HeroJr Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Hey all! I am going to be going for an inspection soon and I want to add a universal catalytic convertor to my car. When I bought the car, the previous owner had put on a 2.5 exhaust and removed any catalytic convertors. Currently I only have to pass the visual inspection. I don't mind also passing the actual "sniffer" test, either. If I am going to buy and install a catalytic convertor, it should work anyway. I checked on Magnaflow's site and it looks like I can buy a universal catalytic convertor, OBD-II, with no 02 sensor ports, with a 2.5" inlet and outlet, for $107. The OBD-I version is $104, so I might as well get the OBD-II. My questions are two-fold - since the exhaust has been enlarged to a 2.5" (meaning I can't just buy the OEM pre-cat and cat), can I just run one OBD-II catalytic convertor and pass emissions? Any other general advice? Please don't tell me just to skip putting on a catalytic convertor. I understand that people don't like them, but I've done a fair amount of reading on them generally, and it looks like a newer cat should work just fine for my car. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuGG Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I went with an OBD I cat. http://www.verociousmotorsports.com/Shop-by-Category/Catalytic-Converters/Metal-Core-High-Flow-Catalytic-Converter Its a metal core instead of ceramic and flows more. I passed the emissions test with just this cat in a 2.5 system. Running a GM Maf and the EGR disabled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESIrType? Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Bobby, I started replying to your email last night. Sorry I didn't finish it. Honestly I wouldn't worry about it. Most shops here aren't going to check it. I have my guy we can go to. I will go with you when you are ready. There's also another shop close to me that will take care of it. Here we don't have to worry about a sniffer test, and most shops don't lift the car. I don't know what the difference between an OBDI and OBDII cat is. This is the first I heard about it. All the cat is doing, is super heating the inside of the cat to burn off emissions. You're car isn't offensive with the smell at idle. My m3 with a cat has a stronger smell than your car at idle (it's the tune).I honestly wouldn't worry about it. But if you want to put a cat on, I can weld it in place if you want. I spliced a cat on my Starion, because we had an emissions scare in Pennsylvania at the time. I ended up clamping it on so I could run a test pipe. Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotStock88 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 nothing wrong with wanting to be legal! when i was living in an area where they had e-check they would never visually inspect but when i failed the sniffer test, i would go to advance auto parts and buy a bottle of that stuff "guaranteed to pass emissions" (cant remember name off hand) and it worked like a charm every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC_99 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Hey Bobby, what Shawn said is spot on from what Ive dealt with. I have a guy also that is SQ friendly and I can go with you also if needed and Shawn isnt available. LMK if I can help at all. BC_99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cloud81918 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 I'm running a Magnaflow spun SS cat. You'll want to match the type of metal your's is made out of if you are just cutting and welding it in. Don't worry about a cat being OBD2. I say buy one with good flow. Running a cat is a good idea. A good one doesn't hurt you too much and makes the air nicer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeroJr Posted March 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Thanks to everyone for their replies and information! This online community and my Charlotte community (ESI-RType? and BC_99) are what keeps me going with this car. Shawn and Britt, technically I need to get this done by March 15th as my registration was up in February. After I get the inspection done, I can let the car sit until they mail me the new sticker. I did that with my Ford Escort, and it came in a week or so later. So, I was thinking of taking it to get inspected Wednesday the 13th or Friday the 15th. I don't think I have time to get a cat on before then really, but I can put one on this Spring or Summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC_99 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Let me know when you want to do it and I can give you my guys name and number, or I can just give him a call and let him know you are coming by, and you can go whenever would be easiest for you, or get hooked up with Shawn and his guy as it might be closer for you. Either way, just let me know how I can help out. As far as metals are concerned, it is easier to weld like metals (stainless to stainless or mild to mild) but welding a stainless cat into a mild steel exhaust wont be a problem either. I have done many stainless tips on mild steel exhausts, its just fine with the right welder. Let me know when you want to do that, i should have a lift installed in the shop in the next few weeks, which would make that chore alot easier. We can just have shawn come over and do the work while we watch. Cheers, BC_99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 (edited) http://www.summitrac...parts/cto-6906r http://www.summitrac...6r/media/images http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/cto-6906r_w.jpg Large Image $44.95 http://www.summitracing.com/images/button-add-compare.gif Catalytic Converter, Stainless Steel, Universal, 2.5 in. Inlet/Outlet, 12.75 in. Length, EachCheck Application Edited March 8, 2013 by importwarrior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeroJr Posted March 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 Britt, you're having a lift put in?! That's sweet! I'm glad I've stayed on your good side! I think I will go to a place Shaun recommended next week. If that plan changes I can text you for your recommendation. importwarrior - thanks for the links to some recommended cats... BTW, are there any pics of your Fiji? I was looking for threads of your car and didn't know where it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 (edited) i used a 3 inch catco cat for over 6 years and never had any issues.i believe Coke AKA Justin still had it on the car till the end in pigeon forge.passed smog with flying colors. Edited March 8, 2013 by importwarrior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESIrType? Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 We can just have shawn come over and do the work while we watch. Cheers, BC_99 Ha ha, yeah I just saw this. It wouldn't be the first it happened to me. Not from HeroJr though. Beer me (craft beer) and I'm down with it. Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 most guys over look the fact that the factory exh was not a redigt mount, i'd strongly sugest installing a flex section with bolt on plates ahead of the cat , just after the down pipe flatens out towards the rear of the car ,,this flex takes a huge load off of the turbo and exh manifold as the engine rotates under load Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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