Need a cat

[scorn001]

Looks like a need a new cat now. Anyone have any recommendations on an aftermarket cat that will get rid of my P0420 code and get me past inspection? My buddy says this is going to be about $500+ fix from Mazda, hoping I can beat this.

Thanks,

-Tim

[channelmaniac]

What year car?

On my 1.6L cars I just went with an aftermarket high flow cat. Ended up with a little louder exhaust, it was less than $200 installed, passed inspection with flying colors, and butt dyno approved.

RJ

[Mingle]

oh yea, you can beat that. i think i got my 2.5 inch high flow for $180 at lorentz muffler.

[Miatamoto]

Check Ebay for Magnaflow cats. They're bolt in and under $100. I'm not really sure if they are a performance upgrade or not.

[Titus]

I read that starting next year you need an OEM cat for stock class autocross. I don't think anyone would protest it locally, but it is something to keep in mind if you want to autocross the car.

[POS Racing]

I read that starting next year you need an OEM cat for stock class autocross. I don't think anyone would protest it locally, but it is something to keep in mind if you want to autocross the car.

Where did you read that??

[CraiginTX]

Check Ebay for Magnaflow cats. They're bolt in and under $100. I'm not really sure if they are a performance upgrade or not.

+1

I got mine from www.autopartswarehouse.com for around $80 shipped, bolted right in. A little louder than stock, who knows if it actually flows better - but it doesn't rattle and it's not pulgged up.

YMMV and all that...

[sammm]

Where did you read that??

I thought the rule has always been OEM up to the cat to stay stock.

[Titus]

Where did you read that??

I thought the rule has always been OEM up to the cat to stay stock.

Per Mr Hollis:

They make both OE replacement (legal for this year) and hiflow cats (not legal ever in Stock).

For next year, Stock will require OE cats only so you'll need to find one of those. Convertergeek.com sells refurbished (i.e. cleaned but not rebuilt) re-certified cats for a fraction of the new price.

[POS Racing]

Per Mr Hollis:

Interesting, I knew you could do OEM or OEM equivalent replacements 's, hence my question.

[scorn001]

+1

I got mine from www.autopartswarehouse.com for around $80 shipped, bolted right in. A little louder than stock, who knows if it actually flows better - but it doesn't rattle and it's not pulgged up.

YMMV and all that...

I've got a standard '99, manual transmission. Did you go with a Magnaflow or an Eastern Catalytic? Nearly all of the Magnaflows appear to be universal fit, which as I understand it, may mean it has to be welded in. I'd rather have a bolt on if I can get it, but at the same time, it sounds like most people use Magnaflow.

Thanks,

-Tim

[joe.MIATA]

How many miles are on your car currently?
I understand that that emissions system is warranted up to 80K miles, but that would be an OEM cat.

[black roadster]

I've got a standard '99, manual transmission. Did you go with a Magnaflow or an Eastern Catalytic? Nearly all of the Magnaflows appear to be universal fit, which as I understand it, may mean it has to be welded in. I'd rather have a bolt on if I can get it, but at the same time, it sounds like most people use Magnaflow.

Thanks,

-Tim

I also got a Magnaflow from them. Mine was bolt in.

[scorn001]

How many miles are on your car currently?
I understand that that emissions system is warranted up to 80K miles, but that would be an OEM cat.

About 156,000. Think they'll still honor it?

-Tim

[POS Racing]

About 156,000. Think they'll still honor it?

-Tim

Shoot ya just missed it by a mere 76,000 miles.

[CraiginTX]

I've got a standard '99, manual transmission. Did you go with a Magnaflow or an Eastern Catalytic? Nearly all of the Magnaflows appear to be universal fit, which as I understand it, may mean it has to be welded in. I'd rather have a bolt on if I can get it, but at the same time, it sounds like most people use Magnaflow.

Thanks,

-Tim

Mine was a Magnaflow bolt-in. Fit was perfect, and I reused the old gaskets with no problem. I later replaced one of the gaskets when I installed my header.

[VFR750]

How old is your 02 sensor and plug wires?.............my 99 set the same code pretty regular, a new pre cat 02 sensor and plug wires fixed it. My car has a little over 80k on it and the sensor and wires were still OE.
good luck

[scorn001]

How old is your 02 sensor and plug wires?.............my 99 set the same code pretty regular, a new pre cat 02 sensor and plug wires fixed it. My car has a little over 80k on it and the sensor and wires were still OE.
good luck

Plug wires are about 45,000 miles old. O2 sensor I have no idea, I assume it is OE. I'll look into that.

I'm hearing some rattling from the back lately that started occurring before the P0420 error, so I assume that was the cat flaking out then.

-Tim

[MiataMike]

I went to a local muffler shop. The same "High Flow" cat that FM used they installed for me "Parts + Labor = $105"

[icepenguin66]

I went to a local muffler shop. The same "High Flow" cat that FM used they installed for me "Parts + Labor = $105"

Just be careful what you buy at the local muffler shop. The one I had put on about a year ago is making an odd noise. I thought I had a leak so I had AAA muffler take a look and the guy said there was no leak, just a low quality cat making noise. Possibly the wrong flow or size he said.