I am here in the states.
my font 2 catalytic converters require replacement.


To my knowledge and whether you agree with, or not....
Our previous administration made it so
if you need to buy a catalytic converter -
doesn't matter if it will work correctly or not
The factory requirements mean nothing.
it must be the one with the precious metals
in it and also very much more expensive.

Canada has the assembly, brand new
I do not know if it will clear customs?
the new "America standard" individual
replacements are too big of dimensions

Has anyone had experience recently with this?

 

The rear Cats are for engine regulation / emmissions

The front Cats up high right at the exhaust manifold casting is only used to determain Cat effeincy and give code bank 1 / 420 and bank 2 / 430 or some close #s

You may drive with the codes and still pass emmissions and have satifacory engine regulation ( rich / lean )

Hole in Cats ?

There is some things to clean up fwd Cats O2 sensor signal

Now to go back and get spelling but out there

 

All catalytic converters have precious metal in them, those elements are what "catalyze" the carbon monoxide, unburnt fuel, NOx emissions into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen. I don't know the exact chemistry, but if you've been getting cats without those materials... they weren't real cats.

As far as customs, I'm not sure but it can't hurt to ask the seller and your inspection station. I did a quick google search and it actually seemed like you CAN buy them, which surprises me. I would've thought customs would be very fussy about that. Look for EPA / CARB compliance.

 

I do not have a vehicle inspection that has concerns about emissions.
There are only 4 parishes in the state of Louisiana that have an emission certificate.
and in those parish's, 95 and previous do not need an emission test.

the problem with the cats are that when they heat up, they restrict the exhaust.
The car will not: go over 2K, will not go over 45mph and stumbles and sputters during acceleration.

I wasn't specific on the material used in the converters,
less number of precious metals than the ones in newer cars,
therefore, less expensive.

btw

Two-Way Catalytic Converters

• Allows oxidation of CO (carbon monoxide) to less-harmful CO2 (carbon dioxide)
  Allows oxidation of HC (unburned hydrocarbons) to CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O (water)

In this design, exhaust gases are directed to flow through the substrate, containing precious metals platinum and palladium,
which allow the chemical reaction to occur. The exhaust gases increase in temperature as the conversion process takes place. 
Because of the intense heat created by this process, exhaust gases leaving the converter should be hotter than the gases
entering the converter. This also explains why heat shields are required on most units. 
Two-way converters operate relatively efficiently with a lean fuel mixture.
Ineffectiveness in controlling NOx (nitrogen oxides) led to the introduction of three-way converters.

Three-Way Plus Air Catalytic Converters

• Allows reduction of NOx (nitrogen oxides) to N2 (nitrogen) and O2 (oxygen)
  Allows oxidation of CO (carbon monoxide) to less-harmful CO2 (carbon dioxide)
• Allows oxidation of HC (unburned hydrocarbons) to CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O (water)
  

Inside this converter there are two substrates.
The front, coated with the precious metal rhodium, is used to reduce NOx emissions into simple N2 and O2.
This process is most effective when little O2 is present (rich mixture). That is why it is located upstream of the air tube. 

Since a rich mixture is high in HC and CO, an air pump and tube supply additional
O2 to this mixture before it enters the second substrate. 
The second substrate, coated with the precious metals' palladium and platinum,
allows oxidation of HC and CO to less harmful emissions CO2 and H2O. 
This system was not very efficient, then the current three-way converter was introduced.

Three-Way Catalytic Converters

• Allows reduction of NOx (nitrogen oxides) to N2 (nitrogen) and O2 (oxygen)
  Allows oxidation of CO (carbon monoxide) to less-harmful CO2 (carbon dioxide)
• Allows oxidation of HC (unburned hydrocarbons) to CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O (water)

The three-way converter without air uses advanced catalyst chemistry to store and release O2,
in conjunction with an O2 monitoring and control system. 

This system utilizes one or more O2 sensors to oscillate the fuel mixture between
lean and rich conditions. This oscillation, combined with the O2 storage and release
on the catalyst surface, which allows for optimum reduction of all three emissions. 

Three-way converters are used in conjunction with OBDII diagnostic systems on today's vehicles.
This system alerts the driver when the converter is not working at peak efficiency.