2001 Subaru Forester Catalytic converter question

[krutec]

My mechanic is telling me I need a new catalytic converter (P0420 code), but wants to charge $1,200. He said it needs a CARB compliant catalytic converter. I verified this on the emissions sticker.

I bought the car in Oregon and live in Oregon. Can I install an EPA compliant catalytic converter myself without any issues passing emissions? Or am I going to have fit issues / new codes popping up / etc.

 

[Dick Foster]

Only in the People's Republic of California would you have any problem. Since you live in the USA you should be okay. Last I heard the Californicated Air Resources Board has zero authority in Oregon. Just don't left your looney lefties get outta control or you too will be up the creek and up to your eyebrows in gubberment nonsense run amok.

 

[krutec]

Thank you, sir. Is the fit the same, though?

 

[Dick Foster]

I don't know what you have but they're out there.
I had direct bolt in on my rockcrawler after I'd bashed mine on a rock out of state somewhere. Either Utah, AZ or CO. It bolted right in and fit like a glove. I had it for several years so it went though many California smog inspections including the insane dyno test they've dreamed up in order to fail as many vehicles as possible in urban areas. Then one time a local smog nazi looked at the numbers and declared it not good enough for the People's Republic so I had to buy and weld in one with CA numbers on it. It didn't bolt in or fit but it had their precious numbers. Whether or not the truck actually past their stupid test, which it did as usual, was compleley irrelevant.

 

[DragonWagon]

Thank you, sir. Is the fit the same, though?

To give you an answer in english, yes it should be the same. try rockauto or if you dont have to pass any emissions tests cheapest way is just unbolt yours and knock the guts out of it lol. idk what subie you have but most have 2 cats anyways. had a mechanic steal my lower cat and straightpipe it thinking i wouldnt notice. i couldnt get him to fix it but i havent had any codes or anything from not having it

 

[krutec]

Excellent. Thank you both. Never heard of Rock Auto before. Good resource to have.

 

[Dick Foster]

To give you an answer in english, yes it should be the same. try rockauto or if you dont have to pass any emissions tests cheapest way is just unbolt yours and knock the guts out of it lol. idk what subie you have but most have 2 cats anyways. had a mechanic steal my lower cat and straightpipe it thinking i wouldnt notice. i couldnt get him to fix it but i havent had any codes or anything from not having it

That would not be a very good idea unless you enjoy having your check engine light on all the time.
The reason being is that most cars have O2 sensors both before and after the cat. The sole purpose of the after cat O2 sensor is to ensure that the cat is working properly while the before cat sensors job is to help maintain proper fuel trim.

 

[DragonWagon]

That would not be a very good idea unless you enjoy having your check engine light on all the time.
The reason being is that most cars have O2 sensors both before and after the cat. The sole purpose of the after cat O2 sensor is to ensure that the cat is working properly while the before cat sensors job is to help maintain proper fuel trim.

Well, im not going to argue about the purposes of the sensors, but like i said my check engine light isnt on lol. Maybe post-2004 they get fussier though

 

[RonC6]

My mechanic is telling me I need a new catalytic converter (P0420 code), but wants to charge $1,200. He said it needs a CARB compliant catalytic converter. I verified this on the emissions sticker.

I bought the car in Oregon and live in Oregon. Can I install an EPA compliant catalytic converter myself without any issues passing emissions? Or am I going to have fit issues / new codes popping up / etc.

 

[RonC6]

Make sure you have no leaks, especially in front if cats and then add short spacer (adapter M18x1.5) between aft cat and O2 sensor.

 

[Dick Foster]

CARB stands for California Air Resources Board you live in Oregon so have no need for The Peoples Republic of California nonsense. EPA 49 state compliant is plenty good enough.

 

[krutec]

Update - I got a cat from Carparts.com for $180.28 (includes shipping). Installed it with minimal issues. Check Engine light is off. Passed emissions testing. Saved $1,000. All good. Thanks to everyone for their input. I really appreciate it.

 

[Dick Foster]

Update - I got a cat from Carparts.com for $180.28 (includes shipping). Installed it with minimal issues. Check Engine light is off. Passed emissions testing. Saved $1,000. All good. Thanks to everyone for their input. I really appreciate it.

Glad to hear that you got it squared away. Rest assured you got it done far cheaper than it would have been in California.

 

[GuyS1]

Update - I got a cat from Carparts.com for $180.28 (includes shipping). Installed it with minimal issues. Check Engine light is off. Passed emissions testing. Saved $1,000. All good. Thanks to everyone for their input. I really appreciate it.

Where did you buy the cat?

 

[Dick Foster]

Where did you buy the cat?

He said Carparts. How do you spell DME?

 

[GuyS1]

I was, I think unnecessarily worried that I damaged my cat. My check engine light was on and stayed on after I replaced my upstream O2 sensor. I can’t remember if I had seen the infamous PO136 code before the upstream but i thought not a big deal because the downstream sensor has no authority on fuel trims. So I left it for about 500 miles. I replaced it today and of course not difference in the running of the engine but at least my check light is out now!

 

[Dick Foster]

I was, I think unnecessarily worried that I damaged my cat. My check engine light was on and stayed on after I replaced my upstream O2 sensor. I can’t remember if I had seen the infamous PO136 code before the upstream but i thought not a big deal because the downstream sensor has no authority on fuel trims. So I left it for about 500 miles. I replaced it today and of course not difference in the running of the engine but at least my check light is out now!

With most engine management systems, changes take a while to show up unless you force a system reboot. Then it starts the learning process from the beginning point then slowly retunes as you go from there. Engine tuning has a lot of variables to adjust for, altitude, your driving style (attitude), local traffic conditions, the fuel you buy, etc., etc.

 

[GuyS1]

Interesting thanks Dick. I guess your reply answers why the PO136 code didn’t disappear right after I changed the downstream sensor. I had disconnected the battery to “force a reboot” but was surprised that didn’t erase the code right after I hooked up the battery again. It took a few minute to do that.

 

[Dick Foster]

I guess Suburu has some sort of power backup in their ECUs as you are supposed to short the battery cables together for a minute or so in order to affect a reset. In my 96 toy all I had to so was pull the ECU fuse and put it back in.

 

[GuyS1]

Yes a power backup makes sense. Could be they added some sort of capacitor. Mine is a 2001 Forester. It runs and drives like a top!