Hey guys, I don't know cars well so hang with me. I have a 96 Neon that recently failed a smog test. After the diagnostic the mechanic said that I need a new catalytic converter. He said something about it being computerized and only the dealership has the cat--and that is would cost $515.00. I was skeptical, and talked to my friend about it (who does know cars very well). My friend said that I could get one at an auto-parts store for about $100.00, and installation would cost about $60. Would you guys say this is accurate? And what type of catalytic converter do I get for a 96 Dodge Neon?

 

just get a stock replacement....the second price would sound about right....but not the first

 

A Magnaflow Cat Converter from Modern runs $65.

Install it yourself (very easy) and then have someone weld it on for about $20.

 

i found a magnaflow Cat. on ebay for 50...uncluding shipping

 

them smog check guys dont know their *** from a hole in the ground.... they did away with smog check here cuz brand new cars werent passing it by a long shot

 

speaking of cats.. does one run crappy without a cat on it? i still have both o2 sensors in, just the cat has been replaced with pipe
could that be why it seems to be slackin so bad?

 

well i heard in this forum about post 95's the downward sensor talks with the PCM bout the mixture so if thats true then most likely it could be causing it to slack.

 

sucks before i got this car i threw away a complete new exhaust system off one , well for what it cost for a magnaflow it might be worth a shot, we dont have any sort of inspection or smog check around here so i never bother with stuff like that very often

 

i had a pacesetter header, no cat, 2.5in. pipe, and a fart muffler on my last r/t and it ran great......it was just very loud

 

i found the problem with it slackin off, 28 psi fuel pressure, im surprised it even runs, lol - time for a new pump