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