I blame Orange County's 3rd world-quality freeways. Two different highly invisible & super deep dips in the horrible San Clemente-area I-5 fwy slammed my 1.5" drop '06 coupe into bottom out Hell in the past two weeks and f*cked up my catalytic converter

I live in North County San Diego where many roads haven't been maintained since the Declaration of Independence, but nothing has kicked my car's a$$ like that shameful 6-lane donkey trail. What the f'n f*ck, San Clemente?! Now my idle sounds like a rattlesnake boiling in a kettle and 298hp feels like 210.

Soooo,

Three questions- Is there any source of made-to-fit, California-legal catalytic converters for less than $500? (Here it's against the law to install a used cat ) Second question: How do I prevent this happening again other than adjusting the ride height? Is there a partial skid plate/ protective measure I can take for less money? Third query: Can JB Weld be safely used to at least temporarily fix outer cat conv. damage?

 

That's why no matter how cool it makes u feel ,you shouldn't lower your car. Did the look I'm cool feeling go away yet?

I'm not understanding why you drop your car if you can't even afford a cat?

 

there really are no cheap options here in cali. if you have to make changes to the emissions system the dealership/ approved repair facility has to do the work. and you prob looking at 1500 for a set of cats.

in my old rsx-s i had to get another cat. i just picked up a used stock one from the forums and put it on. i had my car smogged and had no problems. on visual inspection you cant tell the difference. but technically it is illegal. and the fines are crazy if they find out.

 

Check the forums, people are usually selling them..

 

I dropped my car but I was already kool so how does that work? Most cars look better with a drop so why not drop your car.. Different strokes for different folks.. Op just needs to get mechanic skills or a friend who can swap his cats with a used set for cheaper than getting new and going to a shop.. lol

 

I bought the car that way 4 months ago dude. And it's not just a 1.5" drop, the whole suspension is built and it was done the right way. And yes, I can afford a cat, I'm just expressing dismay that I must because NO other road has given me this trouble. I'm not digging your lame & unwarranted condescending tone, save it for some youngster asking dumb & impertinent questions, guy.

 

Hahaa! You're not joking, it's a $10,000 fine for operation a used cat... My best bet I guess is buying the part from Nissan/ Infiniti in Ontario where at least they take a few hundred off. Bummers. Just hope I can find a proper skid plate to protect my undercarriage, I had one on my old E36 M3 (even though the cat on those is well flushed into the undercarriage and not in much harm's way.

 

That was your first mistake

So find another road! You think taxpayers should pay for your lowered vehicle to fix the road?
Perhaps you should support raising the gas tax to fix the road for you.

Your immaturity is clearly showing.

Grow up

http://www.blogher.com/what-causes-emotional-immaturity

Telcoman

 

 

Ah, g35driver the place of soap opera drama.

To the op, it must really suck living in California with those restrictions. Just grab a used one and hope for the best lol.