Ok, just got my exhaust tested and my back pressure blew the hose off of the gauge. The mechanic told me that my exhaust is as clogged as it can be. I got quoted at $1300 for both cats (apparently their is a catup near the manifold as well as the rear cat), gaskets, and labor. The problem is that I have a feeling that if I make this fix, something else will go wrong, leading to more repairs. I am not sure if I am going to have the fix done, or part out my car. I have a friend who wants to sell his toyota matrix, and I am thinking about buying that and taking over the payments. Does anyone in this forum live in the Fresno Area who can weld a new cat on, or help me figure this out? Any comments or suggestions will help. Thank you, Kevo1123

 

To my knowledge there is only 1 cat.
1300???
You can get a complete exhaust with a header for as little as 380 and you can go up even more depending on the quality. I don't know what gauge you're talking about but 1300 seems a bit high for a new exhaust, labor and gaskets. [&:]
At Midas I got my cat-back put on and that costed around 120 with welding.

 

CertainNeons (a very small number of SE/SXT's) came with a LEV configuration which added a second catalyctic converterbuilt into the exhaust manifold...You could get an OBX header, new catalyctic converter, and a complete cat-back exhaust for $500-$600 depending on the exhaust you chose, and you could do the work yourself since it would be extremely easy. There is NO reason why you should pay $1,300 for something like this...

 

I was wondering about a header to bypass the first cat, then putting on an ebay header. the only thing is I dont really know how to put an exhaust on. The restrictions in California are what jacked the price up, and that extra cat ($600). I have seen some on ebay for like $60, and I was wondering if a header + ebay cat + muffler would work for my exhaust. Would I have to weld anything?

 

cali neons have the second cat. if youlive there you might want to get 2

 

I have a cali neon and it does not have a second cat...... i had to replace me system and it only cost around 500. 1300 is INSANE!!!!! start calling around and if for some reason there is a second cat trash it. It will not effect the computer. I belive modern performance sells obdII compliant cats for pretty cheap. Call around, at least 10-15 places you can cut that cost in half!!

 

yeah I have seen those on modernperformance, but I was not sure about the second....If i can find someone, I will definently do that...

 

nharington, did you get it done in a shop or DIY? It is all a matter of finding someone to overlook the laws.

 

I decided to try to install a new manifold and cat in my car. The manifold order has been placed, and the cat needs to be ordered. The one that comes from modernperformance is like $220 and the outlet needs to be crimped so i can slide it into my exhaust pipe. I hope i can get it on okay without too many problems...keep you guys updated.

 

i got mine done in a shop.... new a friend that new a friend!! One thing i found out, is that with the header and then high flow cat, you need a section of flex pipe!! The welds to the cat broke about once every two weeks, it was a bitch, then i added the flex pipe and it is all better!!!
kevo... I have a stock 03 manifold w/o2 sensor and cat if you are interested!