Replacing California catalytic converter

[Bimmerguy2002]

If anyone is going to replace their cat with an aftermarket one, this has the list of the only applicable ones.

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/ ... hTool.aspx

NEW CURRENT LINK BELOW

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/AftermarketParts/catalysts
https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/AftermarketParts ... utiveOrder

You will fail if you get a shop that checks the number and they are not compatible, its an instant KOS fail (such as trying to use a magnaflow one).

For the 535i, you will need to provide documentation that it is a 3.4 liter engine to prevent being sent to the referee, in addition to pointing out the emissions sticker and the sticker on the bodywork near the door latch as you are able to select 3.5 on the drop down which WILL cause you to fail (because they dont know any better). The 3.5 cat will cause you to fail additionally from the "correct" 3.5 numbers because it is only a 2 way catalyst.

This isnt an issue if you have a friend who doesnt care about the number as long as the numbers are good.

[Burnze]

Thanks for the link! This is great information.

[Kenny Blankenship]

These rules became effective recently (within the last 10 years). So let's say back in 2005 I put an OEM M3 catalytic converter on my E23. Are you telling me I'll have to replace a perfectly good catalytic converter when I go to smog the car?

[Bimmerguy2002]

These rules became effective recently (within the last 10 years). So let's say back in 2005 I put an OEM M3 catalytic converter on my E23. Are you telling me I'll have to replace a perfectly good catalytic converter when I go to smog the car?

Yes, they will absolutely fail you if the tech does his job right. I spent 1000 dollars on smog tech mistakes earlier this year unfortunately, which is why im posting this so others dont have to go through the same debacle.
As it stands, your cat is illegal (not that any of us actually care, and even if it blows close to 0s).

[elcrazon]

CA smog sucks. Just find a station that gives less of a shit or specializes in non german cars. The place I go is just one guy who doesn't speak english very well and knows more about Asian makes. My car has a cat that I don't think is even for an e28/e24 since it has an exhaust hanger integral to the housing. My smog guy has never said anything about it. I also have a Blaster2 coil without the compliance sticker attached and a b35 wiring harness and b35 intake, also not mentioned. Just got it smogged last month.

[Karl Grau]

The subject came up last year in this thread but I won't know how the M5 fares until next weekend due to waiting on parts from fucking AutohauzAZ. The e30 was in for smog about a month ago and the guy never checked the cat for numbers or anything and it passed fine. The aftermarket M5 cat is on the CARB list so I'm not stressing too much (well, no more than usual ).
I take a copy of the BMW parts diagram and pictures because the Euro headers made me fail the visual one year.

[wkohler]

114º is pretty awesome.

[bkbimmer]

I love how my e28 passes smog without a cat.

[1st 5er]

I love how my e28 passes smog without a cat.

[lilpoindexter]

Wow. Cool list. Thanks for posting. I replaced the cat on my 1995 Miata several years ago...In the Oct 2015 the smog guy crawled under the car, read the numbers on the case, and compared them to this database. Previously the tech would just look to see if a cat was in place, and that was good enough.

[MIK911]

If anyone is going to replace their cat with an aftermarket one, this has the list of the only applicable ones.

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/ ... hTool.aspx

You will fail if you get a shop that checks the number and they are not compatible, its an instant KOS fail (such as trying to use a magnaflow one).

For the 535i, you will need to provide documentation that it is a 3.4 liter engine to prevent being sent to the referee, in addition to pointing out the emissions sticker and the sticker on the bodywork near the door latch as you are able to select 3.5 on the drop down which WILL cause you to fail (because they dont know any better). The 3.5 cat will cause you to fail additionally from the "correct" 3.5 numbers because it is only a 2 way catalyst.

This isnt an issue if you have a friend who doesnt care about the number as long as the numbers are good.

I have a 1985 535i, and live in Los Angeles. You're saying that it's officially a 3.4 liter engine, and I must convince the smog technician to test my car as a 3.4 liter car (not a 3.5 liter car)?? And how exactly am I going to prove to him that it's a 3.4 liter car?
I checked my driver side door jam, and it there is no mention of 3.4 liter engine (just tire pressure and VIN stickers).
Where do I find my "emissions sticker" ?

Also, I checked your hyperlink, and so I will need a 3.4 liter catalytic? (made by Airtek, Inc?)

Confused, as I've heard of others on this board passing Calif smog with Magnaflow or DEC cats.

Help--my cat just crapped out, and I'm needing one soon.

[Bimmerguy2002]

If anyone is going to replace their cat with an aftermarket one, this has the list of the only applicable ones.

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/ ... hTool.aspx

You will fail if you get a shop that checks the number and they are not compatible, its an instant KOS fail (such as trying to use a magnaflow one).

For the 535i, you will need to provide documentation that it is a 3.4 liter engine to prevent being sent to the referee, in addition to pointing out the emissions sticker and the sticker on the bodywork near the door latch as you are able to select 3.5 on the drop down which WILL cause you to fail (because they dont know any better). The 3.5 cat will cause you to fail additionally from the "correct" 3.5 numbers because it is only a 2 way catalyst.

This isnt an issue if you have a friend who doesnt care about the number as long as the numbers are good.

I have a 1985 535i, and live in Los Angeles. You're saying that it's officially a 3.4 liter engine, and I must convince the smog technician to test my car as a 3.4 liter car (not a 3.5 liter car)?? And how exactly am I going to prove to him that it's a 3.4 liter car?
I checked my driver side door jam, and it there is no mention of 3.4 liter engine (just tire pressure and VIN stickers).
Where do I find my "emissions sticker" ?

Also, I checked your hyperlink, and so I will need a 3.4 liter catalytic? (made by Airtek, Inc?)

Confused, as I've heard of others on this board passing Calif smog with Magnaflow or DEC cats.

Help--my cat just crapped out, and I'm needing one soon.

If the tech is extremely worried and makes a mistake,absolutely yes. You would have to see the referee if they use the drop down list and call it a 3.5 (535, 5.35) and see the 3.2/3.5 on the manifold. THe first smog guy i saw (regular smog shop) was convinced i worked for the state LMFAO, fucking moron. Its not a problem if the tech selects the correct 3.4, choosing 3.5 will cause you to fail if he checks the number on the cat and it is the correct 3.4 cat because it would be 3.5 which would never pass.
The sticker is near the battery on the USA cars.

Correct you will need the 3.4 cat.

Yes you can pass with the others, if the smog tech doesnt give a crap, but its illegal to have them on there and they wont pass if a referee saw it. It has everything to do with semantics and politics. Do not trust getting a magnaflow and hoping any tech wont glance over the numbers, i had to go to 3 shops and spent over 1000 on their mistakes because of "not our problem" politics.

[vinceg101]

While it may be strict policy and how the law is written, I can count on 0 fingers the number of times a tech checked anything but what was visible in the engine bay. Practically none of the independent Smog shops have lifts and I have NEVER seen a tech wheel out a jack and get down on the ground to look under the car. All they seem to be concerned about is making sure the car blows clean out the tail pipe and your fuel cap gives a good seal.
It may be true that in a referee station it's a whole different situation, but out in the field it's been my experience that none of the Test Only stations (and one Star station I went to recently) check to see if your CAT is correct by visual means. This has been the case for all three of my cars: the '85 M535, the '02 530i and my wife's '99 Honda CR-V.

I know it's the law and the way the government works, but I can't stand how one or two manufacturer's seem to be able to buy their way onto an exclusive list and program and lock out the rest of the competition. The truth is that there are many other manufacturers that make perfectly functioning CAT's that do everything the state is mandating, but because they are not on the "list" we can't legally use them. There is similar program here in the City of LA regarding building products: if you spec a product for your project (say roofing shingles or a skylight) it has to be on the City's vendor list and carry a report number that is verified during Plan Check. Those reports cost the manufacturer BIG money to get them and keep them current; those that don't want to play footsie with the City are shut out. It's pay to play and frankly it's BS. The whole Smog program is rigged and will never be reformed simply because it makes the state a lot of money for very little investment on their part.

All that aside, I would say that one wants to use a CAT other that what is on "the list", caveat emptur. You can minimize the risks by picking your Smog test stations wisely: keep them small, independent and in mixed neighborhoods (providing the rumor that the state imposed minimum failure thresholds for stations under the Star program is true; in theory you stand a better chance at a station that sees a lot of older cars).

[Mike W.]

I know it's the law and the way the government works, but I can't stand how one or two manufacturer's seem to be able to buy their way onto an exclusive list and program and lock out the rest of the competition. The truth is that there are many other manufacturers that make perfectly functioning CAT's that do everything the state is mandating, but because they are not on the "list" we can't legally use them.

I can't really disagree with the rest of your post, but the above I will. The reason the $60 cats are illegal is because statically they have such a short life. Yep, throw one on and it'll blow clean. But 2 years later the next time you go in for the drill it's likely dead. Now I don't think the OBDII cats that are now mandated for way pre OBDII are anywhere near OE grade, but I believe they are better than the cheapies.

Now please don't interpret this as me being a fan of the BAR, expecting, no mandating cars get cleaner as they age and setting standards so X% fail is BS, but on this one I think they may have a point.

[vinceg101]

I can't really disagree with the rest of your post, but the above I will. The reason the $60 cats are illegal is because statically they have such a short life. Yep, throw one on and it'll blow clean. But 2 years later the next time you go in for the drill it's likely dead. Now I don't think the OBDII cats that are now mandated for way pre OBDII are anywhere near OE grade, but I believe they are better than the cheapies.

Now please don't interpret this as me being a fan of the BAR, expecting, no mandating cars get cleaner as they age and setting standards so X% fail is BS, but on this one I think they may have a point.

I won't argue with that. However there are several good quality manufacturers not on that list (DEC for instance which is far from being a $60 unit and will last quite a long time).
But I see your point.

[MIK911]

If anyone is going to replace their cat with an aftermarket one, this has the list of the only applicable ones.

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/ ... hTool.aspx

You will fail if you get a shop that checks the number and they are not compatible, its an instant KOS fail (such as trying to use a magnaflow one).

For the 535i, you will need to provide documentation that it is a 3.4 liter engine to prevent being sent to the referee, in addition to pointing out the emissions sticker and the sticker on the bodywork near the door latch as you are able to select 3.5 on the drop down which WILL cause you to fail (because they dont know any better). The 3.5 cat will cause you to fail additionally from the "correct" 3.5 numbers because it is only a 2 way catalyst.

This isnt an issue if you have a friend who doesnt care about the number as long as the numbers are good.

Thanks for this info and link.
I tracked down the appropriate catalytic (had to call Catco, who gave me a local distributor, who then referred me to a local muffler shop). Had it mounted parts/labor=$350.
btw, the only one available currently is this one:
Airtek, Inc. 58068 PRE-OBDII
The others listed on the above site (hyperlink) are obsolete.

[blackmamba]

Thanks for the info. I just took my 535is to the smog shop & the guy checked the numbers on the bottom causing it to fail. It actually passed the smog test but the numbers failed it & the guy didn’t want to risk the fine.

[jc72]

Thanks for the info. I just took my 535is to the smog shop & the guy checked the numbers on the bottom causing it to fail. It actually passed the smog test but the numbers failed it & the guy didn’t want to risk the fine.

There are several catalytic converters that where previously legal in California for e28 application that are not any longer. If you go to a referee and can show them you bought/installed the cat prior to their status changing they will sign off on it and give you a notice to show to future smog techs.

[amagansa]

Huh. I honestly don't know what brand cat I got from a good muffler shop. Guess the smog guys around here just don't care. Nice...

[Bimmerguy2002]

Huh. I honestly don't know what brand cat I got from a good muffler shop. Guess the smog guys around here just don't care. Nice...

Depends on where you go, the last two places i went to were doubly sure to look. Before that, for about 10 years, they never cared, i had a crappy magnaflow on it that didnt even match and they didnt bat an eye. Both places were here in San Joaquin county, when i was in Solano county they didnt care and didnt even bring it up. Im guessing they just hit the accept button that its legit out of disinterest of the interest of getting paid

[blackmamba]

Unfortunately I do not have the receipt as I just bought the car a few weeks ago & as far as I know the po didn’t put it on there either.

[blackmamba]

The guy at the smog shop did show me the info on his computer with the cats that are compatible for the 535i.
They were all made by Airtek & the part numbers were 65068, 65454, 83312, 58068, 58454. I find it rather suspicious that only one manufacturer makes catalytic converters that are good enough for California.

[Kenny Blankenship]

Ha! I wont have to worry about THIS anymore...

[Bimmerguy2002]

I find it rather suspicious that only one manufacturer makes catalytic converters that are good enough for California.

You wouldnt be trying to assume this state is operating any sort of legalized racket would you? They are looking out for the best interests of us honest folk!

[vinceg101]

I find it rather suspicious that only one manufacturer makes catalytic converters that are good enough for California.

You wouldnt be trying to assume this state is operating any sort of legalized racket would you? They are looking out for the best interests of us honest folk!

Hence my comments from 2.5 years ago.