Thinking of getting a walker catalytic converter (precats) for my TJ. This one is not legal in Ca . What makes it different than the one that is and how would they know when comes to smog time? . Walker 53461
Question about non-CARB Walker catalytic convertor
- Thread starter Pcleaners2
- Start date
Kaptainkid1
TJ Enthusiast
Here is a guy who put a CARB certify Ca approved cat from Walker. Its stamped with CA /NY tags for approval. It will not pass smog without these tags.
on the market. I'd advise to spend a few dollars more and get a better brand. Even Napa brand has been a better choice for exhaust parts.
They do a visual inspection and look for the compliant tags on the mini cats and main cat.
When I bought my vehicle from Wyoming theY didn’t look at the tags . Not saying they wouldn’t in the future. I don’t see them on my old ones . For post 2000 is only a code reader test if they don’t look underneath .
I’m wondering what the difference between 50 and 48 state legal version in terms of performance ? Prolly nothing huh?
When I called into Magnaflow to ask the difference between each type of cat, they stated there should be no difference in performance between catalytic converters for non-CA emissions vehicles and CA emissions vehicles registered outside of California.
The difference is that the ones for vehicles with CA emissions simply have higher rare metal loads (I'm assuming platinum) that make the converter more efficient at reducing the pollutants emitted by the vehicle. The less expensive ones use more heavy metals, which are less efficient at conversion and result in (marginally) higher emissions, but cost a bit less.
They stated there is no performance difference between the two. The pipes, the honeycomb structure, and everything else has the same geometry. I don't see anything else that would change performance or fuel economy.
However, I didn't ask about the California CARB legal kind. Because California has strict sizing standards, it's possible the performance is closer to OEM than to aftermarket. At best/worst, you would probably only see 1-2 hp difference anyways.
From what I've seen online, the Magnaflow cats have about the same performance as a hollow pipe:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/catalytic-converter-face-/
The difference is that the ones for vehicles with CA emissions simply have higher rare metal loads (I'm assuming platinum) that make the converter more efficient at reducing the pollutants emitted by the vehicle. The less expensive ones use more heavy metals, which are less efficient at conversion and result in (marginally) higher emissions, but cost a bit less.
They stated there is no performance difference between the two. The pipes, the honeycomb structure, and everything else has the same geometry. I don't see anything else that would change performance or fuel economy.
However, I didn't ask about the California CARB legal kind. Because California has strict sizing standards, it's possible the performance is closer to OEM than to aftermarket. At best/worst, you would probably only see 1-2 hp difference anyways.
From what I've seen online, the Magnaflow cats have about the same performance as a hollow pipe:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/catalytic-converter-face-/
The guy doing my 2004's last smog check scared the hell out of me, he spent way too much time under the Jeep and in the engine compartment looking for non-California compliant smog components. Fortunately he didn't find anything wrong. So you can never know ahead of time how diligent the guy inspecting it will be.
That is what we've been running into for the last couple of years. Cats we installed previous that passed are now being failed on the visual side.
Time flies when you're old so my timing may be off, but I think that effective 1/1/19 it became mandatory for California smog techs to visually inspect the cats for CARB compliance. I'm told that previously it was a judgment call so if you weren't too obvious about flaunting the rules and you weren't a dick you could slide by on the visual test.
That being said, I smog all of my vehicles at the same place, one of the last family owned 76 service stations still in existence with all the smog testing done by the owner. I don't know if he looks at my cats or not, but I haven't had any issues with any of my vehicles yet. I think there is a lot to be said for repeat business with someone you know who knows you.
That being said, I smog all of my vehicles at the same place, one of the last family owned 76 service stations still in existence with all the smog testing done by the owner. I don't know if he looks at my cats or not, but I haven't had any issues with any of my vehicles yet. I think there is a lot to be said for repeat business with someone you know who knows you.
I can make you some nice stainless tabs that you can spot weld onto your cat...
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