satiated this time ‘round.

They’re likely your best value to remain a responsible green citizen.

 

I'm confused...
Sacatamato?
You know I'm near the beach right?
Like the 'other' "surf city USA"?

Hmmmm....I think I'll just call you....you're saying you picked one up from 'the zone' for 80 bucks thats OBD2 compliant? And when it blew up the honored the warranty even though it wasn't in the correct vehicle?
I suppose they didn't know it wasn't in the correct vehicle?
Did they do the install?
ah.....OTC...uh huh...ok no install eh?
Just return the old one eh?
So what model GMC did you specify?
And I need a 2.5", the piping is already in place.

 

Hi I have for sale two Factory M271 c230 exhaust manifold with cat if anyone wants? 100.00 with PLUS shipping. One is off my car when I bought new headers 25k on it. Other I belive is a 2005. less than 30k also .

 

Mixing metaphors while consuming California grapes seldom results in comprehensible posts.
Sacramento = DMV car tax paid for registration renewal.

The only cat I replaced was on the GMC; the four on the MB are still going strong.
I’m resonably sure that with your Supersprint its cat would likely be found under the “other universal replacements” category in the various manufacturer's catalogs.

My smog check guy has never asked for CARB and EPA exemption/compliance documentation - which I have - for any of the hot rod parts my cars.
Even the truck, with ~215k miles, emits less than 20% of the allowable standards. Doing my share to clean the air.

The gist of it was that $400 seemed too much to pay for a $100 part and an hour of muffler shop time.

 

I've been doing a little research and found out some things.
For one, a big part of the recent push of CA with the new laws etc.
is to force the aftermarket mfg's of Cats to make ones that don't fry in 20K miles like mine did.
I have a magnaflow 43006 universal which doesn't appear to be available any more,
and as well it shouldn't.
Magnaflow lists 2 newer models both warrantied for 50K miles or 5 years.
Even better then the 2 year the guy was offering at the shop.
Sounds good so far.
Looking in their catalog and on ebay I found 2 equivalent CARB OBDII compliant units that appear nearly identical. I really can't tell the difference.

They are the 45006 which is spec'd for big *** vehicles like Escalades and such,
so it should be a shoe in for my car no?
I found it here for a mere $119 !!
http://www.autocom.com/prod_1919127.html

Another one also 2.5" is the MAGNAFLOW 41406 CALIFORNIA 2.5" CATALYTIC CONVERTER
As here on ebay currently

The dimensions appear identical, I can't tell the difference.
The 41406, they don't say much on the magnaflow site.
http://www.car-sound.com/02product/d...niversal=41405
They list a bunch of mid size engine, and small V8's as compatible.

The 45006 shown here
http://www.car-sound.com/02product/d...niversal=45006
lists some larger engines and vehicles right up to 2006 and
a Hummer H2 approved for CA all the way up to 2003!

Now all this being said, normally it would be a 2" connection but the place I bought my last one put in a 2.5" without me asking. So, I have to go with what will fit.
The 45006 looks like a steal at $119 and easily less than 100 to install assuming I can find someone to do it.

So I wonder, what the difference? Would the one designed for "medium to large" size engine, like the
45006 be the way to go? That tends to imply to me, it's designed for better flow and heat? But what do I know. And the price is good...

OK, so also there's these ones on ebay
This one has to be junk at $35
2.5" Catalytic Converter High Flow Thunderbolt OBDII
and then this one
2.5" Goerlich Catalytic Converter True OBDII - 608226 from AP Exhaust.
AP seems to be a legit company out of NC, I noticed it has the 02 bung, which I don't need.
Luckily I have a fitting from my header that should screw right in if I went that way.

OK, well here's all the info...opinions please?
I'm wondering about the $35 one, and if I went with the Magnaflow one, which one, or would it make a difference?
My last cat ran hot, the metal turned slightly purple, so something designed for a bigger motor might be the call?

UPDATE: Well, it appears "OBDII" compliant is not the same as CA compliant.
I went to apexhaust.com and downloaded the catalog and for the 608226 there isn't one application that approved in CA, whereas the Magnaflow is.

Still I wonder which one should I go with of the 2? The dimensions appear identical.
Update...again: The dimension on the 41406 aren't clear. It looks round almost.
The 45006 matches my current dimension exactly, so looks like I have a winner!
134 with shipping, no tax + $75 to install.


Just curious, if using a cat designed for a large motor would in any way be a bad thing
on my little 2.3L SC'd 4 ?????

 

Wow , its tough in CA , magnaflow its a good brand, had mine replaced on my previous car (accord),lasted 65k mi till it went bad. So basically a shop in CA , Would not change it,if its not OEM?.. I really dont know the quality of a $35 CAT, but i would not waste time or money replacing it , they'll charge you more to change it, than the actual CAT right?

 

Most muffler shops will weld whatever you tell them to, no questions asked.
Just point.

 

Well, I went ahead and ordered the magnaflow 45006.
http://www.autocom.com/prod_1919127.html
I had sent them a couple emails with no answer, and was concerned, that they
were an 'autocon' ha...
but after searching, I found they had an ebay store, and do tons of business,
with a 99.8% pos. rating.
I confirmed with the muffler shop I bought my old one at, that this is the new
replacement for the old one. Supposedly designed to last longer.
He had kindly offered to replace it for 275, giving me $100 credit on the old one,
instead of 375.
Looks like I"ll be out the door for less than 200 by doing it this way.


So it appears, like many online stores, they operate almost on automatic, with the
orders going directly to warehouses.
FYI- For most of you, you would not use this 45006, you would use the 45004.
When I had my last cat put in, they put in one with 2.5" pipe, and had to do some bending. So, I'm getting the same size again, so it will cut down on install time.
Likely I'll only need 1/2 hour of time since the dimensions are the same.

 

Muffler shop I go to will do a cat for $150-180. They don't recomend the Magnaflow, but it's pretty cheap, about $50 for cat and $100 labor to cut out the old cat, weld the new one in.

 

50 for the cat in CA?
I didn't see those price anywhere for the carb approved version..
Just came in the mail today, but too late to get it welded in.
Surfs up and it's a Friday...so it goes when you live near the ocean.

 

I replaced my secondary cat with a MagnaFlo. I got it from a guy on the forum for like $50

 

Dammit, went the the shop today to get the 45006 welded in and it's too big diameter., The last guy who put one in was wrong when he told me he put a 2.5" 43006 in there and the 45006 is the direct replacement.

So, since they'd already cut the old one out, they put a test pipe in....for free!
Sounds like crap.
The old one, one side was ok, and the other, there was barely anything left of the
biscuit. I wonder if all that crap is clogging up my Remus muffler?

So, put an email in the guy at autocom.com who has been real good to work with.
Send it back, get the right one.

Sorry, but there aren't any carb approved cats for 50 bucks.

 

^ya I dont think I'll pass smog when I have to do it.....I need to find a guy to just sign it off

 

Hello just new here. Hope to stay long. Thanks

 

Sorry for my ignorance, I really need help. I was confused if the magnaflow catalytic converter is pretty good?and also where to buy? I do some searched, inguiry and I tried it here
Magnaflow Catalytic Converter . Anyone tried it here.? Any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.