1979 308 Carbureted I did a lot of searching but came up with a lot of old posts that led me to a few companies that are no longer in business.... So I hope a new question is OK. Perhaps his can be the go to thread for 2022. I need a new Cat... what's the best option? Can you tell me your experience? I see the company that Re Cores the original, but I think I might prefer a modern one as the performance will be better correct? If people can post makes and model and websites that sell them that would be awesome. Thanks!!!!
Find a company who sells DEC cats: https://deccats.com/Page/About-Us/a671db37-233e-4792-b454-fc3444edf2f9 (Although I note that DEC wrongly shows you need only 1 for your 1979 308B/S when you need 2.)
I live in CO. Elevation 5,000 feet. Yes, I know I CO is supposed to use CARB Compliant Cats, but there aren't any real options and I can legally pass emissions with a normal one. So going that route.
I purchased a Fabspeed CAT for my QV from a fellow FChatter and couldn’t be happier. I was previously running a “test pipe”, loved the sound hated - the smoke. The smoke reminded me of a ‘49 Oldsmobile - for those of you old enough to remember. The Fabspeed sounds just as good as the test pipe. I live in a county that only smogs when the car sells but but I’m told the Fabspeed will most likely pass. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
Red QV,. On the website, It shows this for an 84-85? Why is that? is it different? https://www.fabspeed.com/ferrari/308/?fbclid=IwAR1YLuRgZpMUex5HKJ8hm9kOqjY2htLT6kV2lfZ8ZItQqqi4UjfjB-XjJac
I recommend you contact the guys at Fabspeed. Maybe they can recore your oem with something that is ca compliant.
I contacted Fabspeed and they werent much help... They said the 308 sport on their website will only bolt up to 84 and 85 years.... But honestly the guy I spoke with didn't seem to know much. RedQV, you got one to work, what year is your QV and what Exactly did you purchase? do you have a pic?
Do an internet search on DEC 84301. These guys say that they have them in stock (and the price isn't crazy IMO): https://www.2040-parts.com/new-dec-catalytic-converter-fe84301-i2178783 (The '78-'79 US use two smaller cats. '84-'85 US use 1 larger cat = no good for you. '80-'83 US use two different smaller cats = also no good for you).
The CAT that I have is the 84-85 Sport. Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
As an option, Pacesetter makes one for your car. I put a new cat on my 328 a few months ago and have been happy. I bought mine from NextLevelmotorsports.com.
Steve Maggnuson. That is perfect. Thank you. That answers my questions on the year difference. Sounds like that DEC is a good deal. and I need two of the exact same ones? RED QV, Thank you for the pic, yes that is different from mine.
Yes, if you still have the stock US '78-'79 308 exhaust path architecture -- which looks like this: Image Unavailable, Please Login
OK, so I found the DEC CARD Compliant ones... If I dont NEED to get the CARB compliant ones, should I? are they more restrictive? or is it the exact same thing? But Steve taht one you linked to, is kinda like a Buy Sell website and they are not actually in-stock, no one actually has it. I cant find it in stock for sale anywhere.
Calif CARB legal cats for 78 GTS at https://arb.parts/Vehicle/1978/Ferrari/308-GTS. I know you are not in Calif but in Calif the last smog check I had the tech checked both cats (I had to remove the heat shield) to insure they were either OEM or CARB compliant. He also noticed the coils weren't OEM and asked if the ignition had been modified. I produced the CARB certification for the Pertronix I have installed. This smog stuff is serious business. At least in Calif and NY there is the potential of huge fines and even legal action being taken.
FWIW Not sure how involved you want to get but several years ago for my 79 GTB I ended up getting some Magaflow universal cats that were California legal and had some flanges welded up and once the carbs were right had no trouble passing California Smog. My notes had them as "Manaflow 36004 universal" I looked on the website and they no longer list them but I am sure there is a substitute. Google brought up this for specs https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mpe-36004#overview Good luck
OK, The Bolt on can be found by DEC. Need a Dealer to order, this guy can do it: https://www.discountconverter.com/direct_fit_catalytic_converters/direct_fit_detail.cfm?productID=50853 CARB compliant is model FE84301 (Aprox $1500 Each) Normal is Model FE4301 (aprox $600 ish each) Magnaflow universals can be cut with Orig Flange Mounts welded on to fit, cheaper.
Any PC1 cat(s) that fit are legal in California. Brian Harper pulled his car through the SMOG knothole in 2019 to get new cats. It was relatively inexpensive. See post #20 in the link below. The problem is that our cars are not listed in the books that the California SMOG shops use and it is easier for the SMOG shop to just say to "go away" rather than do the work to figure out what is approvable. What you need is "Appendix G Smog"
I bought a PaceSetter catalyst for my friends 308 QV. They're not CARB compliant (this only truly matters if the car has less than 7,500 miles). Car passed CA smog with flying colors. Not sure on the earlier 308 options. Be aware you'll need the donut crush seals too (I bought from superformance in the UK who has been wonderful to deal with). https://www.carid.com/1984-ferrari-308-exhaust-parts/pacesetter-direct-fit-catalytic-converter-3804088951.html?utm_source=email&utm_medium=order&utm_campaign=order_tracking_number
There’s also Hyperflow if you’re looking for a high-flow sporty option that supposedly still will pass smog. $$$
I've got a set of re-cored OEM cats that I never used. I sent them away to where the vender cut one end off, cleaned out the melted matrix fit a new matrix to the housing and reweld. I believe at the time the active honeycomb matrix material is standardized. I've been exempt from emissions testing for many years and the car is now de-smoged. Bill
I used Magaflow cat and fittings from Columbia River Mandrel Benging. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
