Exhaust: Which Would You Do?

[Tweetdriver63]

I'm about to get several things done on my 2001 base. One of them is exhaust work.

I've known the cats were bad the whole 8 1/2 years I've owned the car. When I bought it, the previous owner told me so, and that I would have regularly activating CEL with the appropriate codes. He wasn't lying. I've just lived with the need to clear the codes periodically, since the car has always run great and gotten good mileage.

I know the second cats aren't monitored, but I'm 99.999% certain they're bad too, since the main cats have been bad for the last 70k or so miles.

My plan is to keep the back box, but replace the rest.

I have a choice how to go forward. I can get used manifolds/cats from a breaker for $700 (pair) off a 2001 that has about 115-120k miles. Or, I can get new non-OEM ones for $1097 (pair). Or, and I'm definitely not doing this, I could go OEM for a ****************-ton of money.

I'm going to replace the second cats/pipes with Circuit Werks resonated test pipes.

Show of hands. Who would get the used manifolds/cats and who would get the new non-OEM ones?

[997_986]

There is also the possibility of sending in the housings and having the catalytic converters replaced with 200 cpi. That would be my plan A. The used ones have the decisive risk that they are defective or otherwise unusable. For $700 the risk would be too high for me. With the non-oem ones it would have to be clarified which cell density is installed. I do not know if 200 cpi throws a CEL on the boxster, but that would be Plan B.

[Tweetdriver63]

Originally Posted by 997_986

There is also the possibility of sending in the housings and having the catalytic converters replaced with 200 cpi. That would be my plan A. The used ones have the decisive risk that they are defective or otherwise unusable. For $700 the risk would be too high for me. With the non-oem ones it would have to be clarified which cell density is installed. I do not know if 200 cpi throws a CEL on the boxster, but that would be Plan B.

The non-OEM ones don't say anything about xxx cpi, but then again, I don't see that in the listings for any cats. They are These.

[Tweetdriver63]

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on new non-OEM manifolds/cats, but not the eBay ones. I checked Rockauto, and they have the Davico ones for $481 and $395, for a total with tax and shipping of about $992 for the pair.

I'm happy with the decision so far. I've always had very good luck with Rockauto parts. Never had any complaints about their customer service either.

Now grabbing a pair of the Circuit Werks resonated test pipes.

[Danimal]

Let us know how it turns out!

[Tweetdriver63]

I've made the appointment at my independent garage. The car goes in Oct 31st. They can take as much time as they need.

List of things to be done:

--Install new manifolds/cats, both sides.
--Install Circuit Werks Resonated test pipes, both sides.
--Inspect O2 sensors and replace as needed.
--Install new AOS.
--Install new spark plug/coil Oil Tubes.
--Inspect plugs and replace as needed.
--Install new Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor.
--Install new Fuel Filler door locking unit.

I have all the parts on hand. (It's nice when your garage lets you provide the parts.)


And finally, track down the short that is causing the C3 fuse (Windows/Remote Locking/Interior Lights) to blow out as soon as the fuse legs make contact in the fuse box.

Time to get this car up to speed.

After this is done, I'll be getting the seats recovered. Local shop quoted $750 for 2-tone leather, and he does very good work.

[rlordjr]

Why worry about cats at all? No emissions in TN.

[Tweetdriver63]

Originally Posted by rlordjr

Why worry about cats at all? No emissions in TN.

Kind of tired of having to reset the CEL all the time. Just working on getting all my vehicles back to normal order.

[997_986]

I was in the same boat (needed 1 cat) and bought a used genuine one because I wanted to get the car ready. Flawless.