aftermarket catalytic converters

I found my source of exhaust rattle on the Golf today. The honey comb inside my cat is broken up into fist sized chunks. I can see clear through to the other side. Suprisingly, I just passed a dyno test with emissions. I am tempted to punch the remains out, but then my concience would bug me about it.

With salvage cats bringing big cash, What is the differences between a used oem and a aftermarket high flow. I am looking for more durability plus flow than just something to take its place for 3 years. The stock cat supposedly has decent flow. Is it worth sourcing a used oem cat over a new aftermarket high flow in the long run?

you can't legally install a used cat

You pay the extra money for a bolt-in OEM style cat. If you can weld a couple flanges onto the cat, you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars. The price difference between a Magnaflow universal and a direct fit replacement are even $100+.

YaNi wrote: You pay the extra money for a bolt-in OEM style cat. If you can weld a couple flanges onto the cat, you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars. The price difference between a Magnaflow universal and a direct fit replacement are even $100+.

Not looking to save some money by welding it on myself. Just looking for something reliable and actually scrubs the air.

Do old cats cause exhaust blockage? My B-3000 Mazda/ Ranger with 3.0 has well over 200k, and shall we say, lacks power. I was wondering if it might be partially related to exhaust obstruction.

cwh wrote: Do old cats cause exhaust blockage? My B-3000 Mazda/ Ranger with 3.0 has well over 200k, and shall we say, lacks power. I was wondering if it might be partially related to exhaust obstruction.

could happen. Smell rotten eggs? Rotten egg smell is a sign of a trashed cat. Also try running the truck around at night for a half hour or more drive. When you park the truck, look underneath the truck, If the cat is glowing red its prob. plugged.

internetautomart wrote: you can't legally install a used cat

maybee true in some places but lots of people do it any way and if your car passes inspection does any body know or care that a used oem cat was in there? Its probably better than many universal replacements. Also you can get a remanufactured cat from several sources including these people. http://www.smithcat.com/index.htm (never used these guys, just found them in quick search)

HappyAndy wrote:

internetautomart wrote: you can't legally install a used cat

maybee true in some places but lots of people do it any way and if your car passes inspection does any body know or care that a used oem cat was in there? Its probably better than many universal replacements. Also you can get a remanufactured cat from several sources including these people. http://www.smithcat.com/index.htm (never used these guys, just found them in quick search)

According to the local Meineke Manager, a shop cannot legally install a used cat, but he was more than willing to use his heat wrench on mine so that I could take it home and "bolt up whatever you have around." I highly doubt that as you are tightening the final fastener on the cat, that the EPA Swat Team will repel down from a black helicopter and send you to an interrogation center in an undisclosed "cooperative nation."

techtonics tuning is the best place for a cheap bolt on.

YaNi wrote: You pay the extra money for a bolt-in OEM style cat. If you can weld a couple flanges onto the cat, you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars. The price difference between a Magnaflow universal and a direct fit replacement are even $100+.

I just had a pair of magnaflow universals installed on my 740iL. Aftermarket oem style were $1000, and factory units are $2000 new. The Magnaflows were $65 each and teh install was around a hundred bucks (I also removed my stock mufflers and has magnaflow tips put in in their place and that added an other hundred to the install).

A lot of people have had great luck with the magnaflows.