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Hello all,

So long story short - My check engine lights been on, and I need to get smogged, so I checked it out and it's my catalytic converter. I shopped around and got the best deal I could on a cat for my 97 Honda Civic DX (350$ ouch!)

So the confusing thing is, I have talked to a few friends who know about cars (Not civics though), and through watching youtube videos of how to replace catalytic converters, and my own research, and basically everywhere I have seen lists the catalytic converter as on the bottom of the car. As in you need a jack to get to it. Some say it's welded, others say it's bolt on.

So I buy my part, and I'm looking for where it goes, and it appears to me that it goes right on top directly outside the engine. Is this correct? Are civics just built differently from most other cars?

I just want to be sure that by replacing this part my check engine light is going to go off, and I won't have to buy another one that does go underneath the car. I would appreciate any help given to me. Thank you for your time!

 
Rep Power: 244

It's bolted on, and yes the cat is part of the headers. An EX has a tradition style cat that your probably thinking of. Make sure you get an OEM cat and not a cheap aftermarket one.

 
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I already got the part anyways. Not really sure the difference between OEM and cheap aftermarket but i got whatever one they said would fit at autozone.

 
Rep Power: 244

Cheap ones use cheap metal and don't last as long. The reason they are expensive is because of the precious metals that are inside that help filter out the environmentally unfriendly stuff.

 
Rep Power: 367

for a DX that is correct.
BTW, since they expensive, most prefer to do once and worry about them again miles and miles away, being the reason most reasonable ones don't go to expensive OEM parts.
*potentially* it could fail earlier than OEM parts, is one of the reasons.