California can really bite sometimes...

[dkphotog]

OK - so my big beef today is looking for new Catalytic Converters. California has THE strictest laws on this on the planet. While I am happy that they are so vigilant about reducing pollution....I am NOT happy that it costs me three times as much to help in the cause.

All the Catalytic Converters that I am finding to comply with CA laws are around $300+ HELP! Anyone have any ideas on where, how, and if I can find anything that doesn't cost that much?

Has anyone else found this to be annoying - not to mention expensive. Let's not even mention the labor to get the effin thing installed.

[whiterabbit]

Sometimes? Look into Magnaflow or Flowmaster for one and take it to a local shop. A shop down here tried sticking it to me, 200 bucks for their converter. I laughed and walked out, got one on Amazon for 80 bucks and took it to a mom and pop exhaust shop. Saved a ton.

[geno58]

I have a three bolt cat from my 1980 spider, the car only had 32,000 miles when I pulled it.
I might be willing to part with it,

[htchevyii]

You should be able to buy a CARB approved universal Magnaflow from Oreilly for $169.00.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0022

[dkphotog]

You should be able to buy a CARB approved universal Magnaflow from Oreilly for $169.00.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0022

NOPE - like i said......not in Cali......that's only for the other 49 states. HA HA HA

This is the one from the same company and the exact same site that you posted for example but for CALIFORNIA....UMMMM it looks like the same effin thing??!!! huh????:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0022

[dkphotog]

Sometimes? Look into Magnaflow or Flowmaster for one and take it to a local shop. A shop down here tried sticking it to me, 200 bucks for their converter. I laughed and walked out, got one on Amazon for 80 bucks and took it to a mom and pop exhaust shop. Saved a ton.

Are you from Cali? Lot's of people in other states don't quite get that the "universal cats" for $80 don't cut the mustard here. If you are from Cali and this worked for you please tell me. PM me or email at diana@dianakayphotography.com

[spidernut]

My local Fiat shop had mine replaced at a small muffler shop nearby. Total cost $125 installed. My car flew right through the emissions test in Calif. once it was replaced. They had to weld it in instead of bolting it in (which I really do not like) but it works fine.

[geno58]

Like I said, I have a stock cat from my 1980 spider that has 3 bolt flanges on each end. It apears to be in very good shape.
I would take $75.00 plus shipping, if it will work on your car.

[htchevyii]

Weird, I went back and looked again and it says it's CARB approved, I think the text later mentioning the 49 states is part of a generic description. The link to the expensive one that you mentioned also says it in the description. According to the Magnaflow website, the 36004 IS CA legal: http://www.magnaflow.com/02catalytic_co ... rsal=36004

MagnaFlow - Catalytic Converter
$168.99 Each
Add to Printable List
Online: Available
Call Store: Usually Avail. 24 Hrs
Find store with item
5 Year Limited Warranty
• Catalytic Converter
•Approved For Sale And Use In The State Of California
•Pre-OBDII Universal Fit
•Quantity Per Vehicle: 1

[124JOE]

my car was found on road dead in reno back in the early 90s
some smog stuff was gone so i assume thats why they left it in reno along i-80
at the time dad was a towtruck driver and picked it up for $300 at the first auction
he stored it outside for tow years then i asked him for a car "any car"he said "ive got one for you
ya just have to get here and pick it up.
i never seen one before and when i got there it was in sad condition
we buffed the old paint replaced the tires and rims with a new top
that we striped off a earlier spider
and i drove it straight home a week later sep 94


so its a bad thing cal is so strickt for those that live there
but a good thing for me
thanks all for reading and keep posting!!!!!!!!!

[dkphotog]

Like I said, I have a stock cat from my 1980 spider that has 3 bolt flanges on each end. It apears to be in very good shape.
I would take $75.00 plus shipping, if it will work on your car.

Thanks - but I don't think so - mine was welded in. I've got to more research on what I'm going to do first. Y'all are so great here on this site.

[dkphotog]

My local Fiat shop had mine replaced at a small muffler shop nearby. Total cost $125 installed. My car flew right through the emissions test in Calif. once it was replaced. They had to weld it in instead of bolting it in (which I really do not like) but it works fine.

How long ago was that? They changed the laws recently. If you go to the Magnaflow site it distinctly has "California" convertors and the other 49 states.

Doubt I could get by that cheap.

[So Cal Mark]

you should be able to get a cat in the 180-200 range, installed. If you have welded cat, it's been replaced in the past.

[AndyS]

Most muffler shops won't install a non cali compliant converter on your car for risk of big fines, and no one will ship you a non cali approved cat from out of state. you'd have to have one shipped to a relative out of state, and then they can ship it to you.

I have found that most smog stations still do not check to see if the cat is compliant especially if you have an older looking system on an older car, as you were allowed a few years back to buy and install these cats that are no longer legal. I paint the cat and the exhaust with a high temp silver paint and let it "patina" a little bit, and then it doesn't shout "new cat" if they do look.

[So Cal Mark]

200 will get you a Cali approved cat. The fact that cats installed before the new law went into effect are still legal muddles the whole situation. Smog shops can't prove whether the cat was put on before or after the law changed.