I'm going to purchase a converter on ebay for a friend (01 jetta 1.8t), who has just put a 3" downpipe on it. going for a 3" in/out (to match flange size), with ceramic substrate. This dude is on a budget so the cheaper the better.

I've noticed a bunch of the short, round types w/o heat shields, like so:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Catalytic-Converter-High-Flow-Stainless-Steel_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33629QQihZ003QQitemZ130199485547QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

my question is, does anyone know if these round shieldless units are worthy and function just as well as a more traditional one? (like the Carsound below).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Magnaflow-Carsound-Catalytic-Cat-Converter-94109_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33629QQihZ003QQitemZ130197955637QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

This question is probably more opinion, but for some reason I feel weary about purchasing a cheaper converter.

[Edited on February 18, 2008 at 10:42 PM. Reason : =]

2/18/2008 10:22:09 PM

I just but a brand new Cat Converter on my IS300. I was going to get an aftermarket Cat, but after about 2 days of research, I wasn't convinced that it was the best move. I talked to my mechanic and decided to go with a newer model OEM. Damn thing wasn't cheap. $1,600 installed. (That included replacing both O2 sensors at my request).

2/19/2008 10:02:32 AM

there is a 0% chance I would ever buy any OEM cat unless I had no other option to defeat a check engine light. get the cheaper aftermarket one, even if it won't last as long. you'll probably sell the car before you need to replace it anyway.

2/19/2008 10:32:23 AM

^^that sucks... ane what ^ said is correct, complete waste of a big chunk of that $$

2/19/2008 10:48:26 AM

why not just get software... i think revo & apr both delete the CEL and it will make your car faster.

I mean i've seen a catless jetta get inspected before and pass (resonator that looks like a cat).

2/19/2008 11:17:59 AM

I prefer the term "catalytic resonator"

2/19/2008 11:47:03 AM

The OEM Cat is already great. If he had a 3'' DP put in, and doesn't plan on going back to stock, then he should just have the factory cat cut out of the factory DP.

Spend the money to get a decent cat, or with factory software you are most likely to throw a code. You can also get a spacer for the rear 02 that has a high success rate.

2/19/2008 12:19:49 PM

^and ^^^, good info.


As of now it's a stock tune, and probably will remain so, since the owner is going off to college.

maxima, can you send me a link to that o2 spacer?

2/19/2008 12:57:41 PM

the cheap ones won't last more than a year or two if that. incredible waste of money if you don't go OEM. i wonder why you had to replace one on an IS.

2/19/2008 1:10:31 PM

The following is taken from VWVortex:

Quote :

"Wayne Schmidt has developed a fitting to solve the CEL problem. His fitting has been thoroughly tested and is running on hundreds of VWs with a stellar success rate. The sensor is installed at a 90° angle to clear the heatshield and ground. The fitting is CNC machined from 303 and 316 stainless steel, guaranteed to last forever and is a completely reversible modification. Wayne's fittings are available by emailing him directly: spaethschmidt@yahoo.com. "

A thread on a DIY fix
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1366095

2/19/2008 1:43:25 PM

I drive my IS300 pretty hard. It has over 107,000 Miles on it. Not to mention, I have heard that the IS300s have two more common problems. The damn 6 Disk CD changer sucks and the Cat goes bad at around 110K. I get an allowance from my company for car expenses...so I opted for the OEM material. I also was worried that an aftermarket Cat could cause some O2 sensor problems. Yes, I know I spent more $ than I had to, but I didn't want to deal with an ebay Cat. The OEM Cat came with a 35K warranty.

2/19/2008 2:30:55 PM

OEM cats have an 80k mile warranty, mandated by federal law
that is when they are the original cat on the car.

[Edited on February 19, 2008 at 2:35 PM. Reason : clarify]

2/19/2008 2:33:38 PM

^^ if you had to pay for this 100% out of pocket you wouldn't have gone OEM i bet

2/19/2008 3:11:50 PM

probably cheaper to do software...

i've had mine that way for years. never had a problem getting inspected at jiffy lube

2/19/2008 3:39:14 PM

Quote :

"The damn 6 Disk CD changer sucks"

it also usually breaks before the warranty is up. Mine broke 6 mos after I bought the car. It'll break again, but you can have it sent off and repaired for less than $150 incl. shipping.

Quote :

"Yes, I know I spent more $ than I had to, but I didn't want to deal with an ebay Cat. The OEM Cat came with a 35K warranty."

i don't think you spent too much. OEM cat is the only way I'd go.

dash rattles are common on older IS's too.

2/20/2008 1:10:04 AM

and those damn OEM cats are the exact reason they're being stolen for the small amounts of platinum they contain. at $2000 an ounce (i didn't look up the exact trading price), they make for cheap cash for thieves.

2/20/2008 8:04:16 AM

^^where did you send off the CD player?

2/20/2008 8:53:40 AM

More info on the rear 02 spacer:

Quote :

"Unfortunately, I'm currently backordered on the angle block. I will be machining a new batch, but they will not be ready for apporximately 2 weeks. The part goes for $36 shipped (USPS Priority Mail). If you're interested, let me know and I will put your name on the reservation list. (no need to pay now) Let me know! If possible, please respond to my new e-mail address wayne92SLC@yahoo.com Thanks, -Wayne "

2/20/2008 3:56:29 PM

got some flanges and gaskets on order... going with the factory cat.


yeah homeboy is on the Vortex as well.... cant remember his handle tho.

2/21/2008 12:56:19 PM

www.carstereohelp.com/strlexus.htm

i used this guy, but apparently he stopped offering service on the fujitsu ten radio/cd changer as the parts aren't available at a reasonable price. it's a pretty shitty unit overall, so i'd suggest replacing it with aftermarket whenever it breaks again.

2/21/2008 8:51:38 PM

bttt per request

10/7/2008 9:08:15 AM

I'm thinking about redoing the entire exhaust on the 944. The headers suck so instead of patching up these exhaust leaks, I'm just going to go SS custom. (Longtubes into single 3")
Now my understanding is you can't mix metals, so that means I'll need a new muffler and catalytic convertor to go on the car. Any suggestions on websites I should check out for high flow (500+CFM 3" in/out)? I'm finding "high flow cats," but most are only 400 cfm. Does the Cat need to be SS or will a ceramic coated cat be just fine?

Here's what I've been recommended:
http://www.flowmonster.com/410200flowmonster2ceramiccatalyticconverter-1-1-1.aspx

I also understand I have two options; ceramic substrate and metallic substrate... I assume they are referring to the internals of the cat?



[Edited on October 7, 2008 at 9:31 AM. Reason : .]

10/7/2008 9:22:58 AM

^substrate is the internal, correct


why dont you get what you like best, in terms of materials, and just flange the exhaust in a few sections... cat-converter, muffler, etc. easy removal/install, dont have to worry about the welding results (even though it really doesnt matter, unless you are a nitpicky fagg about mixing metals).. and that's assuming the flanges are the same material as what they are welded to.

10/7/2008 9:29:30 AM

^Gotcha. I intended to have each "component" flanged for easy removal anyways (headers to flex pipes, flex pipes to a y pipe, y pipe to cat, cat back to single, single to muffler). Nm. I see what you are saying. I just thought there would be an issue with a SS flange coming in contact with a non-SS flange. But then there'd still be a gasket, so that should be fine.. OKAY! Thanks, it makes more sense now... ( I guess I'll just reuse the cat and the muffler which are already flanged... and just use ss headers and piping... I hate that part of my exhaust is shit brown already )



[Edited on October 7, 2008 at 9:52 AM. Reason : ,.]

10/7/2008 9:46:27 AM

I've always loved the dynatech offerings:



they have oval case models as well, and cat converters too.

my .02


EDIT:

Dynomax bullet mufflers... ive got a 5" I/O at the house. $60ish, and they're stainless to boot

[Edited on October 7, 2008 at 10:03 AM. Reason : -]

10/7/2008 10:02:32 AM