Once again... a 98 Accord has thrown a P420 code....

I searched the forums and found nothing of a definitive answer on my converter questions.

1998 Accord EX (LEV/California - says so on the catalyst ).
I know for a fact I cannot afford an OEM... its just out of the question.

So moving on to other options.. I'm in a place that requires no emissions testing, but I'd like to have my 27-30 MPG back....and not the noise of a "test pipe."

The car had no "juevos" to speak of... but it is surely lacking power...
With a "high flow" cat in place... I know it won't be as efficient as i'd like, but will my CEL go away and restore some of its lost power??

Punching holes through the current cat to allow flow = ? (I'm aware this is a redneck thing to do, but I want to know the repercussions)

Has anyone found a suitable replacement for these Cats?

ANY input on these questions would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks in Advance,
HM4L

 

is it illegal to "bump" here?!

 

You mentioned high perf cats, online you have already seen the price. They will work, government won't let them sell them unless it meets the requirements. There are quality aftermarket replacements the WILL work. You will have to call around.
Just guessing but punching holes will help the flow but the "downstream" O2 may not like it...I would not do that.

 

OK.. so go ahead and buy the $50 straight through design and let it fly!
Thanks man.. just needed a second opinion.
Ill post an update to let you all know what my results are!

:-)

 

You may want to get a set of o2 simulators if your getting a high flow cat... Otherwise you will more than likely throw a code...

 

Sorry, no I was not talking about straight through (test) pipes from the aftermarket. I was talking about OE quality cats from companies like Walker or AP (Gorelich).

 

Even the oe quality cats, sometimes will cause you to throw a code... But it is much less likely...

 

o2 simulator?

 

small electronic device that ramps up to .9V and falls back to .1V , then keeps repeating. Used in place of the secondary sensor aka monitor.
Most also have a resistor built in to simulate the heater circuit.

http://www.o2sensorsimulator.com/

 

Why not wait & see if the new cat actually works without throwing a CEL?