» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | looove 04-16-2024 01:18 PM 04-16-2024 01:18 PM 0 Replies, 1,633 Views | | | | | 02-12-2009, 08:03 AM | #1 | Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NOR CAL Posts: 51 | Aftermarket CAT = RATTLE CAT! Hello all, I recently went down to NAPA and bought a bolt on cat. Now after 4 weeks of use the CAT is starting to rattle when the car is idling. What should I do? Live with it? or try to install an OEM cat? According to all the auto parts stores around here, since Jan1. no one can get anything but an OEM cat.. something to do with a new law or something? Any thoughts? Thanks Harrison | | | 02-12-2009, 09:29 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: norcal - 94590 Posts: 3,186 | Harrison; I would go back to NAPA with the cat on the car and make them listen to the rattle. They should stand behind the unit they sold. If they can't get you a non-OEM replacement due to new laws (which I haven't heard of), then they shoud give you a refund... I do feel that it is always better to get an OEM cat because aftermarket ones tend to cause a lot of problems, but the price for and OEM is a big drawback. If you can't afford a new one, look on ebay. You might find a decent one, but this is a case of you get what you pay for... (Sorry, I don't have an extra one to send to you either... ) __________________ James 95 active w/leather interior and sport interior conversion, Vaders, full M-Tech exterior conversion. Now m50 swapped* Eibach sway bars, D2 Coilovers, Depo's w/AE's, blacked-out sides and grills, LeatherZ console and door armrests, 1 series starter button mod, and custom finished Style 5's <--- in this color! Named "Roddy": *M50 6 cyl. swap with fan delete, S50 cams and chip, AFE stage 2 intake, M3 clutch and 11.5 lb Fidanza flywheel, 3.15LSD, battery relocated to rear and complete custom exhaust. Sweet! 97 318ti sport, Alaska Blue, Contours, coilovers, Dove Vaders and custom black/grey interior named "Max" 95 318ti Active in Cosmos, S50 swap in progress... named "Pit" SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | 02-12-2009, 03:51 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: LA, Bellflower, CA Posts: 3,613 | i have an OEM cat if needed. __________________ -Theta Chi- Float like a cadilac, sting like a BIMMER .... my socket is just too thick and won't fit in the hole! damnit! Marv's 332ti is in the werks. Stay tuned ya'll ... Check list: S52 swap, manual transmission swap, 3.25 LSD with M Coupe diff cover, SuperSprint muffler, M3 style mirrors, AFE intake, ASC delete, M50 Manifold swap, UUC strut bar, ZHP lighted knob, Vaders, M-tech interior, OEM armrest, AC Schintzer front lip, AC Schnitzer rear spoiler, Roof spoiler, 18'' rims, M3 front drilled brakes, LED interior lights, 3 spoke Euro style steering wheel, OEM roof spoiler and bike holder, Thule fairing, Euro tail lights, oil pressure guage, carbon fiber hood painted to original paint (still showing CF weaving), what's next to do...? | | | 02-13-2009, 12:25 AM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 231 | Do not install generic cats in Calif! Cal Smog requires OEM or approved list cats only & they will check at smogtime. They will fail you even if the cat is passing otherwise. Mine - I mean, a friends - BMW had a cat identified as coming off a Chrysler and failed smog, I I mean he had to find a corrupt smog dealer who wouldn't look under the car and read the numbers off the cat. This state is really screwed up, no resale of used cats etc. & yes those generics rattle like no tomorrow. | | | 02-13-2009, 04:48 AM | #5 | Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NOR CAL Posts: 51 | I passed smog with no problem and I still don't have a CEL. So even if I take it back to NAPA they might replace it with another rattle cat? | | | 02-13-2009, 06:04 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 231 | They owe you a new one, swap it & see what happens, but if I were you I'd get my money back and take Marv's oem. | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |