Forumisters,

A while back I removed the catalytic converters. I now hate the exhaust fumes smell and rough sound it makes, and have decided to reinstall new ones.

I was quoted $4444 by the dealership to replace the 2 catalytic converters and their oxygen sensors.

Is this what you'd pay in your country?

Last year the total repairs to my car (water pipe, front suspension and bushes, tires, water pipe, fuel pressure valve) cost me $11000! This figure excludes normal maintenance and running costs.

If this not proof enough of my love for the old lady, then I don't know what is!

 

I had one of my cats replaced a few months ago, it actually quite easy and I didn't have to replace my O2 sensors either it cost me under $350. you most likely don't have to replace both. or maybe just need new U bolts or tighten the old ones. also it can be an exhaust leak elsewhere like a pin hole in the pipe it self if you haven't looked at these possibilities yet this I'd where I'd start.

 

Hi Josh

Only $350! Unbelievably very cheap! Where did you source your unit, was it new, and how many did you replace for that amount? Even if the amount you paid was for a single unit, it's still a whopping $4grand cheaper than I was quoted!

I'd like to import the unit from your country, and it will still be cheaper to pay transportation costs, taxes etc.

Thanks a ton for your reply.

 

I have a guy that owns an exhaust shop he sourced it for me. before I was going to get it off eBay he knew of the brand. he said its an off brand cat but a good u.s. made one and better than a Japanese unit. here's the link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/APDTY-JAG195...be3ba4&vxp=mtr

 

Good price indeed. Sadly, the seller does not ship to South Africa! Maybe I'll be lucky one day and get a US forumister friend wanting to visit South Africa on Safari, and willing to bring the cats in their luggage on the way here, in exchange for me taking care of some of their local safari needs :-). Extreme wishful thinking I suppose. Thanks Josh for the link.

 

Seth you are paying waaaaaay too much mate! There is always a cheaper way.
You can use a freight forwarder, I have one in the UK, you can find one in the

US or ask one of the members here to forward a part to you.

Paul (seamless) on this forum breaks Jag's, I have just bought a part from him. 99% of the time used parts are good! He is in Rancho Cordova CA.

Just had to tell you that I like the name!

I use Forward2me in the Uk. They are not cheap for small parts but ok for bigger bits and you can get an estimated price first.

With the internet the planet is now a village!

 

Just weld in universal cats. I refuse to believe such things do not exist in SA.

 

Contact nameless performance on here and see what they offer. They do hiperf cats for xk's

 

I agree with Brutal.... when you have to replace a part replace it with an upgraded part. I'm getting a pair of high-flow cats for my XJR (purely as an upgrade) and they will be about $1000 delivered from Nameless. They are apparently a simply bolt-in fitment.

 

I'll start the search for such. I wonder what the performance of the car and its fuel consumption will be after fitting a universal one.

Funny enough, I found manufacturers in South Africa who priduce these cats for exports and told me they don't supply to retailers or consumers but to vehicle manufacturers in Europe, Asia and Americas. Sadly, we in South Africa produce platinum, and it's converted into cats produced for the world, but us locals :-(. Wow - now I understand how the world's economic system works!

I'll keep you posted as soon as I find and install the universal kit.

 

Thanks for the name of the supplier. I'll follow upon their product and will revert.

 

Let me now how your upgrade goes so I can see if the XKR high performance unit is a straight fit to X350 without any modifications. I'd also like to know if this upgrade improves or maintains the current performance of the car.

Please keep me posted of the developments of your upgrade.