Topic: Catalytic Converter on first gen

[cowsinblack]

I bought a 82 toyota crawler recently that was used out in the desert and the previous owner took off a few things to desmog it but didn't take off everything. I'm trying to build it back up to pass California smog. From what I can tell, the plastic/rubber extension piece that runs from the carb air filter to the radiator and connects to the manifold is missing. Also, more importantly, the cat was taken off. The previous owner gave me a cat that he said would pass smog but I'm not so convinced. When I went to a few exhaust shops to get it welded on, they all said that the cat does not have a code on it that would verify its ability to pass the current emissions standards. But when I talked to a buddy of mine who's a mechanic, he said that there wont be any visual inspection of the cat besides it just being there and all their gonna do is a sniffer test. Do you guys think I should trust the cat and weld it on? It hasn't been beaten up or filled with dirt or nothing, looks fine. Also, anyone know where I might be able to find that carb air filter housing extension piece?

[jimbo74]

go to a station that does smog and ask..... I think the exhaust shop just wants to sell you a new cat..... I know there has been a lot of new stuff passed, and not all cats are legal in CA, but I think iif it does the job, it really shouldn't matter.....

[Snowtoy]

The older style now non-CARB approved cats burn chambers were rather small, and didn't get enough or last long enough to pass CA's smog tests.  This is what happened to one of the old style aftermarket cats I bought back in '04.  With less than 10k miles on it it failed the idles portion of the test, the NC's were to big.

In these side by side pics you can see the difference in the size of the burn chamber between the
Plder aftermarket and OEM:


and the older aftermarket and new CARB approved cat:


With the age of the cat that came with the truck unknown, it might be worth considering buying a new CARB cat and avoid having to pay to have one installed twice.

[cowsinblack [OP]]

I've been looking at cats online from flowmaster that are about $170 with the right California code on it but I've also been seeing some $50 ones that say 50 state legal. Could I trust the cheaper one? I talked to a local muffler shop welder and he said that if the exhaust is modified at all(I've got a straight piped flowmaster ), they'll do a full inspection of the exhaust so there aint' a chance I could pass with it whether it burns off emissions fine or not.

[Snowtoy]

Don't need to drop that much on a cat, you should be able to find a CARB approved weld on for between $75-125.  I think I paid about $100 for mine through Napa auto, and  Rockauto.com has one for $108.

[cowsinblack [OP]]

I'm struggling to find one online that is CA legal for under $170. I thought I found some cheaper ones but I guess they're 49 state. If anyone has a link to one from Napa or wherever I'd really appreciate it.

[HogCanyonHopper]

http://www.rockauto.com/

search under your year truck. they have one that is CA compliant

[cowsinblack [OP]]

Thank you, I found it for $108 on rockauto. Best price I've seen for sure.