A little CAT help...

Discussion in 'The SRTConnection Lounge' started by Stretch, May 21, 2009.

  1. Stretch

    Stretch Silver Supporting Members

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    Not for the Charger, but I need some input on a set of CATs for my better half's ... cough, cough... mini-van. She has a check engine light throwing a bad CAT code. Normally I wouldn't care too much but our wonderful Cali smog test is due and I need it for the registration. I checked around and everywhere I looked said due to CARB, it is a dealer only swap. Stealership wants $1,800 a piece for them to be replaced. I don't even think the car is worth much more than the $3600 it would be to replace them, maybe a little more but it has over 100,000 miles on her. Any ideas?
     
  2. Stretch

    Stretch Silver Supporting Members

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    BTW... most places I contacted stated the CATS are VIN specific required for the Smog test input...
     
  3. Cheatek

    Cheatek SRT once, SRT always

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    Drew, couple things. Don't know make or model or how old your van is but my first thought is to hit a junkyard to see if you can find some used ones. And there's gotta be an exhaust shop around there somewhere that will put them in. Hell do it yourself. And that VIN thing can't apply to older cars,that's gotta be new (and STUPID as hell) but also isn't Cali smog eqpt on new cars warrantied for like 100K?? Maybe you're still under warranty. And worst case, trade it in on something new, that way you won't have to deal with it and you'll make the missus happy! :)
     
  4. ALABAMA MSRT8

    ALABAMA MSRT8 Full Access Member

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    good luck.
     
  5. Stretch

    Stretch Silver Supporting Members

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    Ya, I was looking at one of the Toyota X-Runner trucks. Need something to haul the puppies around in. Heck, Hemi, my Mastiff is 204 pounds now. Good idea on the junk yard though.
     
  6. master_1011

    master_1011 The Man.

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    There is no way on earth that your local joe-blow SMOG shop will ever know if your cat is VIN specific.....hell, I've never heard of that. But my high-flow on the neon passed.
     
  7. 1fastsedan

    1fastsedan Destroyer of Warranties

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    Take it here:
    http://www.edhansonsmuffler.com/

    Ed will make it right. Best exhaust guy in San Diego. He's worked on several local LXs and knows a few of us. Tell him Ralph sent you.
     
  8. 1bad4dr

    1bad4dr Mr. Meany

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    but you are Adam. lol
     
  9. Dysphagia

    Dysphagia Full Access Member

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    or do a simple 02 sim and reset the ecu...
     
  10. 1fastsedan

    1fastsedan Destroyer of Warranties

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    Knowing Adam doesn't get you old time buddy discount pricing, knowing Ralph does. :grin:
     
  11. 1bad4dr

    1bad4dr Mr. Meany

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    lol true dat. hahahahahaha and knowing Ron gets you a double charge. haha
     
  12. Stretch

    Stretch Silver Supporting Members

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    Ya Ralph sent me there to him and he couldn't help me, at least that's what his female assistant told me. They even looked to see if there was some other type of CAT from the same "family" they could use and no luck. They are the ones who first told me about the new CARB VIN thing. They said if it was under 100,000 iles, he could possibly do something, but too many miles on it I guess.
     
  13. MOL

    MOL SHOW & PERFORMANCE

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    that thing most have some funky style cat on it if ed could not help you.
     
  14. durangatang

    durangatang asphaultmeltingeuphoria

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    nothin a gallon of gas and a match can't fix
     
  15. Stretch

    Stretch Silver Supporting Members

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    LOL! Looks like we'll possibly be looking at new wheels for the wife tonight. Man.... just when I was trying to butter her up for my new wheels for the Charger! Maybe this will work to my advantage....hmmmmm...
     
  16. durangatang

    durangatang asphaultmeltingeuphoria

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    hmmmm...I think a GCSRT8 would be a suitable substitution for the departed
     
  17. Cheatek

    Cheatek SRT once, SRT always

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    So Drew what happened, did you trade that thing in a get something new or burn it to the ground like durangatang said, lol!
     
  18. Stretch

    Stretch Silver Supporting Members

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    Nope... it cost me $1,800.00 to pass smog...Lol! I just ordered custom wheels, paint and interior work... looks like I'll have to make a "Pimp Mommy's Ride" thread! We couldn't find anything that could carry Hemi (208 pound Mastiff) and get somewhat decent mileage.... so we're keeping it for a few more years.