How long do Cats last?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
How long do Cats last?
I dont mean the meowing pooping kind..
I am looking at replacing both of mine on a '96. Have no idea what's been done on exhaust side or when. Is 11 years/ 90 000 considered probably need replacing? (I dont have manual with me,,)
I am looking at replacing both of mine on a '96. Have no idea what's been done on exhaust side or when. Is 11 years/ 90 000 considered probably need replacing? (I dont have manual with me,,)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Ok ok, I'll be serious. Honestly? The Coating is going to be gone after Time do to corrosion rather than Use. The heat is going to expose certain weaknesses in the corrosion resistance. Once this happens rust is going to take its toll and then possibly the mesh will collapse.
Any excuse to replace them with an aftermarket is all I need.
Free Flowing exhaust will improve your output and you will notice it.
Any excuse to replace them with an aftermarket is all I need.
Free Flowing exhaust will improve your output and you will notice it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
.
At 108,000 miles, I heard a loud rattling sound underneath the car. I thought a shroud or something came loose underneath the car. Then I was on the highway one day and heard a loud clunk noise. Haven't heard the rattling since. However.....my car failed inspection
I was told that my right Cat was bad. However, in Pennsylvania, you get a one time pass for failed emissions. Next year I have to pass or I dont get a sticker.
Since I am camming my engine
(you know what I mean) and other goodies, gonna save up for those magnaflow cats. I already have the mufflers off of ebay for $300 bucks.
At 108,000 miles, I heard a loud rattling sound underneath the car. I thought a shroud or something came loose underneath the car. Then I was on the highway one day and heard a loud clunk noise. Haven't heard the rattling since. However.....my car failed inspection
I was told that my right Cat was bad. However, in Pennsylvania, you get a one time pass for failed emissions. Next year I have to pass or I dont get a sticker.Since I am camming my engine
(you know what I mean) and other goodies, gonna save up for those magnaflow cats. I already have the mufflers off of ebay for $300 bucks.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Go Dawgs!
Who Needs cats? Just Gut or cut out the Kitties and connect O2 Sims!- you have a 96, it will work, i know. then you will always pass the OBD test. all for about $70
to answer your question:
It Depends, it could be 50,000 it could be 200,000. it depends on heat, moisture, if you your car has run rich for a while, milage, and age...
Its Typically a case by case basis...
ex:
my v6 01 bird went bad at 52,000... but our 90 gmc 2500 van went 205,000 and when we sold it it had never been replaced and passed as clean as a new car would.
to answer your question:
It Depends, it could be 50,000 it could be 200,000. it depends on heat, moisture, if you your car has run rich for a while, milage, and age...
Its Typically a case by case basis...
ex:
my v6 01 bird went bad at 52,000... but our 90 gmc 2500 van went 205,000 and when we sold it it had never been replaced and passed as clean as a new car would.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
thanks all
This is the first car I've owned that's had cats believe it or not.. (except our Ford Escape which I can now call 'the wife's car'
)
I've seen OEM cats for 55 bucks and hi-flows 160 each. Someone else told me over 200 - that's quite a difference!
This is the first car I've owned that's had cats believe it or not.. (except our Ford Escape which I can now call 'the wife's car'
)I've seen OEM cats for 55 bucks and hi-flows 160 each. Someone else told me over 200 - that's quite a difference!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
On a car that's always been well maintained and not subject to environmental salt they should last a couple hundred thousand miles.
Your 96 if originally sold in CA had a 10 yr / 100k warranty on emissions components. Which means the manufacturers would design them with an average life >> 100k.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The factory cats on the LT1/LT4 cars flow very well and unless you have a cat that has gone bad, they really don't need replacing unless the material inside gets broken up and loose, or you have a problem with fuel mixture that will send too much fuel thru the motor. The cats are tucked up far enough that physical damage to them from the outside is not normally an issue.
Federal law prohibits the removal and replacement of a working cat if the car has less than 50K miles on it. Getting a shop to simply remove a cat can be difficult as there is a federal $10K fine and possible jail time if they get caught.
Federal law prohibits the removal and replacement of a working cat if the car has less than 50K miles on it. Getting a shop to simply remove a cat can be difficult as there is a federal $10K fine and possible jail time if they get caught.
