I know someone that used Magnaflow direct fit units and was happy with them. About $850 per converter is the only problem.

You could try used, but this is a crap shoot, see if you can find someone that has put headers on for a reason other than problem converters that might sell you their old units for a reasonable price.

BTW, what is the problem you are running into, P0420/P0430?

Good luck on this, not a cheap or easy solution.

 

Euro tune. Race headers.

/thread

 

not everyone wants their car smelling like a '60s chevelle.
i too was going to recommend the magna flow manifolds. didn't realize they were so much though.

 

This is exactly what I needed...I have a bank 1 error and a misfire on cylinder 5. We replaced the O2 sensors and took a look at the catalytic conv. My dad and brother are both mechanics and i took to 3 others and they took a look at it and all agreed, they have to be replaced. :crying: I've got 201K miles on it...I drove it with bad fuel issues wayyyyyyyy too long while we guessed and replaced part after part. I've invested thousands under the hood. :crying:

So Magnaflow is good to go with??

 

Before you drop the cash and effort on replacement catalytic converters, I can easily review post-Cat O2 sensor graphs to see how healthy the converters are. For $30 or less you can get a smart phone/tablet App and OBDII interface to gather this data.

You might look this thread over for some ideas - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1050205&highlight=

Additionally an exhaust back pressure test should be considered if it has not been performed.

Not sure what Bank #1 error you are referring to and a single cylinder misfire is not likely a side effect of a restricted/clogged catalytic converter.

 

Used would be the way to go on a car that has 200k+ on it IMO. People upgrade to header all the time, so you should be able to get 'em cheap.

Good Luck!

 

Definitely check the exhaust back pressure, both before and after the converters, to confirm they are bad before replacing them.

Having said that, I went the used route on mine. I ended up buying a set from a guy that was parting out his car in the classified section of this forum. I gave less than $300 shipped for them and installed them myself. Wasn't that bad of a job on my 325i, just time consuming. I still have the ones I took off. I intend to sell those for scrap and recover some the money I was out the other ones to drop the cost even more. But I got lucky and got a good set..so far anyway. If you are going to go the used route, look on realoem and find all of the different models that will fit your car. Then locate a set with lower mileage. I'd also avoid any from the northern states where they salt the roads, if I could, because the bolts/collar that bolt them to the exhaust will be rusted and may need replacing. Seller provided pictures will let you see what kind of shape they are in externally.

You could also buy a set from somewhere like Bavarian Auto Recyclers or Atlanta European Auto Parts. They may come with a warranty.

If you want new aftermarkets, check out rockauto.com. There are several companies that make them. Be warned though that you may have fitment issues. I've also read that the aftermarket ones usually don't last as long as OE.

The bimmerbrake headers are also a cheaper option.

Personally I just couldn't see sinking 2 grand in a set of converters for a car with a 220,000+ miles on it. So I went used knowing full well that I was taking a chance. And they may go bad tomorrow. If they do, it will get headers next time.

 

OP, try car-part.com. I have had very good luck with them.

 

http://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-e46/16694-new?product=SCM5254

Headers with cats for the price of one manifold. Perfect fitment.

 

You guys have been fantastic! This is what I needed! DaHammer...thanks for the reference on Atlanta European Auto Parts! Got my work cut out for me!

 

^So you're going used OEM? I think that's what I'm going to do as well. I'm trying to find a reputable junkyard with reasonably priced, low mileage cats. Not so easy!

 

I am telling you, try car-part.com. Used OEM parts

 

^Can I ask what junkyard you used?

 

I have used foreign auto salvage and auto parts of Shelby. But usually everyone is certified by the the recycled parts network and can ship to you.

 

This is good to keep on hand...I get a lot of my parts from Strictly German in Braselton, GA but they won't sell used cats.

 

See section #5 of this document - http://www.epa.gov/oms/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf

I can see why some scrap yards are nervous about selling used converters.

But like everything, the government does NOT always make wise decisions and fully understand what rules and regulations they implement and the downside or impact if may have on others.

 

^Good point!! Today I started her and she's barely moving. No power going to the engine...just dragging. I checked out all the sources you guys gave and seems everyone is looking for what I am. 2 of my mechanics are coming over and we are looking at removing the cats while we wait on parts to come. And narrow down what part. Never driven w/out the cats so should be interesting!

 

UM, you are not going to be driving "without cats" because they are integrated into the exhaust headers/manifold. So you will be driving your car without exhaust manifolds attached to the cylinder head!

If the car is barley moving, I am thinking something else is wrong because clogged converters do not cause a rapid decline in power, often failing or inefficient converters may trigger P0420/P0430 codes but will not impact the vehicle performance.

 

You are going to drive without exhaust manifolds?

 

Anyone ever use the Pacesetter replacement cats? They only cost about $230 each and have a 5 year warranty.

 

I can't believe this was over looked.

You need both F&R (757010 & 757011) at a total cost of roughly $530 shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/Pacesetter-75...tter-757011-Replacement-Manifold-Converter/dp/B006DX3GP4/ref=pd_bxgy_263_text_y



Rob43

 

And for you all considering used exhaust manifolds, not worth the hassle of having to replace it a second time when the used one goes bad. Also in some places I believe it's illegal to sell used cats, but I could be wrong on that.

 

Reman'ed OE Cats = $900 each x 2 = $1800.00

After selling my clogged OE cats to a scrap dealer, I have a $125 and a few hours of my time in a set of used OE cats. For a that kind of savings, I'll switch them out several more times. But each to their own.

 

I'll post this again, not breaking the wallet compared to the oem replacement and a performance upgrade. Schmeidmann is a good route
http://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-e46/16694-new?product=SCM5254

 

That would be a GREAT way to go if our car wasn't an x :facepalm:

 

Bought and installed used oem cats for $125. Car runs like new.

 

I wonder how peoples cats are going bad. My last smog at 150k passed with flying colors. super clean.

 

Probably from lots of short trips and thermostats that haven't been replaced causing the motor to run cold+rich.

 

I ran across a post somewhere (maybe here) regarding the Pacesetters and best I recall the comments were positive. I think he had to reorder due to ordering 2 of the same one or something, but they fit fine I believe. I thought about going that route when I did mine. I also considered some other well known brands (there are several companies that make them, look on rockauto.com). But at the end of the day, I decided to only spend a couple hundred bucks and take a chance, considering the car has over 220k on it. If the car outlasts the ones on it now, I'll either put on another set of used ones or remove them entirely via headers or something.

I think mine were clogged due to driving the car for an extended period or time with high (as in positive) fuel trims. The car never did short trips. It was a daily driver. My wife drove it back and forth to work every day, which is 20 highway miles away. And the cooling system has always been maintained, never ran hot or cold to my knowledge.