exhaust/cat converter options

[drem914]

Well I had and normal oil service yesterday (85,000 mi) and got a confirmation for the sound my exhaust was making. Apparently my front cat converters are going out. They have that rattling and sputtering sound. I don't have any codes coming up yet. I still have time for a solution and am trying to see what is the better way to go.

Since the fronts are part of the headers I have a couple of suggestions:

1. Replace the front cats and headers with clean stainless headers and hook them up to new rear cats and the existing.

2. Replace the front cats and headers with new cats and headers, install the rear cat bypass pipes and connect to the existing exhaust.

First of all can I do option one without error codes? That will let me know if this is even an option.

Any suggestions from the fine people on here if this is even a good idea or am I creating more problems for my self as far as performance issues, mileage or damage to the the exhaust. This is my daily driver and want to keep it as trouble free as possible. If option one is possible any recommendations on suppliers for new headers and the rear cats?

Thanks,

[mikefocke]

You are in CA

what is going to pass their smog test? Don't they look for non-stock alterations there? Start pricing replacements off a wreck.

http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/listsofsources

[drem914]

You are in CA

what is going to pass their smog test? Don't they look for non-stock alterations there? Start pricing replacements off a wreck.

http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/listsofsources

Yes they do, but only if it is obvious. If there are cats in place like the secondaries with proper sensor wires leading from them, there are no CELs going off on the car and the motor is operating within acceptable emission limits you will appear to be compliant.

[grover]

Since the fronts are part of the headers I have a couple of suggestions:

1. Replace the front cats and headers with clean stainless headers and hook them up to new rear cats and the existing.

2. Replace the front cats and headers with new cats and headers, install the rear cat bypass pipes and connect to the existing exhaust.

How about:

3. Replace the front cats with turbos :jump:

Edited March 25, 2009 by grover