I'm talking about the catalytic convertor on a 2002 6 cyl caravan not the 4 legged type!
I did a search and didn't find an answer to my question so I'm asking for some help.

We are getting a CEL that tells us the cat is not working correctly .
The local garage is telling us that it will cost about $800 to fix. I talked with Midas and they are telling me that if I get a direct replacement cat from NAPA they wll install it for around $140. When I searched the NAPA site they listed it for $360 and said it needed an additional pipe for around $20 That gives me a total of $520.

As I searched further I saw I can get a cat from Autozone for $240.00 and it had the pipe already atttached. Installed price would then be around $380.

$800, $520, or $380 is a big difference. Can anyone tell me the difference between them? Is the Autozone one OK?

Although I hate exhaust work I might even consider saving the $140 by doing it myself because the motor was recently changed and the bolts are most likely not frozen. Also I have a tailpipe expander for the other end if needed.


OH a bit more info-- the van has about 120K and we recently changed the motor because some idiot put something in the gas. We changed the O2 sensor when trying to get it going and did a bunch of other things like plugs wires etc. Thus, I am 90% sure the problem is the cat because we can reset the CEL and it takes a few days for it to come back on.

Sorry for the long post - I just wanted to give you all the info --

 

I have tried to use the one from NAPA and it was a nightmare. If you are going to use an aftermarket cat. then it is worth the money to have someone else have the headache.

 

There are 2 way and 3 way cats with the 2 way being cheaper. Check out www.rockauto.com for the selection they have. I guess I don't have much faith in Autozone for things like this.

 

Here's a link to where I bought mine, I installed it myself about a month ago, the installation was straightforward, it even came with the clamp and gasket so I didn't have to buy anything else. It's the 2nd one on the page, lists for $194.
http://www.discountcatalyticconverte...nts=partfinder

 

Thanks guys that is what I needed to know..

Kevioll -- the price is fantastic The best price I have saw on the Eastern cat before your info was $240. This works out to $210 delivered.
That's enough savings for a brew or two...

 

I just got the cat - To my suprise it came with the gaskets, clamps, and new bolts. There was even a return sticker so I could get money back for recycling the old cat.