So i am here in california and about to redo my exhaust system on my 1997 civic DX 2dr (d16y7).

Since I am getting custom piping, I am assuming I can use any universal fit cata conv...? For example, if my set up is as follows:

Header: Megan Racing Header 4-2-1
Exhaust: Apex'i N1

And then I get one of these catalytic converters:

MagnaFlow Catalytic Converter - Universal-Fit ACURA CL 1997 - 1999 2.3; 2.2 99234HM

The guy making the piping should be able to just throw it on there no problem I am assuming, and I should be able to still pass smog? He is a cool local guy, not gonna make a huge deal about legality (there are some weird rules about these converters in CA, seems like a money making scheme to me).

I do notice that it does not appear to have o2 sensor spots, but i think i could make a hole with a grommet and get the sensor in right after, or maybe i need one with a spot for a sensor. (I was looking at T2 converters but i see that I cannot use that now.)

So I am just wondering if there is some weird reason this would not work with my car or would cause me to not pass smog?

Or can anyone recommend a good, cheaper way to do this? Taking a catalytic converter off another car or something? For now I am probably gonna go with the set up listed above (not 100% on the muffler), i know I can get money from local junkyards for the core of my catalytic converter, so that should help...

 

okay scratch everything. i just need to get Magnaflow 53035 to california somehow, going through every ebay seller first. I will just have someone weld flanges on and ill install it myself. Its not legal in california, but once i take out the mani/cata combo in my car nothing will be legal so might as well go all out. Once i mini-me swap eventually, my new header will magically be legalized and then ill probably look into a CARB catalytic converter.

Went with M2 Manifold (megan) and the apex'i ws2 exhaust.

If anyone wants to ship me one of these catalytic converters I would be endless grateful. In the mean time im gonna harass ebay sellers i guess -_-

 

You'll like the WS2 much more than the N1. Good choice.

 

stoked, cant wait for monday. It sounds really nice in the videos I checked out. Also got the cata shipped to me, so I no longer need this thread! EBAY!