Cost to install a universal cat

[PandaBear]

Direct Fit CARB / CalCat: $380-400 shipped, I can install it myself
Universal CARB / CalCat: $100 shipped, need some info on installation.

How much would it cost to ask a muffler shop to weld it on (labor hour)?

How much would it cost to just use butt clamp to put it on (assume the cheap clamp, since it wont rust in California)?

Is it easy to cut and clamp myself?

Same car: 97 Camry V6 with 150k miles. Zero rust.

 

[StevieC]

I would never use a universal cat unless I was selling the vehicle and it wasn't going to be my problem down the road and I needed to get rid of it.

As for easy it should be welded in place but I've seen them clamped in place. I wouldn't advise this for a number of reasons.

Really if you intend to keep the vehicle spend the money and get the direct fit, I would strongly advise OEM or a reputable brand built to OE specifications or you might wind up with catalyst efficiency codes.

 

[PandaBear]

Are Bosal and Walker considered reputable brands?

 

[BigD1]

The local muffler shop around here would weld it on for about $40 out the door.

This shop has been in business since the late 60's. They use to sell Walker mufflers and cats along with Eastern and AP. Now they only sell Eastern Catalytic converters and AP exhaust parts because the owner claims better quality. AP owns Eastern Catalytic now.

 

[Kira]

An educated exhaust guy everybody adored installed a Walker cat on my car and the harmony of quality work and superior material finish was plainly apparent. I passed inspections where a camera was focused under the car and the gas measured.

I do not know but I think your '97 would have good quality, legal parts available.

Go to the other side of the tracks for cheap.....trouble

 

[benjy]

Cali is said to be tough for emissions, i would talk to one or more shops on what you can do legally before spending $$$, get prices while you are there as well.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Walker is a good brand. Bosal, not so much.

You can probably clamp it together since you don't have rust in California. If you do, you should also consider using exhaust tape underneath the clamp. It becomes adhesive when the exhaust heats up.

That said, a shop shouldn't charge too much to weld it on

 

[dishdude]

If the car's not worth a direct fit, it's not worth fixing.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Keep in mind that a universal catalytic converter will often set the SES light with a catalytic converter efficiency code. This has been the case with all universal cats I've used, though on some, the code was intermittent. They just aren't as robust or well made as an OEM unit. On GM vehicles, I was able to reprogram the ECU and remove the code permanently.

 

[mk378]

"Universal cats" are not legal in California. You need one that is CARB registered and numbered for your engine family. Labor costs would be the same as installing any other exhaust part.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted by mk378
"Universal cats" are not legal in California. You need one that is CARB registered and numbered for your engine family. Labor costs would be the same as installing any other exhaust part.


The universal he posted claims to be CARB compliant. Didn't know that was such a thing.

 

[Nick1994]

Local Mexican muffler shop charged me $40 for my Jeep to weld it in.

 

[Chris142]

Just pay the $50 to have them weld it on. Saves you the aggravation of getting dirt in your eye's.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted by benjy
Cali is said to be tough for emissions, i would talk to one or more shops on what you can do legally before spending $$$, get prices while you are there as well.


It is a CARB certified California universal cat, legal.

http://www.walkerexhaust.com/catalog/converters/e-catalog-lookup/82609

Engine Family # VTY3.0VJGKFK; Legal for use in the states of California and New York.; Modifications and/or Additional Parts Required.; Executive Order # D-182-57

https://www.amazon.com/Walker-82609...439389&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull
$112 on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Walker-81755...439423&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull
$365 Direct Fit also on Amazon.

 

[supton]

The old cat, how hard to pull out? I'm guessing you can cut the bolts and it'll drop out? Still, even if it was $100 to have someone weld in, it's a $200 difference. I'd lean towards having the cheaper one welded in, worst case is you have it done again in 3 years. I just don't see a V6 model having much value.

That said, I'd be tempted to go with the bolt in, just to avoid dealing with a shop.

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted by Chris142
Just pay the $50 to have them weld it on. Saves you the aggravation of getting dirt in your eye's.


Yep. $100 max at a muffler shop.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted by supton
The old cat, how hard to pull out? I'm guessing you can cut the bolts and it'll drop out? Still, even if it was $100 to have someone weld in, it's a $200 difference. I'd lean towards having the cheaper one welded in, worst case is you have it done again in 3 years. I just don't see a V6 model having much value.

That said, I'd be tempted to go with the bolt in, just to avoid dealing with a shop.


CalCat has 5 years 50k miles warranty. Not sure if it means you have to do it at a shop to get that but in theory it should last long enough to not worry about it ever again.

V6 has a much higher cost of ownership when old. No rust in California, so not even cutting the bolts, you can just use PB Blaster and a breaker bar and it'll drop right out, you can even reuse the nuts and bolts.