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Joined: Sep 2005
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I'm not going back to CA. And to tell you the truth, i'm not worried about meeting emissions. My county did away with the VET so I'm really not that concerned. It is the main cat thats a dud. I'm going to gut it and weld a straight pipe in.
I know the headers don't have anything to do with my problem. I just figured if i was going to be doing exhaust work, i might as well get headers. I've been wanting to for a while.
00 CSVT Black/Midnight Blue
2.5L DOHC Duratec V6, 200HP, MTX-75
MODs: K&N Filter, SVT ovals, Autometer gauges, PIAA 510's, Alpine S-type FE/Pioneer R, Pioneer Premier Series reciever
#603 of 2150
92 Cavalier 1.8L I4 (Beater)
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by Geddup Noise:
I'm not going back to CA. And to tell you the truth, i'm not worried about meeting emissions. My county did away with the VET so I'm really not that concerned. It is the main cat thats a dud. I'm going to gut it and weld a straight pipe in.
I know the headers don't have anything to do with my problem. I just figured if i was going to be doing exhaust work, i might as well get headers. I've been wanting to for a while.
Read the rest of the posts. The dealer quoted you $1900 - that's for the pre-cat replacement. The main can be done at a shop for well under $200 installed.
Additionally, the main RARELY poses a problem. The precats are subject to extreme temps & temp changes as well as a good pounding from the exhaust pulse - those are most likely the problem. Question is, how did you decide that the main cat was the problem? Getting CEL codes? If so, it's your pre-cats.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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I didn't make that assumption on my own. I had an engine analysis ran. The body shop told me it was the main cat.
When i called ford, i told them i needed a catalytic converter and they quoted me that price.
00 CSVT Black/Midnight Blue
2.5L DOHC Duratec V6, 200HP, MTX-75
MODs: K&N Filter, SVT ovals, Autometer gauges, PIAA 510's, Alpine S-type FE/Pioneer R, Pioneer Premier Series reciever
#603 of 2150
92 Cavalier 1.8L I4 (Beater)
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,693
Hard-core CEG'er
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That's very interesting. Since the downstream oxygen sensors are UPSTREAM of the MAIN CAT, how were they able to determine that?
Unless they took gas readings with the engine running from before and after the main cat, I question the diagnosis.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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CEG\'er
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Could you gut the pre cats, use MIL's and just have a newer main cat put on and still pass inspection if you have the car warmed up at inspection time?
1998.5 Silver Frost SVT
#4978 of 6535
160,000 miles and still going..
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As long as the car was good and warm (what the precats usually work during)
AND
your car is running, otherwise, healthy and clean
then yes, easily!
'99 CSVT - Silver #222/276
In a constant state of blow-off euphoria.
Originally posted by Kremitthefrog:
I like to wear dresses and use binoculars to watch grandmas across the street.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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Originally posted by rwea14:
Could you gut the pre cats, use MIL's and just have a newer main cat put on and still pass inspection if you have the car warmed up at inspection time?
There have been reports that you will not pass using only some of the "high flow" main cats.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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Newbie
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Newbie
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Hi all, I am a brand new member, but have visited here several times - so thanks for the great information.
I am having similar difficulties to the person who started this thread. I have a 98SE with 73K running a lean code which the Ford dealer tells me refers to failed cats. They have quoted me $950 just for the two pre-cats and that labor may be expensive, given that, "often the bolts break" as quoted.
I use or will sell the car in CA, so it has been baffling (pun intended ...) to find after-market pre-cats that will ensure passing CA smog.
So my questions are, (a) where might I find after-market cats? or is there some alternative option - that will ensure my goal of passing CA smog.
And (b) any sense of how to approach the breaking bolts issue - other than using patience / penetrating oil and or helicoils ...?
Thanks!
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Originally posted by tkortens:
...I have a 98SE with 73K running a lean code which the Ford dealer tells me refers to failed cats. They have quoted me $950 just for the two pre-cats and that labor may be expensive, given that, "often the bolts break" as quoted.
.....
Welcome tkortens. 
What is the exact code(s)? Failed precats cause codes P0420 Bank 1 and P0430 Bank 2. Those are not lean codes.
Some lean codes are P0171, P0174, P1131, P1151. Get the car scanned for free at Autozone or Advance and post the codes. I think the precats cost $600 to $700 each. So the $950 for two is a "steal" if that really is the problem.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Originally posted by Geddup Noise:
I didn't make that assumption on my own. I had an engine analysis ran. The body shop told me it was the main cat.
There's your problem right there. Get the codes read at AutoZone for free & search for them to get your answers ... OR ... take your car to a competent mechanic or CEGer who can help you out a little.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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