Rep Power: 320

The cat converter on my LX is toast.

Information from this site tells me that the LX header and cat is one piece.

Honda wants $400 plus for a new one and I don't trust buying a used one.

I'm thinking about a EX conversion.

What other options do I have in replacing the cat?

 
Rep Power: 0

How do you know your cat is toast...?

 
Rep Power: 320

CEL + visit to dealership = code for toast cat

I've had my header glow red a few times after some spirited driving through canyons.
I'm thinking it's what probably killed the cat.

I'm way too many miles over the warranty coverage period.

 
Rep Power: 0

I drive like a mother all the time and my cat was still fine before i put the header on...i think it is your actual o2 sensor itself...and i have 40,000 miles on an 04'coupe dx...even the sensor shouldnt be bad yet...and even running hard for about an hour, i have never had my header glow red...

 
Rep Power: 320

I drive around mountain roads where if you go high enough you'll get snow in the winter...in Souther California.
The climb puts alot of stress on the engine I'm thinking.

I have a 01 with 100k.
I remember other members had the glowing header issues along time ago.
04's might have had that issue resolved.

Sensors are doing fine...I'm sure its the cat.

 
Rep Power: 330

theres a few hills in my town that are in a row, if im going up them in 2nd at about 5-6k rpm, at the top i stop at blockbuster, and the manifold is glowing. this is on an 04 vp btw.

 
Rep Power: 452

it doesnt matter how many miles are on a car, parts will fail anytime. 02 sensors dont have an expected life expectancy. neither do cat converters. They usually last the life of the vehicle, but some do fail early. they fail from getting clogged, or they fail because of another engine problem.

Now I purchased a used cat converter for $75 and have had it on for awile now and have had no problems. someone may have one on here with low miles on it. Check the for sale section or ask around.

also check www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

 
Rep Power: 283

Brian I had mine replaced for the same the thing. Luckily I was barely still under warranty. 500 more miles and I would have been a$$ed out.
Options:
1)Buy a used one(LX)
2)Buy a o2 sim to get rid of cel
3)Buy a aftermarket header
4)EX conversion
Good Luck.

 
Rep Power: 0

i thought the emission system had a lifetimem warrenty, as in the muffler and cat?

 
Rep Power: 452

most warranties only offer a 8 year, 80,000 mile warranty on emissions components. After that, its all on you.

 
Rep Power: 0

I don't know bout ya'll, but in GA its illegal to sell used cats. $400, isn't bad price, I was quoted $600 for the part on my 96 Civic

 
Rep Power: 0

you can find someone on here selling a used lx header/cat for probably under $50, i would never pay $400 for a used header. I see you are in CA so you got emissions testing, so an aftermarket header would not work for you. i suggest looking on the forums for someone selling one

 
Rep Power: 0

Get an EX exhaust system, headers and back.

 
Rep Power: 299

If you do the ex exhaust conversion you still wont pass visual inspection because of the extended o2 sensors. Also they would probably notice the cat is under the car instead of on the header unless they they just look for a cat period. Hope for a stupid inspector

 
Rep Power: 320

I won't have to worry so much about visual inspection because I'll be going to a shop I know.

Paying for my car to "pass" smog is possible but I am going to have to deal with the CEL when I sell the car later.

I'm going to follow Louie's suggestions...cheapest solution gets priority.
I had the CEL go off at ~77000 miles...I went to the dealer at ~83000 miles.
You don't understand how pissed off at myself I was

I guess anyone with a LX + cat problems is going to get screwed in the because there aren't much options.

 
Rep Power: 452

Most state inspectors out there arent highly trained technicians and probably wont have any idea that an LX has the header in the manifold Vs. the EX which has it in the downpipe.