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I have a 97 civic ex I just replaced my spark plugs and wires, distributor cap and rotor, as well as my air filter, and changed oil and oil filter. I also put in some guaranteed to pass smog stuff in my gas tank and failed the ca emissions test buy 79. 179 out of 100. i have 199k miles and the mech. said its a good chance its my Cat. Any one have any links for cheap oem cats or know were to get good used ones?

Any help would be great! dmv wont give me an extension on my registration..

thank you!!
-Quinc

 
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where u at in cali? just call up junk yards around you.

 
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I'm in Chico. Would it be better to get a new one? when do cats start to go bad?

 
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its ur cat, check this out, u may find what u need...

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/pr...ytic_converter

 
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u can have a magnaflow cat welded in place of ur stock one by an exhaust shop. getting a used one off a junk yard holds no guarantees of functionality but its probably a lot cheaper

 
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cats can be pretty pricey.. id go with a aftermarket one.. unless you find a used one off strets for cheap

 
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Thank you for the replies guys i appreiate it! =) Is there any reason why i shouldn't go with a Eastern Catalytic Converter
EASTERN CATALYTIC CONVERTER -- Direct Fit Catalytic Converter, Meets Or Exceeds OEM Specifications And It Is Built To Exact OE Dimensions With OE Quality Flanges And Flex Assemblies, They Feature Eastern's Proprietary Catalytic Chemistry And High Flow Design That Maximizes Engine Output And Catalytic Efficiency

 
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thats what i would do

 
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I just talked with autopartswarehouse.com and they said they don't stock anything that will pass ca smog.. anyone know of anywhere that does?

 
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The problem is that emission systems for California are different than the rest of the US. Take your pic, gamble with a Junkyard, or pay for OEM and don't ever worry about it again. Just make sure it is the Catalytic, there is an engine code for when the go bad.

 
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they might just say that b/c they dont want to be liable for not passing smog...

 
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Dont cats go bad at 120k miles.. or something like that? Your past due. If you wanna be safe, go new and go OEM- if you wanan waste money on another test, go aftermarket or used oem. Seriously though, how can you be almost twice as bad as the worst you can be in the state- you must have some gnarly stuff shooting out your exhaust pipe.

 
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Did you remember to pray to the CA smog gods? It sounds as though you might need a sacrifice for this one.

 
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i almost fail that emission test. good thing i know someone who smog check in los angeles: smog & registration.

 
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My cat on my 2000 civic went out at 173K and I put in an aftermarket direct fit (it replaces the $800 oem one piece cat/exhaust manifold) its 2 pieces witha gasket in between, got it off ebay for less than 175 and the got two heated core o2 sensors (thats the kind obd2 civics use) (oem NGK ones from a honda place run ya 250-300) Get Bosch direct fit ones for 80-100 bucks each... anyways after about 3 hours of work I got er done and she passed with flying colors!

 
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go for that eastern cat if it is cheap...

 
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So my girlfriend was able to get some 500$ grant from the dmv to have her car be able to pass smog. she gives the grant to the smog guy, he hooks it back up to the machine and it passes with no problem. so she got stuck paying another 40$ out of her pocket and wasn't able to use the grant money. the guy told her that kind of thing happens all the time. what a scam...

edit: she drove it for 30 minutes before taking it in the first time and it failed at 179. the 2nd time it wasn't driven at all and passed with 60.

 
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A car with "California Emissions" just means it has an A.I.R. pump (air injection reaction) aka "smog pump" in addition to the catalytic converter and o2 sensors. The AIR pump pumps air into the exhaust manifold to help burn up more fuel and reduce NOx. In IL, where I live, as well as in Wisconsin, the smog/emissions test for an OBDII (1996 and newer) car is to check the ECU for codes. If the ECU isn't giving off any codes, you pass. OBDI (1995 and older) and OBD0 (pre 1987) cars have to be run on a treadmill at 2500RPM with a sniffer in the tailpipe (which is much harder to pass obviously).