Hey guys, Let me start by saying my knowledge of exhaust systems on cars is pretty much null. :doh:So anyways, I will be purchasing a car in the near future - and the one I have in mind (2002 325i) has its catalytic converters removed. My question is :would it be possible to install the CC on an aftermarket exhaust? (Welcome to bavauto.com | Remus Muffler - Twin 84mm round tips). Normally I would avoid buying a car with a CC delete, but the price/mileage fits what I'm looking for. From what I've found it'd cost ~$200 to get a CC replacement + labor, but I'm not sure about the placement of a CC on a car, or how it would be installed on said exhaust. Concerned about the hefty fees of not having a CC and failing emission testing when registering the car. Other than the exhaust, and headers - there are no other performance based modifications to the car. :sorry: for the pretty basic question. Hopefully someone can help me out :thumb:
Yes you can install cats in your aftermarket exhaust. The aftermarket cats only last about couple years though. What would be done is that the exhaust shop would cut a section out of the exhaust and then weld in the new cat. To me it would be cheaper if you could find a used factory exhaust to install so you can have your Emission test done. I am sure your state is no different than others were there is a visual test for the emission and if you have a state inspection they visually check for converter/s also. Here in VA some look and some don't depending on how loud the car is. Here you have x amount of days to make the repairs needed or if the cats are removed they can and are suppose to call the state police because it is a federal offense for removing the cat. I have only seen one case of this were a state trooper pulled over a friend years ago during the 5.0 craze and impounded the car and made him go to court. He put his cats back on and all was good after that. It is just a matter of who you deal with, some are very by the book and some inspectors let some things slide so to speak.
like Asphalt said yes you can install aftermarket CC in your current exhaust system. My only advice to you is buy a high quality converter. There are cheap ones that do not last a long time and you will have issues in the near future. One other thing you need to consider is that european cars have 100 times better catalyst than American CC so when you buy an aftermarked CC make sure it is for your car and no just any car. The price for a good cat made for BMW are going to cost you about 200. bucks at least thats what it would cost over here. Good luck.
