My engine light went on so I had it checked out and they said I had a bad catalytic converter. So obviously I need new ones! I have searched on here for a while and found a couple things but not really a specific answer.

That hardest thing is I live in Ca and we all know the stupid laws with changing your cats. Is there an aftermarket cat that is legal in Ca? I found one for like $500 on a site but that is a lot more than I want to spend. Also the shop I brought it to quoted me $1500 for the new part alone And $200 for the install.
Thanks

D

 

Are you sure its a bad cat and not a bad O2 sensor?

 

Yeah, I asked the shop the same question and made them test the cat and the sensor and the cat is bad. Does that happen often? Its at about 140,000 miles.

 

It happens. Many variables here to determine why, but it happens. Some of the 04-05 trucks have cats going bad under 100K.

 

Well then I guess I am lucky since its a 98!

Do you guys know of any possible ways to fix this but not spend a fortune?

 

If your in CA, the only way to "fix" it is to replace it!

 

I know I need to replace it! I just would like to go after market if possible to do with the laws in Ca without spending a ton of money. Should I just go to a junkyrad and see if I can find one?

 

Magnaflow has ones that are California- Approved though they are +500 as well. You can go to the junk yard but there is no guarantee that those are going to be good either. Plus I'm not sure what a junk yard would charge you for them only because for the longest time we had a rush of people going to pull those- there was something inside of them that made them worth lots of $$$. Since then I think it's calmed down. If it was me going to the junk yard I'd find the truck that had lower miles on it, and one that looks taken care of since the life of the converters is also effected by the quality of the motor and maintenance performed on it.
Another reason why I hate California.

 

California is one of those ****ty little states that hate automotive performance. You will probably fail emissions if you don't have OEM cats.

 

I have an 05 expy that had a bad cat at 80k, the best thing i can reccomend is call or go to local muffler shops and see if there is an obd2 universal cat (if they sell it, its prob gonna be legal) and its usually pretty cheap, i got mine done for $200 parts and labor last year i havnt has a problem yet, and i pass emissions testing

 

Oh come on now California is not that bad!

Thanks for the input everyone. Ill see what I can do!

 

whoismootoo-thats a sweet *** expy!

 

Thats why you move to Florida

 

^ or texas!

 

yah but Tx has emmisions in the state inspections right? I am military and my home of record is Florida and always will be so i dont have to deal with stupid state inspections anywhere im stationed . Plus i dont have to have two license plates. I hate that you have to do that in some states.