Rep Power: 0

Had the dealership replace the timing belt. When they gave me the car back, they said that the exhaust manifold has developed a crack (seems common). They gave me two options, replace the exhaust manifold/cat assembly or weld the crack. One exhaust guy's 2nd opinion is that welding these is at best a short term fix, as it tends to crack again. Labor and all, the cost of welding was about half the cost of dealer replacement (and pretty close to the cost of an aftermarket cat/manifold). My question is - do you think it is even worth $400-500 to take the manifold off and weld it after 14 years and 100k miles, or is it better to just replace the manifold/cat?

 
Rep Power: 210

junk yard / scrap yard.....go look

 
Rep Power: 244

I would replace it. More likely to crack again if its welded.

Junk yard would be a good place to start. You can compare the cost of the part used and labor then compare to a new with labor.

 
Rep Power: 0

Do people have good luck with used cats, or is it a crap shoot whether you will get a good one or not?

 
Rep Power: 244

I couldn't tell you. Haven't seen many people post about buying used ones. Usually people opt for the cheapo cat that is crap, I would go used OE before doing that.

 
Rep Power: 161

^^ Agreed. Cheapo cats are crap, get you a year if you're lucky. If you replace new, get OEM.

Doubt you'll find one at a junk yard, those things are like gold and usually one of the first items removed. Or you could get lucky and find someone local parting a car out.

 
Rep Power: 0

Do you guys lump all aftermarket cats in the "cheapo" category, or are there some aftermarket cats that you feel are suitable replacements? Do you consider Magnaflow (or at least their OEM grade replacements) to be acceptable aftermarket alternatives, or would you only use Honda cats? Depending on supplier, there isn't a huge difference in price between Magnaflow's OEM grade and Honda's.

 
Rep Power: 244

An OEM grade one is acceptable IMO, but some manufactures claim OE quality and its not. Maybe its to 1 manufactures specs but that doesn't mean its to Honda's. The cheap cats use cheap metals that break down quickly and don't filter out all the stuff that harms the environment. Are you in California? If so you need to get a CARB approved one for emissions.

Check reviews for the OE Magnaflow ones. I don't have any personal experience with them, maybe someone else does. If the price was pretty close to OE then I would just get an OE one.