Catalytic converters - off brands, yea or nay???

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:20 pm

The cat on my Integra has recently just disintegrated and as expected, there's a glaring CEL staring me down. It's definitely not something I want to keep riding around on as I'll be replacing an o2 sensor if I wait much longer.

That said, has anyone had much luck with non-OE catalytic converters in the past? With Advance Auto's cyber Monday sale today, they're offering 25% off online buys making a Bosal direct fit (believe it when I install it though :roll:

) replacement about a 1/3 of the cost of an Acura one, $215 shipped vs. $600+. They have a 5 year warranty too...

Any thoughts?

thanks,
Matt

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:27 pm

Bosal makes some oem stuff. I wouldn't spend $600.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I'm sure any of the reputable brands would work fine.

Why not save some money and order from Amazon? I'd trust a Magnaflow. There might be even cheaper deals out there, just took 30 seconds to find this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-22639-C ... automotive

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:42 pm

I got a new Magnaflow cat for my integra for like $110 from rockauto and my catalyst efficiency CEL went out right away.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:46 pm

Holy crap, I didn't realize they're in the $100's... Maybe I will have some Bilstein bucks left over before next season.

Thanks fellows! ...off to Amazon

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

If you want to save even more dough you can get a Magnaflow "spun" cat for a price in the double digits and they supposedly flow better than a straight pipe so you could unleash more of that vtack fury. It won't be a direct fit though so you will incur a some additional installation cost.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:01 pm

What class are you planning on putting the Type R in? If DS or Road Tire, get ready to pay the $600 luxury tax. If STX, you can go with anything you like that is a real catalytic converter. - AB

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but as a D-stock competitor, I will not protest you. You're SOL at nationals/NCAC/etc. but at anything local, you won't get protested by me.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:09 pm

An OE equivlanent cat should be stock legal:

Code:

Modifications of any type, including additions to or removal of, the catalytic converters, thermal reactors, or any other pollution control devices in the exhaust system are not allowed and the system must be operable. Replacement catalytic converters must be OE if the vehicle has not exceeded the warranty period as mandated by the EPA. Converters must be of the same type and size and used in the same location as the original equipment converter(s). This does not allow for a high performance unit. If the vehicle has exceeded the warranty period, replacement catalytic converters must be OE-type as per Section 13.0.

I think in non-CA state, the cat converter warranty is like 6 years/60k miles so I'm pretty sure Matt's ITR is out of that range and hence an OE equivalent is legal.

Investigation into who is the OE mfg of the ITR cat is probably warranted (probably Bosal).

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:15 pm

I think you can do OEM equivalents I read somewhere in the past. If not, I'll do the Honda unit. I'm running DS and actually hope to do a tour or two next year, probably Dixie and Dover or DC.

ooops, edit: just saw James' post and I think I'm in the clear. The Bosal I was planning to order tomorrow definitely isn't a high performance unit but the blingy stainless steel $450 Magnaflow is.

FTFY Brice:

BriceJohnson wrote:

We're SOL at nationals/NCAC/etc., especially if Casino shows up in that fast as hell TT with the DSG gearbox!

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:19 pm

Matt McGrain wrote:

I think you can do OEM equivalents I read somewhere in the past. If not, I'll do the Honda unit. I'm running DS and actually hope to do a tour or two next year, probably Dixie and Dover or DC.

ooops, edit: just saw James' post and I think I'm in the clear. The Bosal I was planning to order tomorrow definitely isn't a high performance unit but the $450 Magnaflow is.

Magnaflow also makes OE equivalents for very cheap. It was exactly the same size and config, the guts looks the same (whitish/grey ceramic honeycomb) and heat shield as the original on my LS (LS and ITR have the same exhaust to axle back...GSR has different stuff from header back).

If the cat's you are looking at are CA legal, then they are functionally OEM equivalents and are stock legal.

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

It might not work this time but, when my Type R needed a cat, I posted up in the Type R forums to see if anyone had laying around that they had taken off. In a few hours I had 4 different options with the closest being in Cary. Of course at the time it was a 5 year old car, now that it's 11 years old they might be harder to come by.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:10 pm

Wow, I'm glad to see that the SCCA got with the times and updated it with OE equivalent on emissions stuff. The Celica was around $800 after the Toyota Parts discount. Not fun at all

- AB

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:01 pm

Damn Matt, what are the chances? In VA there is no emissions (outside of NOVA). I converted mine to obd1 last week. I should never have to worry about the cat ever again. That being said I was set on the magnaflow like Mike pointed out before I decided to go obd1.

Zach Hill · **Posted:** Tue Nov 27, 2012 6:09 pm

Screw Stock class, get a HFC and go to Street Touring! :-D

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