Vincenzo Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 My 2001 Outback has check engine light on, gives catalytic converter code. Wanted to get opinions on the after market catalytic converters, such as Eastern Catalytic. The are about $350 cheaper than the dealer version. My main concerns are that the light goes out and vehicle passes Colorado emissions test. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 Welcome to the forum. I assume you're getting the P0420 code -- if so, that doesn't ensure that the cat is bad. See http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=101583 and the links within it for more info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charm Posted July 25, 2009 Share Posted July 25, 2009 Take your car in if, like me, you don't have the tools and know how to analyze the system. Have the mechanic run the diagnostics to ensure that you need cats. I'm told, that most P0420 codes are the result of bad O2 sensors. While I ended up replacing both of mine, they weren't the problem. Go through the above steps first, they're much cheaper than the cats, even the aftermarket ones, and the work is probably needed anyway. After that, DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE CHEAP MUFFLER SHOP!!!!! Can you tell I did this? I just replaced my cats for the 2nd time in 18 months. I forgot to look where you're from but if you're from the Seattle area, don't take your car to Bucky's! I have 2 mechanics that I take my car to. One is a Subaru only shop and the other is owned by a relative. I get a discount at the one owned by the relative. This later shop recomended a Bosal setup. It's a completely assembled unit minus the O2 sensors (the bungs are attached). The rate of failure on it is very low (similar to the Subaru unit) which is why my relative is willing to install the Bosal instead of the OEM unit. All of the other systems he's looked at for Subarus, the rate of failure is much higher and he won't sell them. So, as somebody who just went through this process for the second time in 18 months, go through all of the steps and don't be afraid to go to the more expensive shop, it's likely to cost you less in the end. Oh, and if I had it to do over again, I new Bucky's was doing a crap job while they were doing. I should have had them pull the car off the rack, loaded it onto a flatbed, and had it towed elsewhere. Would have saved me around $1000 and a lot of aggrevation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 If it does end up needing cat converters be careful what kind you get/ who you go to to get the work done (if your not doing it yourself). I've seen Subarus with universal cats. welded in place of the stock ones and fitment looked to be horrible, actually on a forester the other day I saw where im assuming a shop took a cut off wheel and cut out part of the trans crossmember so the 02 sensor could properly fit with the universal cats...ridiculous.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StructEngineer Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 I used a direct fit car-sound (Magnaflow) cat and have not had problems for the past 20,000 miles. Purchased it on ebay and was careful not to buy a drilled out test pipe. While I was at it, I replaced the piping with OEM direct fit pipes, and also purchased new NTK O2 sensors. Since it was all bolt on, no welding required so I could do it in the garage. Took an afternoon and saved me at least $500. I heard way too many problems with Eastern Catalytic and wouldn't waste the time with one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Eastern is crap. period. How many miles are on your car? If the cats truly are bad it may be covered by the meissions warrenty. this is one of those times where it would pay to take it to a dealer. Even if your cats are bad, replacing the O2 sensors wont be wasted money. They may need to be replaced anyway if the car has over 100K on it, as thats about thier design life. They may last much longer, but if your trying to diagnose a problem, its not wasted money. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincenzo Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 OK thanks for the help. I'm looking at the O2 sensors now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Front one needs to be OE, rear can be from anyone. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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