I haven't been on here in a long time, but I'm hoping someone out there can help me. I have a 2001 Dakota SLT w/ 4.7L V8. Bought it used in 2008 here in NJ. It came with an aftermarket exhaust system, not sure what brand. It passed inspection twice already in 2009 and 2011. Took it again last week and for some reason they decided to look for and couldn't find the catalytic converter. Guess what, I failed. Now if I passed emissions twice already, I should have a one or more than one(duel exhaust) on there. Can anyone tell me or show me where the cat should be. Called a couple of places around here and they said it would cost about $1700 if I don't have the cat(s) on the truck. One place said it would be more if they have to order & install bullet cats, whatever those are. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanx.

 

I don’t know your local needs regarding SMOG laws but I will say because of the SMOG laws exhaust work has become every expensive. It used to be exhaust work was very cheap a full new muffler and piping would run around $250 not now that same work will run you $1300.

Did they say exactly what was needed on your report?

If it’s allowable in your state to install your own cat that can save you a lot of money but if you are missing the O2 sensors and other stuff it could get complicated and only a shop could do it.

Get a few estimates

 

Follow the exhaust up and see if you can find anything. Also see how how your exhaust is setup. Either true duals which each side of the engine has its own exhaust pipe or see if its the a single in and dual out adapter or muffler. Even if you have to get new cats you are looking at about 50.00 a piece for aftermarket ones. Id say a good exhaust shop could do it for around 300 or 400.00.

Edit I did forget about the price of o2's tho. Thats where it will get pricy. All depends what setup you have now. Do they actually test the tail pipe or is it just a visual?

 

What matters is that any cat meets your states standards for your car any shop should be able to tell what will fit your needs.

I will say that first shop is ripping you off if all you need is a cat or two its just cut and install unless the exhaust system needs to be completely changed to get a cat in it that could explain the price they gave you.

 

True duel exhaust. 2 seperate pipes coming out of the headers. They didn't do the exhaust test this time. They went straight to looking for the cat and couldn't find it. It has passed before when they have stuck the hose in the tail pipe. To me that means I have cats or something doing the job of the cats.

I have looked under the truck and followed the exhaust from the engine to the mufflers. I think I know what a cat looks like, but I haven't seen one. Now if ther is some kind of special "sleek" , for lack of a better word, cat that might look like the rest of the pipe, I wouldn't know where to look or how to pick it out from ther rest of the piping.

The first shop said they would have to special order the cats from the factory, plus labor. The second shop I talked to doesn't know if tehy can use a universal or not. Guess I'l; just have to take it in and see what they say.

Thanks for the replys so far.

 

Factory will run high $$$ universals work just as good at a small price Im guessing you will need an O2 or two also did you see them?

 

http://www.truckchamp.com/products/C...ber-45006.html

I think you can find them cheaper than that

 

Have you taken the truck to the same smog station every time? If not, go back to the one that passed you before....

btw, my cats are hardly noticeable. One coming off each side, then it looks like a 3rd after they join, but there are no sensors around the 3rd.

Edit: You can get O2 sensors for around $65 each. Now, getting out of my element -- the top guys will clear up what I muddy here: If you don't have cats, you must also have a different ECM (?) that isn't looking for their signal....

 

The cats are on the truck. They are attached directly below the manifolds. It took Mieneke all of 5 miutes to find them. You have to crawl pretty far under the truck to see them and they are kinda small, but they are there. And it didn't cost me a dime.

I took the truck back to inspection and passed. The guys at the inspection station were cursing Dodge for the way the exhaust was set up and how far under the truck the ha to go. I think the guys that faild me are going to get in trouble because the guys who passed me were asking what day I was there and at what time. All in all it was a good Saturday.

Thanks to all of you for your information.

 

Its really not that hard to spend an extra 10 sec to look for something that you cant see. Im not sure If I would want them inspecting my truck.