i need new cats

[willabeest]

had bruce pettit look at my 1992 with 85,000 miles he feels that i flunked smog because i probably need new cats. (it was tested with CATS hot). with my nsx club discount that would come to 1800 dollars. anyone know if there are any other options? (besides spending 1800 dollars in cats).
TIA.

 

[BlKeViL]

I'd have a set if you interested, PM me.
MP

 

[Briank]

Failure of the cats is very rare so unless you can say there has been something done to kill the cats like running just super rich for a long time or running leaded fuel which is all most impossible. I would be looking at the O2 sensors.

Post in the parts wanted section, call ERZ or try http://www.randomtechnology.com/ for aftermarket cats.

 

[willabeest]

Failure of the cats is very rare so unless you can say there has been something done to kill the cats like running just super rich for a long time or running leaded fuel which is all most impossible. I would be looking at the O2 sensors.

Post in the parts wanted section, call ERZ or try http://www.randomtechnology.com/ for aftermarket cats.

i admit i know very little about this stuff. i went to the acura dealer told them i flunked smog (elevated hydrocarbon only). figured i would get the plugs changed, air cleaner changed, oil changed and retest. they did dx tests on the vehicle said the oxygen was fine at both ends (?) and that the car was running fine and that if i continued to fail with the cats hot then i probably need new cats. not only that but they said it was pointless changing the sparkplugs. i noticed dali has cats for a lot less than OEM so i figured i would get those but i am going to be depressed if that does not fix it.
i have until 2/2/06 to get the vehicle smogged. car runs fine BTW.

 

[NorCal91NSX]

I had smog trouble for the past 3-4 months and finally passed yesterday. I put on a set of used cats from a '91 and new oxygen sensors. Also got the cat's real hot (was a cold day as well) and the car passed with no problem. I'd check the O2 sensors and see if they're starting to get lazy and heat up the cats with a good 30minute freeway drive. Also find a place that'll have everything setup as fast as possible for you. This was a cali smog as well. Good luck

 

[ediddynsx]

try www.oemacuraparts.com

 

[willabeest]

try www.oemacuraparts.com

no cats there as far as i can tell.
anyone try the dali cats (pythons)?
i like dealing with dali although i have to pay california tax with dali racing.

 

[willabeest]

I had smog trouble for the past 3-4 months and finally passed yesterday. I put on a set of used cats from a '91 and new oxygen sensors. Also got the cat's real hot (was a cold day as well) and the car passed with no problem. I'd check the O2 sensors and see if they're starting to get lazy and heat up the cats with a good 30minute freeway drive. Also find a place that'll have everything setup as fast as possible for you. This was a cali smog as well. Good luck

i talked to the smog state people over the phone. as soon as i have spent 500 dollars i get an exemption for 2 years. i think i will take the vehicle to a gold shield (their name) smog station have them spend 500 dollars of my money (i assume that means o2 sensors) then not worry about it.
it would make more sense to buy the dali cats and then test it but i have no assurance it will pass.
i hate these laws no wonder i hate big government.

 

[mystican]

I think Random Technology makes cats as well...try them out

 

[drew]

i have spent 500 dollars i get an exemption for 2 years

Good thinking.

After that the car has to be destroyed or removed from the state.

It cannot be sold within the state either.

Drew

/Well I just can't let it go at a snide remark:
1. There are places that rebuild cats : http://smithcat.com/howtobuy.htm (but even they state a dead cat is a symptom, not a cause)
2. People will let you borrow cats...I have a pair used (good), $250+ship takes it.
3. O2 sensors are a WEAR item, Acura recommends replacement (50K? 75K? something like that)
4. They DO make the air a lot cleaner...I remember all to well having scorched lungs once or twice a week in the 70's (Los Angeles). You couldn't even go outside for more than a couple of hours on most days. I don't like big government more than anybody, but the emission laws have made the air a lot less brown.
5. Your Acura dealer is probably quite clueless. This problem falls into to the "not obvious" category. Which means YOU LEARN or you take it to somebody WHO KNOWS. Either one will get the job done. This stuff isn't that difficult...

 

[klr01tlr]

I doubt its your cats unless you ran them with an extensive misfire condition. It looks like your car just barely failed according to your other thread. Dont replace your cats, make sure your secondary ignition components are good. If everything checks out, run a complete fuel injection service on the motor. Not the one you buy from the parts store. That service will clean the fuel injection system, carbon buildup in the combustion chamber, o2 sensors, and the cats. If that fails, I'd let you borrow my spare set of known good cats for testing purposes. Sometimes if the smog station does not calibrate their machines daily- it can give you inaccurate measurements which are usually higher than normal. You can try another reputable station for the test.

 

[Tony Montoya]

Why would you spend 500 dollars on stuff you might not even need?

I'm sorry I have no positive suggestions other than maybe you could get a set of used cats cheap. It totally sucks when the dealer asks you to spend big bucks with no assurances.

 

[willabeest]

I doubt its your cats unless you ran them with an extensive misfire condition. It looks like your car just barely failed according to your other thread. Dont replace your cats, make sure your secondary ignition components are good. If everything checks out, run a complete fuel injection service on the motor. Not the one you buy from the parts store. That service will clean the fuel injection system, carbon buildup in the combustion chamber, o2 sensors, and the cats. If that fails, I'd let you borrow my spare set of known good cats for testing purposes. Sometimes if the smog station does not calibrate their machines daily- it can give you inaccurate measurements which are usually higher than normal. You can try another reputable station for the test.

maybe i should just wait until they recalibrate their machine - i get one more free test at smog'n go. but if my fuel system is not doing its job, or the o2 sensor then i would rather get those fixed also anyway - probably would mean more power. i bought this vehicle last year so there would be no way for me to know if it was slower than it used to be. one thing though - i took it to an excellent mechanic at the dealer so unless he didn't work on it (he was supposed to but you know how that goes) i think he would know how the car was doing. he was working on it before i bought it. the cats at dali are made by random and they are cool looking and light. but i would rather not mess with stuff that works fine. i think i will
1. retest. get those suckers REAL HOT . if fails
2. new o2 sensor.get the injectors cleaned. test again. if fails
3. cats from dali. if fails
4. angry letter to the governator and sell the car out of state.
5. buy a newer NSX!

 

[ediddynsx]

no cats there as far as i can tell.
anyone try the dali cats (pythons)?
i like dealing with dali although i have to pay california tax with dali racing.

If you don't see it listed you just call them and tell them....they can get any part they are an acura dealer that sells parts at a discount.....but you might want to try dali......he might have some good used ones for sale....:smile: but try to see if its just some sensors that are faulty.......if not then replace the cats.....i got my cats for $1250 each from Southbay Acura and maybe oem acura can get them for cheaper so call them tommorrow and see.

 

[willabeest]

If you don't see it listed you just call them and tell them....they can get any part they are an acura dealer that sells parts at a discount.....but you might want to try dali......he might have some good used ones for sale....:smile: but try to see if its just some sensors that are faulty.......if not then replace the cats.....i got my cats for $1250 each from Southbay Acura and maybe oem acura can get them for cheaper so call them tommorrow and see.

pythons are 550 dollars for two and weigh half as much as OEM.

 

[Racerxjling]

If you are going to spend $500 I would replace the O2 sensors since it is due anyway with your mileage. If anything while you are under there change out the cats from Malibu Rapper. I still think the sensors alone will do the trick.

Jeff

 

[willabeest]

If you are going to spend $500 I would replace the O2 sensors since it is due anyway with your mileage. If anything while you are under there change out the cats from Malibu Rapper. I still think the sensors alone will do the trick.

Jeff

the previous owner got back to me. original 02 sensor so it has 86000 miles on it. i hope that is the problem.