Ok California guys...I need your help here!! I am being told that the catalytic converter, in California, is approx $280 just for the part?? It will only cost me $45 bucks to get the damn thing put in so if I can find it cheaper out there in the internet world I sure would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Does the Universal Fit work in Ca on our cars?

Mac

Do we not have anybody from California on here?? I need some good news here guys so let me know what you know about wonderful state and their rediculous environmental regs!!

I know Sacramento is represented in this club so if you know anything more than what has been discovered. Anywhere else in America the cost for the Cat would be approx $105 to $125 installed - out the door! Here in beautiful sunny California the lowest cost I have found is $325 installed - out the door! What a bargain!

Come on California...belly up to the bar!!

Mac

Have you tried your local Midas? I don't normally frequent there, but at the recommendation of the owner where I buy my used cars (and send friends there) that'* where I went. They had a good crew of "car people" so, that helped. They're a lot like the instant oil change places. Some great ones...some terrible ones.

Achon...yeah I tried them all and they are all running between $325 and $450 so I am thinking about a different direction!

Can you or anybody else tell me if the CAT needs to be wleded on or can it be clamped and still perform as good? I can get a CAT that is not specific for the 2000 Bonne but the shops cannot install it so I am thinking that I can have someone cut the old one off and just clamp the new one on instead of taking it into a shop to have it welded on? This part is a little over $200 so it will definetly save me some dough! Any advice would be appreciated!!

Mac

It would be better to have it welded, but there really is no reason that you can't clamp it on. You may want to add a bit of muffler seal to be sure that it seals properly.

Archon, I had thought these catalytics were bolted to the exhaust flanges from the factory and not welded in. That would make for a quick do-it-yourself fix if that were true. I wonder if AllData says anything about that. :?

Anyway, a good muffler shop is Brownie'* over on Ventura street. Another good one is Gary'* over on Blackstone Ave.

The standard direct replament does have a flange where it meets the rest of the exhaust system, but it doesn't sound as if that is what he is looking at.

Thanks Archon, that'* what I thought but wasn't sure.

I'm thinking a direct replacement will cost more, but a person can just bolt it on; that'* what I would do anyway. Plus, you don't have to have it welded on every time like you would with the universal unit.

Guys -

You all DO know that cat converters are covered under a special waranty. right? First off...what year is this car? If it is the '05 that is in your siggy, you are covered. If the car is less than 7 years old and you have less than I think it is 100,000 miles, you are covered. Don't go buyin' anything new if you don't have to buy.

^ ^ ^
Yeah I see he'* got an '05 AND an '00. . . I don't know which one he'* referring to though.