essa

Hi,
I was told to replace the catalytic converter on my 05 C230K and I'm not going to replace it with the OEM because they just ridiculous expensive. I'm thinking of replacing it with any hi flow catalytic converter that can pass SMOG check and may result in a better performance.
Since I do not live in CA, what kind of after market converter can I use or you guys use?
Thank you.

josephpampliega

All the aftermarket cats I have encountered are not mandrel bent like the OE.

My suggestion would be to purchase comparable sized Stainless Steel Magnaflows and have a meticulous exhaust fabrication shop cut off old and TIG weld new cat in place while retaining as much of the OE piping possible.

bumpnzx3

I've had great luck with Random Technology cats in the past.

tommy

I've got a Magnaflow on my car; the P0420 error does pop up every so often; so far, I just clear it with my Scangauge II.

There's a fix that's spotty on it actually working; I haven't tried anything yet.

TemjinX2

i would double check your emissions warranty. I know in california, oem cats are suppose to be warranted for 8yrs or 80k..which ever comes first.

Glyn M Ruck

Aftermarket Cats are not a good idea on a Benz IMHO

tommy

Purist.

Live a little - clearing codes after every drive of over 3 hours is fun!

LinDenKid

Tommy , what kind of exhaust setup your running?

tommy

From front to back:

Green filter
Supersprint Header, hotcoated to reduce engine bay temps
Magnaflow cat
Eisenmann Race exhaust

Scarily loud; i'm going to have to look into doing something with the resonator to reduce the drone

CoupeCrazy03

Man I still got to hear this Im running almost the same setup except for the fact that my cat and header are Kleemann and my filter is K&N, and I don't think its that obnoxiously loud (sorry for the off topicness)

NegroC230

lol..Gutted cats, with Cherry bomb , magna flow and custom tip....that is scary, and sexy rally loud :P

Glyn M Ruck

Yes

While the primary O2 sensor controls the majority of fuel management the post Cat sensor still messes with the closed loop fuel trim if it detects a lack of efficiency in the Cat.

TemjinX2

ok i double checked. I was right, federal law saids all new cars after 1995 have emissions warranty on the cat for 8yrs or 80,000 miles. Just take to the mercedes dealership and have them fix it under warranty.

here's the print out from the epa.

http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt

Glyn M Ruck

That's it - PAPete did the same thing.

tommy

His car is six years old, so he's probably fairly close to the 80k limit.

As far as sound clip, I'll get to that when I do my siggy in the spring, assuming I remember.

PA_Pete

You bet! Good memory! Here's the link:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...n-ticking.html

essa

Close to 80K?!? Yeah right, I wish!!! My car is already at 95k. Still have another 5k under MB extended warranty but catalytic converter is not covered....go figured.

Anyway, thank you everyone for your input. You guys are awesome. It seems like magnaflow or random technology would do.

tommy

Yes, much cheaper; mine was 200-something installed for a universal; needed a bung welded on. The quote I got for an OEM one was $1350 if memory serves.

SeaCoupe

I had gotten a qoute like that. Sends shivers down the spine. I went with a Magnaflow. It was $400 installed. But, the piping is not manderel bent.

OneOfaKindTrini

If it weren't a Benz i'd tell you go put on a straight pipe, But it isn't. You can get a high flow cat from Random.

XsuperbeeX

so what if is a benz... somebody did it...