Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Need to remove Rear Precat

I am getting a P0420 Code. So i know i have to replace my rear precat. I dont want to gut them because sometimes there are smog checkpoints around my area. I went through my haynes manual and not very much was said about removing the precats. i can tell that this will be a PITA but I really dont want to pay to have it done.

Does anyone have any advice before i do this?
Are there any gaskets that i should replace?
Should i do both manifolds while i am at it?
Should I replace both the rear o2 sensors?

any help is appreciated.

thanks

What kind of checking do they do at these smog checkpoints?? Just sniffer tests & visual of the main cat??

Does your area of California require a cold start test or do a visual for the precats?? If not, the main cat usually is enough to pass emissions. The precats add additional exhaust scrubbing when the engine is cold. Once warmed up, the main cat can do the work just fine - typically.

If you insist on replacing the precats, have you priced them new or gotten a line on a used set from someplace??

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They do sniffer testing. they actually put your car on a dyno off to the side of the street and sniff you there. I just dont want to do worry about things. I just want to be legal and do it right. but at the same time be cheap and do it myself.

It's been going on alot more lately because a lot of ricers are doing things the idiot way and going way too loud and doing stupid mods to their intakes and their manifolds. one of my buddies just removed his plumbing that holds the PCV on his Civic and just hooked things up directly, put some cheap short ram intake (not the legal kind) and had the loudest 2" ehaust i have ever heard.

he got busted for over $400. that was a fine plus he had to fix it. pay to be resmoged, plus all the parts he had thrown away after doing his 'upgrades'. To me Hp, TQ gains versus Fines is not negotiable.. so ill give up a little hassle on some money. i think it's cheap enough.

hey the money I save on fines or install i can use for my 3L.

Presumably you have more than 70k miles and are past the CA emissions warranty.

Suggest you read Big Jim's post on this thread P0420 before committing to replacement.

Don;t worrie about smog....i passed with no pre-cats, and only my main cat...and i have a 3 liter hybrid....just make sure the cars is warmed up for 20 minutes.


Also, if it is a bad cat, get the MIL eliminators to get rid of the CEL....or just reset your car the night before my removing the negative terminal.


Lupe