California Legal Catalytic Converter? (Aftermarket)

This topic seems to keep coming up. Maybe 3 threads in last 6 months. Is this the beginnings of a possible cat problem? Or just a fluke?

 

Corrected: looks like it IS a 8yr/80k warranty http://www.factorywarrantylist.com/uploads/3/3/9/4/3394652/toyota_warranty_policy_flyer.pdf The times have changed.

 

How in the hell could a stock OEM cat cost $2000? Wow!

 

2.7 cat was $1400 installed.

 

I would go to a junkyard, find one in decent condition, slap it on. Once it passes smog, remove it and use a straight pipe or if you care little bit about emissions, get a high performance CAT that isn't necessarily CARB legal.

 

The materials used in OEM cats can be very expensive. It's been known that some thieves will steal cats to resell them for materials. They can contain platinum as one of the materials. If you see the aftermarket ones, they're all ceramic or metallic cores. Plus typical dealer markup on items that are not normally stocked...

 

Junk yards in California will not sell you a used converter. It's against the law

 

No way, I didn't know that.

 

Right I am aware of the precious metals but two grand is a lot nonetheless.

Edit: looks like this site would help with doing the math on the actual amount and value of the precious metals https://scrapcatalysthub.wordpress....ous-metal-is-in-a-catalytic-converter-part-i/

Edit2: Spot price of platinum today is ~30 dollars US per gram, palladium and rhodium are about half to three quarters the price of that...

 

Try a 2009 or 2010 model on the Magnaflow parts lookup, the manifold/converter style changed in 2009 I believe and they have 48 State legal OEM grade, P/N 49341 & 49342 that will get you by a lot cheaper. I know, not CARB, but OEM grade has a better solution wash during manufacture of the catalyst so you should be good.

 

no legit California muffler shop will install non-CARB cats on a California car.

 

I could name a dozen beyond legit shops that will, but the truck will need to leave on a trailer and the receipt will say off-road use only. Not everyone who runs cats on their car does it for smog purposes

 

But on that note as of 2009 or 2010 all carb legal cats came with a part number on them that can be referenced to prove they are correct to that year automobile and engine family. Most smog shops will check that number and give the truck an automatic fail on visual inspection. If you are close with a smog shop that won't be an issue.

 

from http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/smog-check.php

• During the visual test, the inspector will check for any blue or black smoke emitting from the tailpipe. As long as there is no blue or black exhaust, the vehicle passes this part of the exam.
• During the machine test, the inspector will attach vehicle components to a smog check machine and run the test for certain codes. If the vehicle components pass each code, the vehicle passes this part of the exam.

Pretty sure smog shops don't even open up the hood anymore or get under the vehicle. Maybe drive to Nevada or Arizona and buy one there if you cant find one here.

 

I've mostly smogged pre-OBD cars these last few years (mostly early 90s Volvos and Mercedes), and they get a thorough visual inspection, where they check for all sorts of things, PCV hoses, EGR valves, check over all the vacuum lines shown on a DMV provided diagram for the year/model car, they do a suction test on the gas cap AND tank, verify the 'check engine light' comes on with the ignition key and goes out when the engine is started, AND they sniff the tail pipe at idle and elevated RPMs. if you live in an enhanced smog region (I don't), they treadmill test the car. Only one car failed a smog test and required a new catalyst, this car was a 400,000+ mile 1987 Volvo 240, with the new cat, it passed with flying colors.