Need CA Cat

[Dave]

I have searched the internet for catalytic converters for my 1998
Legacy Outback.

I am getting the ODBII code for catalytic converter bank1 being
inefficient - P0420.

Is Bank1 the front? Or must I replace both?

I have read in this group that <800 can buy a pair of CA cats, but all
I find online is the Subaru site selling them for $2000/pr.

I am guessing a muffler shop will be able to help me for less, but I
am frustrated with the lack of online info.

Please tell me where I can get CA legal cats which I will not have to
replace for a while.

Thanks!

--Dave

 

[johninky]

I have searched the internet for catalytic converters for my 1998
Legacy Outback.

I am getting the ODBII code for catalytic converter bank1 being
inefficient - P0420.

Is Bank1 the front?  Or must I replace both?

I have read in this group that <800 can buy a pair of CA cats, but all
I find online is the Subaru site selling them for $2000/pr.

I am guessing a muffler shop will be able to help me for less, but I
am frustrated with the lack of online info.

Please tell me where I can get CA legal cats which I will not have to
replace for a while.

Thanks!

--Dave

First replace the O2 sensors. Will have to anyways and more times
than not, new sensors will "fix" the problem. Use antiseize on the
threads.

 

[Dave]

First replace the O2 sensors.  Will have to anyways and more times
than not, new sensors will "fix" the problem.  Use antiseize on the
threads.

How many O2 sensors are there?

Two? Or more?

Non-turbo 2 cat Subaru system.

Thanks!

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

I have searched the internet for catalytic converters for my 1998
Legacy Outback.

I am getting the ODBII code for catalytic converter bank1 being
inefficient - P0420.

Is Bank1 the front? Or must I replace both?

I have read in this group that <800 can buy a pair of CA cats, but all
I find online is the Subaru site selling them for $2000/pr.

I am guessing a muffler shop will be able to help me for less, but I
am frustrated with the lack of online info.

Please tell me where I can get CA legal cats which I will not have to
replace for a while.

Thanks!

--Dave

420 can be a LOT of things: Cat, O2 sensors, even a clogged vacuum line.

Before you go spending a lot of money on parts, spend a little time
checking things out...

I found a clogged vacuum line after 2 O2 sensors...

 

[Dave]

420 can be a LOT of things: Cat, O2 sensors, even a clogged vacuum line.

Before you go spending a lot of money on parts, spend a little time
checking things out...

I found a clogged vacuum line after 2 O2 sensors...

OK, I think more info will help...

1998 Legacy Outback
180,000+ miles

Based on what I have read, it looks like the front O2 sensor is fine,
the rear/post cat O2 sensor could be slowing down.

The "before" O2 sensor slowing would trigger another code, the after
one might not.

I can see the before, I will have to go hunting for the after...

 

[Dave]

420 can be a LOT of things: Cat, O2 sensors, even a clogged vacuum line.

Before you go spending a lot of money on parts, spend a little time
checking things out...

I found a clogged vacuum line after 2 O2 sensors...

Thanks for the info so far!

Question: Is any welding required to replace the cats? It looks like
I might be able to do this myself with a little ingenuity. I know the
nuts will not be easy, but I would probably choose to crack them off
anyways.

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Thanks for the info so far!

Question: Is any welding required to replace the cats? It looks like
I might be able to do this myself with a little ingenuity. I know the
nuts will not be easy, but I would probably choose to crack them off
anyways.

Cats are usually bolted in, but on Toyotas they may be welded.
If it is a welded system (usually the welded system is from the cat back
to the muffler) you can cut the welds, flare the front pipe or adapt a new
pipe, AFTER placing the clamps on the pipe, of course! and get a universal
cat that will fit.

Most Toyotas (Oh, SNAP! Wrong group!!!) er, Subarus have a y pipe that
comes into the cat and then the rest of the system attaches to that.

Subarus usually have 2 cats, a forward and an aft. Here in Mass we have
what's called 'California emissions', meaning the environuts got a hold of
the legislature and adopted the CA standards. I have an '89 GL Coupe and
when we put the exhaust on we 'skipped' the rear cat. The car passed
emissions with almost new-car readings on one cat! However, if they put
the car oon the lift and you only have one cat you're going to have to add
it back.

Good luck!