Catalytic Converter (Cali VS. FED) Options

[barterj]

I need a new front Catalytic converter for my car. Its a 2.2L and is cali. emissions. Is there any difference in the front catalytic converter for a cali emissions cat. and a FED emissions cat.?

[presure2]

if by front, you me the cat attached to the manifold, then no, the cali spec cat has an opening for an O2 sensor that the federal model dont have (pre '96) but, the actual cat itself is the same, you can just plug the hole.

[demmahom34]

if by front, you me the cat attached to the manifold, then no, the cali spec cat has an opening for an O2 sensor that the federal model dont have (pre '96) but, the actual cat itself is the same, you can just plug the hole.

So your saying if we get a new cat we wont need the o2 sensor after it ? (In all other states besides cali)

[slavie]

if by front, you me the cat attached to the manifold, then no, the cali spec cat has an opening for an O2 sensor that the federal model dont have (pre '96) but, the actual cat itself is the same, you can just plug the hole.

So your saying if we get a new cat we wont need the o2 sensor after it ? (In all other states besides cali)

You will need the front cat and the downstream (post-cat) O2 sensor or else the car will throw a check-engine light for "catalytic efficiency below threshhold". If your state requires there be no check engine codes to pass inspection, you're screwed and will have to have both front cat and two O2 sensors. This is because your car "knows' it has california emissions bs and will check for it. (replacing the computer with a federal one is possible but not practical, as you will also need to change the fuel injectors and maybe the distributor and throttle body)

The second cat is not monitored by the computer and will NOT set any codes. You can just get rid of it and replace it with a straight pipe, as long as your state does not have a "visual" inspection where the inspector would look for all the components being present.