Catalytic Converter Options.

[beastman]

I've decided to install a new cat. I'm not sure if that will solve all of my car's problems, but I'm going to start there. Many of the symptoms point in that direction.

Anyone have suggestions for an aftermarket cat that will bolt right up? I'm seeing a big range in prices, from $150-$300+, and I want to make sure I don't get the wrong one.

Vehicle: 2001 Legacy GT Wagon 5MT.

[Huffer]

The cheaper options require work to make them fit.

The bigget question is what kinds of problems lead you to think a new cat will solve things? Very fewrunning problems require a complete cat converter section replacement.

[beastman]

My cat is toast, it's that simple. I've discussed my running issues in various other threads. No need to bring them up again here. And no, I don't think it's the only problem, nor the end solution, but I need a new one, especially to pass inspection next month.

I'm basically looking for a drop in replacement, and I'm looking for anyone who may have experience with one. Good, bad, or otherwise.

[Huffer]

Your best bet honestly is just to get a cheap hi-flow unit, have a muffler shop cut out your old one and weld a new one in.
I bought so called "drop in" ones before and still spent an hour under the car trying to get them to match up.

[DarkPhoenix]

^^ What he said.

I looked at the direct fit cats and they were ridiculous in price. My friend owns a muffler shop so he is doing a 2.25" hi-flow universal cat for $100 installed.

[ShadowGT]

Can you go without the cats?

[DarkPhoenix]

Can you go without the cats?


Not legally for road use. It's big fines if you get caught, and with how rich Subarus run, you will be causing unconsciousness wherever you may go.

[ouch1011]

High flow cats won't pass emissions. Many direct drop-in replacements don't either.

[beastman]

Universal cats are straight no? My car, like every other 2.5NA subie has 2 cats which are both on angles. Welding in a straight cat doesn't seem very possible. Either way. I'm gutting my current cats, to see if it alleviates the problem. They are choking the life out of my car. It needs to breathe.

[chuckthefuk]

1st) Subarus do not use 2 cats.. They use 1 cat and 1 pre-cat. Only the cat does the filtering of emissions..
2nd) Universal hi-flow cats do pass emissions but it depends on the quality of the cat. OBX passed my LGT/OB with flying colors.

But that being said I am running Ontario emissions standard.. so this may be different for the US guys.

-Chuck

[DarkPhoenix]

We don't have a sniffer test here in NY for OBD2 cars, just a visual inspection and an OBD2 Readiness test. Basically if you have no CELs and they see a cat under your car, you are emissions legal.

[stu-nami]

So in regards to what was mentioned on the "pre-cat" and actual second cat found in our cars, the ine on boxer4racing.com worth it ???(the one showing straight pipe and the 2nd cat only)
I need to replace mine to, however im thinking of upgrading piping to 2.25 to replace the straight section from the actual cats back to the axle back as well replacing both cats....any ideas on costs for that?...

[DarkPhoenix]

So in regards to what was mentioned on the "pre-cat" and actual second cat found in our cars, the ine on boxer4racing.com worth it ???(the one showing straight pipe and the 2nd cat only)
I need to replace mine to, however im thinking of upgrading piping to 2.25 to replace the straight section from the actual cats back to the axle back as well replacing both cats....any ideas on costs for that?...


Depending on the shop and where you get the cat from, it shouldn't be more than $200 for a universal HFC, the O2 bungs, and some 2.25" piping to mate up to your exhaust system.

[stu-nami]

OK awesome, thats a good base so I know im not gonna be over charged....would you reccomend then just one high flowcat?

[jey]

Yup, that's what I'm running.

[chuckthefuk]

get the shop to make you this
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

and weld the extension to make up the precat section.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

[Huffer]

1st) Subarus do not use 2 cats.. They use 1 cat and 1 pre-cat. Only the cat does the filtering of emissions..
But that being said I am running Ontario emissions standard.. so this may be different for the US guys.

-Chuck

Yep, it is different for the CARB-spec cars - they have the front O2 sensor ahead of the 1st cat, and the 2nd O2 sensor behind the 2nd cat.

When my CARB-spec GT sedan (BD) needed a cat replacement, I replaced it with a section that had the 2nd cat deleted from the J pipe, and I still triggered a P0420 after 20miles.

My current GT wagon, also a 98, is still running the stock cats, but with a Borla header. No CEL from that.

[chuckthefuk]

Strange CDM cars are just the same however no one has triggered a 420 code when doing the delete.. Although the o2 sensors have been replaced.. and our gas is slightly different.
-Chuck