Universal Catalytic Converters?

[7thDimension]

My cats are rattling, and I barely passed smog last time, I live in California. I am going to need new ones, and since universal cats are much cheaper, I was wondering if I could go that route. How do I size them? Will I pass CA smog with non-oem spec cats? (I live in San Jose if it matters)

[rdorman]

You will need someone in Cali to really answer your question but the universal ones are not Cali approved. http://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-94105-Universal-Catalytic-Converter/dp/B000COVGHK?tag=5336432695-20

Whether or not you can get away with it......?

[7thDimension]

I've seen some carb compliant cats on amazon, but I was wondering if I had to use oem-spec converters here in cali... And how to get the right size ones for my car. I was planning to cut the old ones off and use clamps to put the new ones on, thats ok for smog as long they don't leak, right?

[AlexDj]

I gonna be selling my oem cats no cutting or welding required for 740's
u can pm me

[justanewbie]

OEM over universal any day, for me.

[7partsonly]

I can magnoflows cheap let me know if u need them..

[WarMachine7]

Whats the difference? Just bolt on ability?

WAR MACHINE

[dantheman67]

Hey,

I live like an hour away from SJ! What's up

Magnaflow cats are great stuff. Universal means it's just the actual catalytic converter, about a foot long and you take it to any old exhaust shop and they weld it in. The V8s require 2 of them so you buy two, and have the shop weld 'em in. I bought the Magnaflow 36005's for my old E34 540i, they're CARB compliant too so you'll pass the visual inspection (if your smog tech bothers checking those ;-) ) as well as the tailpipe test. Non-universal is like, the catalytic converter + all the piping it's attached to up to the flanges. So you can technically install it yourself, but it's much more expensive than buying the universal ones and paying to have em welded in. I think I paid $110 per cat for my 36005s, x2 so $220, plus $150 for the shop to weld em in. Done deal. They worked great for the year and a half I owned that car.

Check out Magnaflow's website for more info:
http://www.magnaflow.com/02converters.asp

[7thDimension]

Hey,

I live like an hour away from SJ! What's up

Magnaflow cats are great stuff. Universal means it's just the actual catalytic converter, about a foot long and you take it to any old exhaust shop and they weld it in. The V8s require 2 of them so you buy two, and have the shop weld 'em in. I bought the Magnaflow 36005's for my old E34 540i, they're CARB compliant too so you'll pass the visual inspection (if your smog tech bothers checking those ;-) ) as well as the tailpipe test. Non-universal is like, the catalytic converter + all the piping it's attached to up to the flanges. So you can technically install it yourself, but it's much more expensive than buying the universal ones and paying to have em welded in. I think I paid $110 per cat for my 36005s, x2 so $220, plus $150 for the shop to weld em in. Done deal. They worked great for the year and a half I owned that car.

Check out Magnaflow's website for more info:
http://www.magnaflow.com/02converters.asp

Thanks for the info :), can I use exhaust clamps instead of getting them welded in?

[dantheman67]

Thanks for the info :), can I use exhaust clamps instead of getting them welded in?

I don't know what an exhaust clamp is. Besides, do you really want to deal with exhaust leaks? And before all that, you'll still need to cut the old unit out.

[WarMachine7]

Exhaust clamps should work if you have the right fit cat right? I would rather do that then wrap the ends so no leak, but thats just my thought, is this possible?

WAR MACHINE

[7thDimension]

I don't know what an exhaust clamp is.

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=15726841

[dantheman67]

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=15726841

None of the products on that page appear to have any sealing quality. Even if you do manage to cut out your old cat (do you have the tools to do that? I believe the exhaust pipes are steel btw), you're still going to have to get the new one in. How are you going to do that and not have a leak? It's metal-to-metal.

Seriously you guys. Find the $100 - $150 and have the shop do it. This is what exhaust & muffler shops do. Universal cats have to be welded in.

[7thDimension]

…if you do manage to cut out your old cat (do you have the tools to do that? I believe the exhaust pipes are steel btw)...How are you going to do that and not have a leak? It's metal-to-metal.

Yes, I have the tools to cut exhaust (sawzall?). They make a sealant paste to prevent leaks. I'm not worried about putting them on, but I'm not sure if you have to have the exhaust welded to pass the visual in ca.

[WarMachine7]

I knew there was a way, because having to weld in cats that are basically rentals cannot be the only way, im trying it and then ill let you guys know.

WAR MACHINE

[7thDimension]

I'm not sure if you have to have the exhaust welded to pass the visual in ca.

Do you?

[dannibach]

Hey guys. What about driving without the cat? I know about the law and stuff, but won't it give you some extra hp's??
/D

[Trackstr]

My cats are rattling, and I barely passed smog last time, I live in California. I am going to need new ones, and since universal cats are much cheaper, I was wondering if I could go that route. How do I size them? Will I pass CA smog with non-oem spec cats? (I live in San Jose if it matters)
I suggest useing some denatured alchol in the tank. Years ago and old man told be about this. I tried and within one day it stopped sputtering, and got better milage. Remember they get to keep your old one and recycle it for cash, Why pay when you can clean up and keep yours clean.

[sigtwenty]

California is the most worthless car hating place in the world. So assume that they need to be welded to be considered permanent.