1998 Q45: aftermarket catalytic converter (CA)?

[gtfarrell56]

Hi. It's time to replace the catalytic converters (actually the whole exhaust system) on my 130K mile 1998 Q45. Can can anyone recommend an aftermarket option? This is a California car (in Connecticut).

thanks for any help you can provide.

[Q451990]

First of all, to NICO!

I'm sure some other folks will chime in here for you. If you decide to try to find a working used system I would check on www.car-part.com

Heath

[paranoidjack]

First of all, to NICO!

I'm sure some other folks will chime in here for you. If you decide to try to find a working used system I would check on http://www.car-part.com

Heath

Been there, done that. I made it 170k on my exhaust, amazed yours is bad so fast?!

Anyway, you won't find a full system on car-part. I use that site all the time and love it - HOWEVER, it is against Fed guidelines to ship used catalytic converters, so you'll get H-pipe back.

I bought an H-pipe back system (pretty much the whole exhaust minus the cat downpipes), WITH all 4 o2 sensors, off of a car with only 72k on it for $250 shipped.

CALL THESE GUYS- http://www.2chiefs.com/

They told me they have over 20 Q's in the lot!!! They specialize in higher end foreign cars, and they were a pleasure to deal with. Seriously, call them first. Remember, you will ONLY get the H-pipe back, which does nothing for your cat problem.

Davico makes cat replacements for our cars, but I hear they are garbage and the welds come apart in years. Also, fitment was a slight issue and parts needed to be bent. I read every review I could find on the internet about these cats before deciding to spend $500 more and have SS piped up locally and custom.

Here's a link to the Davico (this is the PASSENGER SIDE ONLY):
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/detai ... 18069.html

My solution? When I can afford the $1,000 I was quoted, I will have a local shop (including cats) weld up custom downpipes, to join to the H-pipe section I bought. Then my car should have no issues for at least 3-4 years for only $1250.

In the meantime I "put-put" around and hate every second of it.

[gtfarrell56]

Great information. I will definitely follow up with 2chiefs for H-pipe back and figure out what to do about the cats. Nice looking 2000 Q!

Thanks again.