2000 Maxima SE with 165,000 miles, California car. Keep getting check engine light, code thrown is for catalytic converter. Mechanic says replacement converter is $800. Not sure the car is worth dropping another $1000 on it, so looking for other options. I found universal replacement rear cats for $165 on the Magnaflow website. Are these useable on our cars? Do I need the 2, 2.25, or 2.5" diameter inlet and outlet?

Thanks in advance!

Keith

 

Depends on what state you live in. If you live in CA or NY, you will need a CARB certified cat and any online or brick&morter store will only only sell you those. They cost a lot more than the non-CARB ones.

Now, if you live in any of the other 48 states, you are in luck. You can get the much cheaper ones you are looking at. Be sure you are looking at the right catalytic converter. The Maxima has three: 2 pre-cats and one main cat.

 

I'm in California, as stated in my original message. I do need to have a CARB compliant cat. I found this http://www.magnaflow.com/02catalytic...iversal=441304, but they have three versions, with different inlet and outlet diameters, all California compliant. Anybody used one of these?

 

Ideally you need OEM Genuine Nissan Catalytic converter to get rid of the code and turn off the SES light.
Second choice is to get OEM aftermarket part, I recommend to buy it from rockauto.com
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...965&cc=1359222

Just double check it yourself, dont trust your mechanic , go to nearest autozone and hook up your engine to OBD II scan tool to give specific code for specific catalytic converter.

Goodluck!

 

I saw this part. It says it is not legal for sale in California, yet it is listed as a California Emissions part. ????? Great price, though!

And, I have my own OBD II scan tool, and I have the code that my car has been throwing for the past four years. Until now, however, I've been able to reset the code and it stays off long enough for me to get the smog check completed successfully before the code gets thrown again.

Keith

 

Kindly post the specific OBD code. If the code is specific to precat, you need to replaced those precat, sooner those deteriorating precat will destroy your valve and piston.

 

Believe it was P0430.

 

Sounds right, I think that's the middle catalytic converter. Don't take my word though.

 

Total exhaust reversion huh?

 

Hey maybe this can help but I had to do a smog today and it totally completely passed except for the fact that both banks had a code. 0420 I think... and whatever the other bank is...

and btw I had to pay $300 to get it illegally passed. Because of the stupid code. It passed clean otherwise.