Direct Replacement Cat for '99 EX

[lburden]

I took my '99 EX in to get a problem with the AC looked at and they also checked into why the check engine light was on. The guy I bought it form said that one of the O2 sensors was out. It turns out the sensors are fine but the cat isn't filtering anymore.

Where can I get a direct replacement cat? I would prefer a hi-flow but it really doesn't matter. If I get a direct replacement I can replace it myself instead of getting a universal cat and having to get it welded in. I have done some searching and found several sites, I just don't want to get ripped off.

Thanks.

[nitebeest]

You could just go to the Honda dealership parts counter and get one from them. I've seen a few sites that have cats for Civics. I think I saw a high flow cat (aka test pipe) on JCWhitney for $70. Also what setup do you have? Stock exhaust/headers or do you have an aftermarket exhuast setup on your car?

[lburden]

Everything is stock.

The only aftermarket part(s) on the car when I bought it was a cold-air intake. I actually took it off and re-installed the stock air cleaner simply because it was one of those generic intakes you get off the shelf at autozone or something. I think it was doing more harm than good.

I really want to avoid the dealership. They charge so much for there parts.

Are all hi-flow cats just simply a test-pipe? If so then I guess I'll just go with the OEM cat. I really don't want to have to deal with the hassle of changing it out when I need it to be legal. It's a SOHC, it's not worth the hassle or $$$ for a few hp's!

[nitebeest]

Yea. As far as I'm aware all hi-flow cats are just test pipes. They just market them as hi-flow cats. If your exhaust is all stock though there really isn't much point in getting a test pipe anyways. You'll still be restricting the air flow prior to and after the cat. If you had an aftermarket exhaust then I'd say go for the test pipe and just get an OEM one to switch out when you eventually have to get a smog in 2 years or whenever you have to renew the smog part.

[lburden]

Where can I get an OEM cat?

[nitebeest]

Just look around on different auto part websites or go to some of the auto part stores near you. Worse comes to worse you can go to the dealership, but they're usually always high priced.

[lburden]

I've already done that and I have found a few websites. I was hoping for a recommendation from somebody so that I don't get ripped off.

[nitebeest]

I've ordered stuff from JC Whitney and Summit Racing before. Both have reasonable prices and I got the stuff pretty fast. Never actually gotten as major as a cat from them, but they both list items by make and model so if you find one for your car it should fit right.

[eckoman_pdx]

All high flow cats are not test pipes, and whoever toldyou that is wrong and gave out bad information. A true High flow cat is just that, a cat with a higher flow rate.

Random Technoolgies makes Street Legel High flow cats.

http://www.optionsauto.com/prodinfo....r=RT-18-222007

Here you go. Options Auto has there high flow cat for your car. $215 plus shipping, and that price includes the install kit. That will save you at least $300 over an OEM cat. Their cats are good quality and bolt right in. I should know, I have one on my car, and it's passed emissions fine with the random tech cat. When my oem cat went bad I put a randon tech high flow cat on, and it passed with flying colors and saved me a ton of $$. The random tech cat is a TRUE high flow cat, not a test pipe. If anyone advertises a test pipe as a high flow cat, they are wrong and full of it, if it's a test pipe, then it's not a high catalyic convertor, because it does nothing. It's just a piece of pipe.

Since you need a cat, go to the options auto link above and pick up the random tech cat, save $$ over overpriced OEM pieces (It can cost over $600 for a cat from honda) and get a true high flow cat, that passes the tailpipe test, for a heck of a lot less than $600.

[nitebeest]

Thanx for the correction. I forget who told me about the whole test pipe = high flow cat thing. I'll have to hit em next time I see em though. I thought it sounded a little off, but wasn't quite sure. Sorry for the mis-information. I might have to check out that site though and maybe pick one up while I'm at it.

[lburden]

Thanks for all the information! Like I said, I just wanted to get recommendations for webistes that I can order parts from. I don't want to get stuck with something that I can't use or that will last just passed the waranty.

Thanks again.

[nitebeest]

Yea I'd go with the high flow cat that ecko recomended from options auto. As he said it'll save you a lot of money over OEM and you get a legit high flow cat.