how hard is it to change a cat. converter

[eurowerkz]

i need to get a new cat cuz mine is junk now i cant pass smog n the shop is telling me it will be 1200 to put it in and im like wtf id rather do it myself.it cant be that hard riiiggghhhtttt???

[Panzer_M]

not hard at all. the part is the $$, but any muffler shop can cut and weld it in for less than 50$ least that's the price around here in Florida. But we don't have emissions.

[PHL]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but wondering if any one had anything to add. I'm pretty sure my catalytic converter is on its way out.

I know I can buy an aftermarket unit and have a shop weld it in for between $200-150 (that's with parts included). Or, I can buy a complete direct fit DEC unit with the pipes for $270 and do the work myself. Installation seems pretty cut-and-dry, but doesn't it always? Any one tackle the job and have any hints, especially around the manifold? I plan on doing the O2 sensor as well, anything else?

[IndianaTravis]

Where can you buy the unit for $270? Cheapest I've seen is closer to $350.

You'll need a special tool for the oxygen sensors, and I'd probably buy all new bolts because I'd guess you'll end up cutting or breaking the heads off of the old ones due to rust.

Go for it. I'm doing mine in the spring.

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by IndianaTravis

Where can you buy the unit for $270?

Drivewire has a Magnaflow unit for the M44 priced at $78.28 with free shipping.

According to the response from Drivewire Customer Service... " It will work with 49 state emissions and will have a lifetime warrenty against defects." The "against defects" bit tells me to not expect it to last very long.

For comparison, Midas quoted me $560 for a remanufactured unit, but that includes a 5-year, 50,000 mile warranty. Meineke quoted $750 for the unit. Oops, I forgot to ask about the warranty. Both of those prices are for the unit only, not including installation.

I'll be calling my mechanic today to see what he can come up with on parts, etc.

Regarding the original question of "how hard it is to install"... if your exhaust system is all welded together, and it seems that most are, the biggest issue may be whether or not you have the tools and skills to cut and weld the tubing.

JMJ

[madfronter]

359.95 for a direct replacement Cat. from bavauto.com

[pdxmotorhead]

http://www.randomtechnology.com/
Smaller lighter good warrantee and outflows just about anything. (Especially in the all metall unit.)

Dave

[PHL]

A not-so-thorough search yielded the following:
partsandaccessories.com $246.39 with free shipping
catalyticconverters.com $253.04 with free shipping
car-stuff.com/autopartswarehouse.com $269.01 with free shipping
Bav Auto $309.95
BMP Design $329.95
Bimmerworld $359.99
Ultimate Garage $395

From what I could see, the particular part is manufactured by DEC, which is recommended by the last two sites in the preceding list. The part number is BMW1435, but may also be 18 30 1 737 983 (I'm not sure about this).

The first several sites have the lowest price, but it may be worth it to support the specialty websites. They also list other manufacturers on their site. Ultimate Garage offers free technical support, as well as all the hardware needed for installation, i.e. bolts and gaskets. Bav Auto sells a kit for $50 or so, but I'm not sure what is included in the kit. The oxygen sensor is $72 at Bav Auto, compared to $78 on Pelican. I believe you can rent the tool at AutoZone for the sensor? If it's anything like the spring compressors they have available, I'm sure it's unwieldy and weighs more than the car...

[pdxmotorhead]

FYI to change an O2 sensor...

Removal tool is called a pipe wrench. Works great.
I usually just break the old o2 sensor off and use a big socket.
The new one only goes in firm not much torque required or reccomended.
Usuallly come with antiseise pre applied on threads. Works best if you run the car til the pipe is just uncomfortable to touch then remove sensor and install new one. The warm pipe is expanded and the cold sensor threads in nicely.

Dave

[IndianaTravis]

Okay, the prices above are for the '95 cars. Mine is a 96, so the converter is more expensive. It also takes two oxygen sensors, which are also more expensive.

From what I've seen, though, the exhaust is not welded on at all, but held with bolts. Probably very, very rusty bolts.

[Mad-Machine]

hmmm.. looks random technologies it is.. Just discovered that I need a new catalyst as well

[minihoover]

Hey my Cat just died, has anyone installed any of these "performance" cats? Which one do you think would work best? $1,300 is a little pricey for a '96 ti with 120k miles on it. Thanks.

[Severian]

Originally Posted by roadrash

Drivewire has a Magnaflow unit for the M44 priced at $78.28 with free shipping.

This is the converter that I bought. My mechanic said wouldn't work because the shape of the cat...BMW's OEM cat is offset, so the input tube and output tube are not lined up through the center of the cat. This magnaflow unit is straight-through.

I believe I still have that cat laying around.

[roadrash]

Luckily, my CEL went away, so I'm in no huge rush to replace my catalytic converter. I still want to replace the muffler because it's too loud for my taste. That's relatively simple to deal with though. :-)