It's time for my Maryland state emissions test and I need a new catalytic converter. I talked to a local mechanic who was telling me that he has had a lot of trouble trying to get TLs with aftermarket cats to pass the emissions test. He said finally they just switched to the OEM models.

Any recommendations from other MD drivers for aftermarket catalytic converters that will get past the state test? Or should I just go with the Acura model?

Thanks!

 

??? havent heard of aftermarkets cats not passing (unless they are the really cheap ones)

The RT cat sold by our vendor Excelerate is far cheaper than the OEM unit is a performance cat and no one has had issues passing tests with it. Maybe talk to a different mechanic or exhaust shop in your area.

 

I've got my OEM one laying around here somewhere (I think).

 

Go ask another shop or 2 that does acura repairs and may also do smogs
Ask another muffler shop what they install-and how $$$
they have to use the right parts- this used to be unregulated, but not any more.

Every cat that gets replaced in this country--- is supposed to have a paper filled out for the feds--as to reason for mileage and replacement. If its failure, damaged, missing/stolen, owner request....

 

For example, RT high flow cat is 49 state legal, meaning it will do the job a cat should do. Are they checking your emissions or are they plugging into obdII and reading sensors?

 

Thanks for the guidance, guys. I found another shop nearby that does a lot of emissions work, and they confirm that they have never heard of any issues from using aftermarket cats. I'm going in there on Wednesday to get this taken care of. The price they're quoting me is less than half of what the dealership wants for an OEM.

The state inspectors plug into OBDII, I think.

 

Try to get a guarantee that the new cat won't set code p0420. This is a VERY common problem with aftermarket cats on hondas. I don't have any experience with Random Technologies, but after I spoke with their rep., I'd be willing to try one. He said they would guarantee their cat wouldn't set a code. Then he hedged a little bit and talked about replacing o2 sensors as they could have caused the initial cat failure. It's not a bad idea to change the sensors, and it will probably help your fuel mileage, but know up front that they almost never cause the low cat efficiency code. In my own experience, and about a hundred on a mechanics forum, code p0420 became a problem after convertor reolacement. This is filtered down to acura/honda only. In almost all cases, these were name brand obd2 compliant convertors. [No mention of Random Technologies] In almost all cases, it took the expensive oe convertor to cure the problem. Good luck, and keep us posted. I'd love to have an alternative to honda's $1000+ solution!

 

Cleared emissions fine with the aftermarket cat and replacement O2 monitor, and so far no codes. Came in well under the dealership estimated cost.

 

I've had the Random Tech cat for a good bit now with no codes

 

I'm glad it worked out for you. I haven't been as fortunate a few times. Do you know what brand the replacement convertor is? I'd be grateful if you could find out.

 

Same here. My entire exhaust from the block back is aftermarket and I've never had any issues with my dealership or emmissions tests.

 

Just an update here - my aftermarket catalytic converter lasted about 6000 miles. According to the mechanic who checked it out, I need a new one now. It should be under warranty, but the shop that installed it has gone out of business. So it looks like I am out of luck.

Now I need to figure out if I'm going to try again with another aftermarket cat, or pay the $1000+ I've been quoted for an OEM install, plus another $1000 or so for the timing belt (now at 105K miles), and a bit more for the idle air control valve. I've been thinking about at least trying the converter install and iacv cleaning myself, but I'm not going to mess with the timing belt. If I pull the old cat, I'll be sure to post the manufacturer name on this thread.

Or, if there's anyone out there in the DC area looking for a 99 TL in decent shape, keep me in mind.

 

Post a WTB thread in the Black Market. Some members have upgraded to a high flow cat. I'm sure they're willing to sell their OEM one.

 

See if you can determine who made the convertor. It might be listed on your invoice. If you can figure that out, get it exchanged. Your warranty is from the manufacturer. Even if your installer went out of business, you are still covered by a federally mandated warranty. Your current mechanic might be able to help you determine what brand the convertor is. Come to think of it, you should have a small piece of paper besides your invoice with the warranty info on it.

 

I was hoping to find the converter manufacturer info on the invoice, but it's not there. I can get under the car and check it out, but I won't have any way of proving to the manufacturer when it was installed. Worth a shot anyway, maybe.

 

It sounds like you don't have the warranty slip, it's a separate piece of paper about the size of a bank check. Are there any abbreviations or numbers on the invoice? Have your mechanic look at the convertor, many have a name stamped on the shell. You invoice should serve as proof of purchase to the manufacturer. Good luck.

 

Try to extend the o2 sensor further out from the catalytic converter. That is a trick to help alleviate that code from popping up from aftermarket cats or catless cars.

 

I read on this forum:
That is done by adding a plug defouler.