Ideas on replacement catalytic converters for '83 QV

I think the cheapest option is to have an exhaust shop weld in new cats. They'd remove your cats, cut the center section out, weld in new cats, then bolt the whole thing in again. Universal cats don't cost very much.

I have no idea what the CA laws are, but I bet universal cats made in this decade are better than whatever came on the car for emissions purposes.

Good luck.

 

You can try Magnaflow

 

A couple of considerations. I agree that newer tech cats are superior. Be careful, though. Most lower priced units won't last and some don't flow well. Don't use the 100 cel cats as they are unlikely to pass CARB even when new, and definitely won't after much use. You need at least 200 cels and quality really helps. If you don't mind the association, you might consider Porsche turbo 1991-1994 units that are high tech, high flow, and last.

I seriously doubt the Smog Nazis will pay attention to the brand of cat. When I have smogged my most notorious car [no cat] I have had the techs consistently point to the muffler and say "That's the cat, right?" - BIG nod from me. If you deviate from anything stock, don't smog at a Ferrari tech as they may fail you based on a non-CARB approved cat. [Please remember that it isn't that most techs aren't being greedy. They want you to use Factory bits as if they fail it is the part, not the tech. If they rig up something and it fails the tech tends to get blamed, right?] In the case of the P-car units, it gets a tad more complicated and some guys here don't like this kinda talk. For me, whatever works, looks right, and lasts.

Either way. Good luck!

John Rice

 

Sorry to say, there is no cheap aftermarket cat that's carb approved for the 308/mondial.

The cats that are CARB approved for the 308/mondial are not "NOS", they are current production, but they are certified for this car. They are just really expensive. ($400 each)

 

I too have an 83 QV and last time around the smog station I passed right on the numbers. Later on I changed the exhaust donuts only to find the cats were empty. So I'm heading down the same road right now. I have been qouted $700 for each cat to have them rebuilt.

Last time I poured a can of "Pass or don't pay" solution in the tank and ran it through. But I did it on a hot day in Bakersfield at a shop that had never even seen one of these cars.

Not sure what I'm going to do this time.

Do you know why it's so windy at the beach? Because California SUCKS!

 

I have a 85 QV... and the car had a test pipe when I bought it... I got tired of the stinky exhaust pretty quick... and bought a hyperflow (from Ricambi) - and it's been absolutely fantastic... I highly recommend one!

 

there are several universal soulutions but direct fit becomes a bit more of a trick I would first go to the dmv site for smog restrictions and approved cats good luck

 

I live in Calif and I have the same problem with my 85 308QV. Dealer quoted $6000 , yes six thousand and I was told before Jan 2009 I could have bought one for $1800,and I only have one. Try partstrain.com and apparently they have them called Benchmark for about $400 CARB approved and $300 for non CARB.

 

I've changed out many cats and have gotten more education than I ever wanted. Here's a little of what I've learned. Please jump in F-chatters if you know something I'm missing.

The Jan 09 law is not written well. Muffler shops have inventory of "universal" cats that they are not supposed to use?? The cats must be certified to the vehicle. Cats do come in a variety of configs. Not just the shape, and pipe size. The beds (brick with the pores) can have mesh ~.008" thick down to sub thou. The mat'ls are either ceramic or metal. There's debate on heat transfer etc as to which is better. The "wash coats" with the precious metals (the catalyst) contains typically Pt, Rh, Pd,Cm. The mfg's I've contacted tell me the wash coats are where the money is. OBD II cats have more metal and have a LEV rating. Part of these rating has to do with how fast it lights. The run her around the block hard then hook up for the test is ALL WRONG per CARB, and their intentions. The certification for the car starts stone cold. Cm has the property to respond the fastest (and I'm assuming the lowest temp) to commence the catalytic action. The downside is it doesn't last by itself, and must be mixed in the washcoat slurry with Pt.

Here's some "fun" info. Universal cats have a scrap value of a few dollars. OEM cats from German cars, and some Japanese can be a couple of hundred. The reason - the amount of metal in the wash coats. More "fun" A smog failing bmw had a new universal cat installed and failed with worse emission results! A new OEM cat was fitted and all was happy (except for the price). Based on much discussion with cat companies (those who I attempted contact - successful or not) Bosal, Magnaflow/Carsound, CATCO, I have focused my efforts with CATCO. Primarily for their knowledge, quality control, and price. I haven't looked into the cats with the polished bodies. I'm only concerned with cleaning the exhaust. If you do look at CATCO, I'd start with the OBD II cats with the better washcoat.

Here's the hardest part. The machine must be in really good tune. O2 sensors (if fitted), ignition, fuel delivery, balance, idle RPM is very important etc.

If it were up to me, I'd rather be studying the best waxes and tires

I hope some of this helps.

 

I live in Hawaii - no emissions testing.

What is ideal setup for my 83 Mondial QV Cab? [Car runs just fine right now. Car has 65K on it and I suspect the original cats.]

Get rid of cats?

Then what?

Retune the engine?

 

wow I learned a ton from that, thanks for posting the findings