Universal cat, pita or not

[Nick R]

So since my car apparently needs a new catalytic converter, my dad without consulting me, went on amazon and bought a $80 Magnaflow universal that says "fits" my car. Not the direct fit. I'm concerned that...

a. It won't have a hole for O2 sensor
b. It won't bolt in, and we will have to do tube cutting, welding and who knows what else.

Am I just worrying over nothing? The direct fit is $140 from amazon.

 

[The_Jeff]

You more than likely have the hole, probably with a bung in it you can unscrew.

I got a universal a while back and just had to sawzall and use muffler clamps, but it was OBD-I and no rear o2.

 

[Dave Hess]

Any muffler shop can weld the Cat and do the sensor

 

[StevieC]

You should be fine from an emissions standpoint and an OEM requirements stand point.

I have done lots like this.

Brazing with a Acetylene torch and a coat hanger as a brazing rod.

 

[beast3300]

The universal may or may not have a hole in it. However you should have the O2 in the same position it was in for the stock. So the stock O2 is a few inches after the cat, you would leave the plug in the O2 hole (if equipped). That's if the universal has a O2 bung welded in the shell.

A direct fit would be a little more convenient but a universal can be used.

 

[mechanicx]

Well hopefully it is as good quality and durable as the OE. I think it might be too much trouble trying to unbolt and put a direct fit in anyway. It probably will need to be cut out and the new converter welded in at a muffler shop anyway.

 

[bdcardinal]

You guys are lucky they will ship cats to you. California will not allow universal cats to be shipped or sold. Everything, OBD1 and 2 must be CARB approved or OEM.

 

[sciphi]

Exhaust pipe clamps and tailpipe expanders...You can do it that way. I'd pay a shop to weld the new cat in, or weld it myself. Likely won't be more than $50 for somebody on a slow day.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I checked the cost of CARB approved or OEM cats for '94 LS400 and '00 E430, they are expensive. Both of them need 2 and more than $600 each.

 

[beanoil]

Universals are just that, universal. It will fit everything, with a little work. Should be no problem for a muffler shop, some trouble for an average backyard mechanic. For your rear O2 sensor, just weld in a spark plug anti-fouler from any of the chain stores if there is no bung available in the cat. Works fine, I've done several this way. I cut the tapered end off, or some folks drill them out. Make sure the tip of the O2 sensor is well into the exhaust stream. Cats don't fail often. Is there something that toasted it? Any codes? Burning a lot of oil?

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
You guys are lucky they will ship cats to you. California will not allow universal cats to be shipped or sold. Everything, OBD1 and 2 must be CARB approved or OEM.


I think the "universal" discussed here is the bare cat without flange and the installer must remove the old flange and weld it on the new one, not the non California CARB/OEM certified cat.

 

[MrCritical]

Warranty is usually 60-90 days vs 12 months for OEM. If you get a year out of it, consider yourself lucky.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
Warranty is usually 60-90 days vs 12 months for OEM. If you get a year out of it, consider yourself lucky.


I've got great life out of my Magnaflow CAT's actually.

 

[StevieC]

I have not replaced a Cat on any of my vehicles from the OEM one that came with them unless the vehicle was previously abused before I got it.

Santa Fe is Original at over 320K KM's (192K miles) and blows 0's on the emission machines when I'm experimenting with it on the gas analyzer for other reasons.

Steve

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
You guys are lucky they will ship cats to you. California will not allow universal cats to be shipped or sold. Everything, OBD1 and 2 must be CARB approved or OEM.


I think the "universal" discussed here is the bare cat without flange and the installer must remove the old flange and weld it on the new one, not the non California CARB/OEM certified cat.


Which are still not allowed in CA because they must be direct fit with no modifications required to install.

 

[The_Jeff]

Performance Exhaust LIFETIME Warranty

The manufacturer warrants that all Magnaflow Performance products are free from defects. Most of our mufflers* are warranted against blowouts and defects in material and workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the vehicle on which it was originally installed. The warranty is void if the muffler is not installed properly on the vehicle for which it is designed.

This warranty does not apply to any muffler which has been installed on any commercial or racing vehicle or which has been improperly installed, altered, or subjected to misuse or damage from accidents. Also, cost of labor and any additional parts required to complete installation of a replacement muffler are not covered by this warranty.

The warranty certificate, along with proof of purchase, MUST be presented to the service outlet from which you originally purchased the muffler, or any participating dealer, when making a claim for replacement. The original muffler must also be returned and exchanged for a new muffler of the same part number.

No other warranty, expressed or implied (including merchantability), applies to the mufflers, nor is any person or the manufacturer authorized to assume any other warranty. The manufacturer does not assume any responsibility for any consequential damages occasioned by the muffler, or inconvenience or interruption in any operation.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

*MagnaFlow's XL Series muffler/exhaust, catalytic converter, and titanium exhaust line carries a limited warranty.

-----------------------




Any new catalytic converter sold which meets EPA requirements must be properly labeled and warranted to meet the Federal Durability and Performance Standards Act. New after market catalytic converters must have a 5 year / 50,000 mile warranty on the converter shell, casing and end pipes and a 25,000 mile warranty on the converter insides or substrate. It must meet all EPA's emission Performance Standards when the vehicle is properly used and maintained.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
I have not replaced a Cat on any of my vehicles from the OEM one that came with them unless the vehicle was previously abused before I got it.

Santa Fe is Original at over 320K KM's (192K miles) and blows 0's on the emission machines when I'm experimenting with it on the gas analyzer for other reasons.

Steve


WELL Stevie, when you put larger exhaust on it because you made performance modifications, putting large diameter cats on it to match the replacement pipe diameter makes sense

At least that was my logic when doing the plumbing on the Lincoln.

 

[StevieC]

Oh no, I wasn't pointing to you, just making the comment in general is all.

 

[LordAbbett]

I put a couple of Magnaflow Cats on an emissions exempt vehicle 2 yrs ago. .No problems so far

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Oh no, I wasn't pointing to you, just making the comment in general is all.


Oh, I know, hence the huge grin

I'm just buggin' ya!