azi90

Need a new cat convertor. what would be the difference(if any) between these ones
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/wa...l#.Uojk43dYHMg
and this one
www.hottexhaust.com/Magnaflow_93228

they both have 2 year warranty. which probalby means they are going to both die in about 2-3 years.

going for original OEM isnt option for me since i know they cost 1400$

Please help me select

P.s my car is 2004 civic ex

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

I would go with the magnaflow. Direct fit and better quality.

ezone

California CARB approved would be my 2nd choice after factory.

No choices after that. I can't afford to install cheap parts in customer cars.


EDIT: wait, you're talking Canadian? IDK.

azi90

i would appreciate if i can know the reason why. The warrany is same. but price is more than the DOUBLE. i think they both going to last me 2-3 years. anyreason as to why i should pay more for magnaflow?

azi90

how long would that last me for emission in canada

ezone

Same as if it were in the USA.

azi90

how long would it last for the emission in USA ? i dont want to buy cat convertor for 4-5 bills every 2 year. thats my concern

ezone

I'm thinking as though I'm at work again.

When I have to replace a cat, I need it to last as long as possible. I can't ever believe someone that says they only need it to last a year or two, because most people lie their asses off if it will get them a cheaper price. (Therefore the cheapo cat choice is not offered.)

Factory cat is always first choice.
California CARB approved is second choice.
If someone wants to go cheaper, they can go somewhere else and be upset at THAT shop when it fails.

These are based on expected longevity, and warranty.
Check into those aspects.


Is that Magnaflow choice approved by CARB for sale and use in California?
(NO.)
See if they DO have a CARB approved choice if you need for it to last a long time.

If you only need a couple more years out of the car, then go cheapo if you like.


JMO, HTH

ezone

Moved thread to 7th gen

ezone

I believe California regulations demands a 5 year/50,000 mile warranty on approved cats. (I'm not sure how that works if they send one to Canada though.)

Most aftermarket units only get a 1 year warranty.

azi90

i know factory cat is the best choice but spending 1400$+ doesnt seem like the real deal on 2004 civic which im not planning on keeping for more than 3 years. i just want something to last me 3 years for not more than 4-5 bills. so i guess cali convertors would be the best choice

ezone

If you only need 3 years, maybe wait until your test date comes near then install the Magnaflow direct-fit looking unit and see how long it lasts?

I didn't see a Calif approved cat that looks right on the Magnaflow site, only saw the manifold type..... Wow.


Funny..... Figured I'd look at factory stuff a sec..

Looking in http://torontohondaparts.com/ they don't list an EX. Hmmm.
I assume your cat is under the car, not built into of the manifold? They want $1200 for theirs.

Any way you can sneak parts across the border? Majestic shows almost half that price for theirs $687 USD (no clue what the exchange rate is though)


Thought about a used OE cat from a recycle yard/used car/Craigslist part-out?

Matt_75

FYI, the SI is the EX equivalent in Canada.

azi90

yeah2004 canadian SI is an equavalent of EX in US. and i thought about grabbing one from junkyard. not sure if ill be able to find exactly one for my car though


and yes my cat is under the car not attached to manifold

and im willing to wait until my emission test is due, but just worried about if my fuel economy is going to hurt coz of bad cat.

Poopies

iTrader: (4)

Your fuel economy shouldn't be affected as long as the exhaust can flow freely. The cat is strictly an emission control device.

ezone

You'd be surprised how much it CAN affect gas mileage, especially as you get into newer stuff.
The engine and computer is a life-support system for the catalytic converter, first and foremost. (Propelling the car down the road is entirely secondary!)
The PCM can constantly manipulate fuel control as it tries to obtain a desired reaction/reading from the rear O2 sensor.
If the cat is bad/missing or has an O2 fooler of any type on the rear sensor, the PCM can go nuts with fuel delivery, unchecked. THAT'S when mileage gets affected.



If the guy is **** about checking mileage he'd probably notice a bit of difference. Probably not much, but I really can't say that for certain.

HTH

Greenmonster

Hey man check this out.

http://www.carid.com/2001-honda-civi...EMuxoCSTHw_wcB

06 EX Mild Mods

If I had to replace my catalyic converter I would opt for a "high flow catalytic converter" they are less restrictive and usually less expensive. Google for the quoted text for a large variety of options.

bsmiley

But how would the car's computer react to a non OEM cat? I don't want to replace any part and have terrible gas mileage or a constant lit CEL.

Greenmonster

Dude DONT! I went through this same situation, thinking I could utilize the replacement for a "high-Flow" cat. They don't exist man, just go with what should be on there, don't listen to all the marketing BS. SAVE YOUR MONEY BUY THE RIGHT PART!!

ezone

Who decided to drag this old thread out? It's dead.

Seems like carid used to be a sponsor here on this site.
EDIT:carid is a Premium Sponsor

Then you get to find out why they are cheap.
(I've seen an ad that showed an empty cat shell and called it "high flow" LOL. No cat at all.)


The computer hates them, half of them can't make it past the 1 year warranty. This is important if you have to pass an emissions test.

I only offer the factory cat or California CARB certified cat to a customer. (I only have to deal with stock cars too.)

I won't even offer a cheap cat to a customer because they fail so frequently. If a customer wants a cheap cat they can go elsewhere and be pissed at that shop when it fails too soon, and frequently.


A correctly sized cat will flow far more than the engine is capable of producing. Stock OE.