codek

Need to pass smog. Please advise. Non star.

Had to replace cats with art test pipes, have currently one working cat

PP08HR

iTrader: (2)

Well ya need 2 cats for sure. Then pretest and post results.

MicVelo

^^^^^ This.

Love it.... "I *HAD* to replace cats...."

Right.

Without cats in place, you'll fail visual before they ever shove the probe up the backside.

All the rules and regs you need are at CARB and DMV

codek

I got a hole in one of them. The test pipes were a cheaper replacement. I could use the extra mpg as I only got a couple of horsepower from the test pipes.

Anyone know where I can get a cheap one asap? Are the ones at the junkyard reliable?

How much would it cost to install/deinstall the cats?

Thanks! in advance.

PP08HR

iTrader: (2)

Here ya go. Buy these from a member here.


https://my350z.com/forum/exhaust/603...2-sensors.html


Installation figure 1-2 hrs which translates anywhere from $40.00 to $250.00 depending on where you go.

zakmartin

Most decent recycling yards will guarantee their salvaged parts for 2 or 3 months. Call ahead to make sure.

Also, check Craigslist. I see cats pop up on my local list from time to time. Run them through a closed loop cycle with a scan tool that checks emissions before you agree to pay for them.

zakmartin

Here's a set on the Seattle Craigslist. It'll fit your car. The guy might ship.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pts/5236439711.html

codek

I've called some recycling yards and have heard the same.

How do you run "closed loop cycle with a scan tool that checks emissions"?

What scan tool would I need. I want to test them out before install.

Thanks for the help.

Is there a way to protect myself from the craigslist guy to make I get them and they work? paypal protection?

zakmartin

There are a ton of scan tools out there that'll run an emissions test. They need you to run the tool during a full cycle, from start to warm-up to a test drive to a shut down. Without going into detail about lambda readings, etc., when your car is in closed loop, it means it's at temperature and the computer is cycling air/fuel ratios so that you're not running rich or lean. You'll generally see your 02 readings running back and forth between positive and negative at this point and it means that your car is processing the air/fuel mixture optimally and you're meeting the emission requirements from that model year.

A tool that's been around forever that will run a test like this is the . I used to own one but upgraded years ago. It makes doing an emissions check really easy with the three lights on the front (green, yellow, red). Just looking at those lights while you run your car through an emissions cycle will tell you if you're going to pass or fail. If you fail, you'll usually get a code that will tell you where the problem is coming from (bad cat, O2 sensor, etc..) If you're going to do a lot of work on your own car, a decent scan tool is an absolute MUST HAVE. You can also get Bluetooth or Wi-Fi smartphone scan tool hook-ups and apps that have other cool features on them (I still use a Razr, so this option doesn't really fly with me.)

For hand-held work, I was using an , which I still have on my diagnostics cart. Lately, I've been using my PC and an https://www.autoenginuity.com/ set-up along with an older Snap-on 2-channel scope.

Prices vary from a few bucks to several thousand. Just make sure that you get one that will check your emissions with drive cycle verification.

Regarding Craigslist, maybe you could work something out on Paypal. Ask for photos (lots of them) and ask why they pulled the cats from the vehicle in the first place. If they say they replaced it with hi-flow cats, ask which ones. If they seem knowledgeable about performance modifications, then this alone will tell you a lot. I had both my cats fail by the time I rolled over 22K miles on my 08 and I've owned it since it was brand new. Mine were replaced under warranty and the tech told me that this was a pretty common problem with our cars. Still, used Craigslist cats for $70 seems almost worth the risk compared to what you'd pay for brand new ones.

If you can get cats from a board member here who's been around for a long time, that's going to be your better bet, since they have reputations to maintain and people tend to know each other around here.

Anyway, good luck.

MicVelo

That is great info Zak! Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

Mic

codek

Seriously! I learned a ton from his posts. ****, I might just read Zak's posts just for fun.