Catyltic converter replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Catalytic converter replacement
OK, picked up a new main cat from MidAmerica, direct replacement for the 1989. Fits great into the Y-pipe so the main install is no issue.
The AIR pipe that run from near the passenger exhaust down to the cat is the issue. What is the typical connection method for this? The original had a interesting type of crimp on a flared type end that I managed to bend enough to separate it from the old cat. The new cat has just a tube with no special fitting.
What is the typical way of connecting these?
The AIR pipe that run from near the passenger exhaust down to the cat is the issue. What is the typical connection method for this? The original had a interesting type of crimp on a flared type end that I managed to bend enough to separate it from the old cat. The new cat has just a tube with no special fitting.
What is the typical way of connecting these?
Last edited by Dolfan; May 29, 2009 at 02:17 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
OK, picked up a new main cat from MidAmerica, direct replacement for the 1989. Fits great into the Y-pipe so the main install is no issue.
The AIR pipe that run from near the passenger exhaust down to the cat is the issue. What is the typical connection method for this? The original had a interesting type of crimp on a flared type end that I managed to bend enough to separate it from the old cat. The new cat has just a tube with no special fitting.
What is the typical way of connecting these?
The AIR pipe that run from near the passenger exhaust down to the cat is the issue. What is the typical connection method for this? The original had a interesting type of crimp on a flared type end that I managed to bend enough to separate it from the old cat. The new cat has just a tube with no special fitting.
What is the typical way of connecting these?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
I figured that most folk that upgrade their cat have to go through this and there is some typical fix other than welding? depending on how tight the tubes fit, I wonder if a simple hose clamp might have enough clamping force to hold it firmly. There shouldn't be any real load on it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Interesting, Had not thought of going that route. I do have a small welder, although my skill with said tool need work!
I figured that most folk that upgrade their cat have to go through this and there is some typical fix other than welding? depending on how tight the tubes fit, I wonder if a simple hose clamp might have enough clamping force to hold it firmly. There shouldn't be any real load on it.
I figured that most folk that upgrade their cat have to go through this and there is some typical fix other than welding? depending on how tight the tubes fit, I wonder if a simple hose clamp might have enough clamping force to hold it firmly. There shouldn't be any real load on it.
just set you heat on the lowest setting a do multiple tack welds all around and do one tack weld on each side at a time. after you have a few tacks then weld them together.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
I am a decent welder and have commercial welding equipment. Didn't use it for the air pipe...no need. I used two brass compression fittings. The reason for two was to get a little extra length for the tube to match the new cat and it also helped to align the tube to the cat. I also had to cut the shield and bend it a little.
compression fitting on cat.
- cat to tube compression fitting.
My cat and tube were 1/2". I added the 2nd fitting about 14" above the cat in a straight section. This allowed me to screw the fitting to the cat where the angle was difficult to start the fitting and the one upstream allowed more room to align the tube (straight). If you ever have to pull the cat it makes it easier to remove if the pipe unscrews. Things are even better if you weld flanges to your pipes and cat so they bolt in and out.
There have been other posts on this and many have just used high temp hose with a couple of hose clamps.
compression fitting on cat. - cat to tube compression fitting.My cat and tube were 1/2". I added the 2nd fitting about 14" above the cat in a straight section. This allowed me to screw the fitting to the cat where the angle was difficult to start the fitting and the one upstream allowed more room to align the tube (straight). If you ever have to pull the cat it makes it easier to remove if the pipe unscrews. Things are even better if you weld flanges to your pipes and cat so they bolt in and out.
There have been other posts on this and many have just used high temp hose with a couple of hose clamps.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
I am a decent welder and have commercial welding equipment. Didn't use it for the air pipe...no need. I used two brass compression fittings. The reason for two was to get a little extra length for the tube to match the new cat and it also helped to align the tube to the cat. I also had to cut the shield and bend it a little.
compression fitting on cat.
- cat to tube compression fitting.
My cat and tube were 1/2". I added the 2nd fitting about 14" above the cat in a straight section. This allowed me to screw the fitting to the cat where the angle was difficult to start the fitting and the one upstream allowed more room to align the tube (straight). If you ever have to pull the cat it makes it easier to remove if the pipe unscrews. Things are even better if you weld flanges to your pipes and cat so they bolt in and out.
There have been other posts on this and many have just used high temp hose with a couple of hose clamps.
compression fitting on cat. - cat to tube compression fitting.My cat and tube were 1/2". I added the 2nd fitting about 14" above the cat in a straight section. This allowed me to screw the fitting to the cat where the angle was difficult to start the fitting and the one upstream allowed more room to align the tube (straight). If you ever have to pull the cat it makes it easier to remove if the pipe unscrews. Things are even better if you weld flanges to your pipes and cat so they bolt in and out.
There have been other posts on this and many have just used high temp hose with a couple of hose clamps.
