Catalytic Converter

[iisaac021]

So a mechanic said i need a new cat, tune-up, and a intake. He wants to charge me 1692 for all 3 services but i think that's pricey considering i bought this car for 2500. I found Tune-Up kits for $200, the intake boot for $30, and the cat is 420. I saw a magnaflow cat and i know magnaflow is a pretty decent brand does anyone know if going after-market for my cat would be okay?

96' 318ti

[tiFreak]

you need to get a stock cat unfortunately, any aftermarket one will throw a check engine light, I'm guessing a big part of that bill is the cat

[Ji Money]

Can you wait on the cat? You may find one used around here. Is the check engine light on or is is failing the NJ inspection? I used to live in NJ for a very long time and their insepction is a pain in the rear. Now I'm in NY state and my window which does not go down or the airbag light doesn't faze the inspection!

Good luck on that cat replacement!

[iisaac021]

Is the cat a easy replacement or is there alot of work to be put in? Sorry im not to savy about mechanic work.

[iisaac021]

I can wait its no big my inspection isnt till July of next year. Its just the fuel economy isnt what its supposed to be and sometimes i feel little jumps, but overall it isnt a huge issue i just wanted to repair everything

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by iisaac021

Is the cat a easy replacement or is there alot of work to be put in? Sorry im not to savy about mechanic work.

Sorry I am horrible with the wrench too. Don't know much about anything really!

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by iisaac021

I can wait its no big my inspection isnt till July of next year. Its just the fuel economy isnt what its supposed to be and sometimes i feel little jumps, but overall it isnt a huge issue i just wanted to repair everything

I heard the cam sensor failing can cause those jumps you may be describing. Fuel economy on mine sucks these days too. Maybe the Oxygen sensor for that? The search feature may turn up some archived threads you don't normally see.

[Bmw318tiGirly]

Originally Posted by iisaac021

So a mechanic said i need a new cat, tune-up, and a intake. He wants to charge me 1692 for all 3 services but i think that's pricey considering i bought this car for 2500. I found Tune-Up kits for $200, the intake boot for $30, and the cat is 420. I saw a magnaflow cat and i know magnaflow is a pretty decent brand does anyone know if going after-market for my cat would be okay?

96' 318ti

I see you in hoboken my boyfriend has a shop in Carteret NJ and I did all that stuff for way under that price lol If you wanna come threw and get a quote your more then welcome. Hit me up if you want more info =)

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Can't you run a aftermarket Cat and run a after Cat O2 extention to take care of that CEL. I run no cat and have no CEL with my extention and it's not obvious at all. Are they that strict in your state and get right up on the O2 to ensure it's screwed right into the pipe or would a little 7/8" extention on the O2 get caught? All you need to do is take that O2 out of the direct stream of exhaust and the CEL goes away. I know a guy in NJ that run a aftermarket cat and has no problems with smog inspections. It's a Metric Motor and not Marko's

[plasmosis]

re :Catalytic Converters

My bro owned a eastern catback, Does anyone know if a dynomax catalytic conv. could be a bolt on install.

[Beacrosh]

Most of those aftermarket Cats are universal style, but some companys offer Direct Fit Units that would surely bolt on right in place of the oem unit. Otherwise make sure its a universal unit designed and loaded correctly to keep that pesky check engine light off..It will require a trip to your local muffler shop to get a good clean instalation.Good Luck to Ya ...

[diamondnik]

Aftermarket cat will not set off CEL, I had one on my car for years. However, it would not pass emissions till I put another OEM cat and now it has a clean bill of health. Aftermarket cat also sounded ****ty. In my opinion, even used OEM cats are better than aftermarket stuff.

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by diamondnik

Aftermarket cat will not set off CEL, I had one on my car for years.

what year is your ti? if it's a 95 it won't have a post cat O2 sensor so it won't throw a code

[diamondnik]

Mine is 95, but it makes no difference because aftermarket cats are welded in place of factory cat (on factory piping), so in the case of obd2, both sensors remain. Or if you get some aftermarket replacement cat where welding is not required you can weld on a sensor bung, not a big deal for muffler shop. In fact the cat I'm using now is for obd2 ti, but i plugged the second sensor hole.

[tiFreak]

the second sensor's what sets off the code, since yours is a 95 you could run no cat without setting a code