Member
Today I was driving my '97 e36 M3. As it is an ongoing project, I usually don't drive it crazy hard but since it had been running well I pushed it a little extra today. Ended up cracking my catalytic converter.
As a quick fix I thought I could just straight pipe it but upon further research I found this was illegal in pretty much as 50 states (I am in Texas). I plan on keeping this car for a while and plan on moving with the next two years to a different states. What would be my best bet on fixing this? I currently can't afford to buy an OEM cat so anything more budget friendly would be great.
Thanks
Wagon meister :)
BMW Tech Expert
Welcome to the Forum!
You can always have a look at aftermarket cats, as they would be about half the cost. Or take a look around Ebay to see if you can find something used for half of that. The other option is to just take it to a muffler shop and get a quote on what they would charge to put in a 50-state legal cat.
Not sure your car has an Inspection or Smog test, if not then technically you could cut it out and just put a mid-pipe resonator in. I would check with your local laws to see what is legal or not first.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
Member
Darin, technically it’s against federal law to sell used catalytic converters in the US!
OP, I’d definitely go with a quality aftermarket cat and have a reputable shop weld it in place.
Jbird
If the crack is in a spot that's is easy to weld, then weld it it should also be stainless steel
Member
Appreciate the welcome and reply! Kinda hoping I can put in a resonator since it'll be cheaper short term but I'll have to further check the legality.
- - - Updated - - -
Honestly that's a good idea. I haven't been able to drop the exhaust yet but it's something like that, it'll hopefully be a quick fix.
Member
BMW Tech Expert
any quality exhaust shop should be able to handle this easily - especially if your car has spent its life in the south....
there's no need to get rid of the cat - it serves a critical purpose (as we're all aware).
'95 325iS - auto to manual swap done!
Member
BMW Tech Expert
Measure the diameter of the exhaust pipe before and after the cat. Go to Summitracing.com and find a Magnaflow high performance spiral-wound cat of the correct diameter (about $70 to $100), and have a local exhaust shop weld it in.
Chris Powell
Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
BMWCCA 274412
German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471
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BMW Tech Expert
Exactly.Originally Posted by bmwdirtracer
'95 325iS - auto to manual swap done!
Member
Chris comes through as always!!
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