william123

The catalytic converter on my 95' is toast. I'm being told $1,500 for a "very low milage" used one my indy happened to have in stock. He claims OEM new is $3,300. I've decided against cat bypass or sport cats so OEM is my preferred option. Thoughts?

ilko

I think FD Motorsport just posted their first test of a new catalytic converter they offer. Might want to give them a call.

Fabspeed also have a high flow cat for 993s and they are close by you so shipping would be quick.

Both of those options would cost much less than what you've been quoted for a used OEM set. Oh, and they make the car go faster too!

brucec59

Why have you ruled out sport cats? I have them, and I've passed CA smog check twice now (the cats are stamped with an EPA number, don't know if FD are the same). And I love the sound!

CarreraX

Also curious why you dont want a sport cat? Anyway, I think $1500 for a low mileage used one is crazy. I had to buy one a few 993's ago that had a clogged cat. I found a 30k mile one for $300. I would certainly ask here on RL. Im sure someone has one to sell. Maybe even try here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/for-sale...996-993-a.html

TheBen

You may have to do some legwork yourself and find the parts for your mechanic. I think that may be for the best. That being said, I'm also considering the FD 200 cell sport cats...

Flying Finn

I have a "brand new" OEM CAT laying around.

This was removed from the car right after delivery, maybe couple hundred or so miles on it so it certainly qualifies as "very low mileage". IMO it looks brand new, see photos.
Bishoff Style (Oval Hole) CAT from OBD II car (has holes for more than 1 oxygen sensor). It can be used in OBD I cars also, you just need to plug extra holes (with bolts) for the Oxygen sensor.

When I researched, new from dealer was around $2500 but that was a while ago so around $3K wouldn't surprise me too much.

How does $1000 total (I'll cover the shipping which is not that cheap as it's pretty big and heavy) sound?

william123

Finn - thanks for the offer...very reasonable IMHO. Unfortunately I was pressed to make a decision so I cut a deal with the Indy. Still paid more than your offer. This cat had less than 10k...not a low as yours. I wish I had sought advice here BEFORE they had my car and time in it as I would have gone another route (lesson learned)!

The reason for my decision not to go with a sport cat is purely sound level. Paired with my Stage 2's it is a little too loud for me.

Another expensive lesson - I have a history of paying a lot for my experiences;-)

Martin S.

...that loved super stock cars such as 327, 340, 409, 427 Chevy's and monster Plymouth and Chrysler Hemi and wedge motors....you'd have to love that loping "cam" sound of these beast motors. If you didn't...stop here, go to another thread on cup holders, or floor mats.

Take a stock 993, add Fabspeed X pipes & their 200 cell sport cats and FD Motorsport mufflers, you will have somewhat recaptured the sound. This is what I have on my 993.

Every time I fire up the 993 car I wonder how it is possible to sound this good...compared to stock cats and stock mufflers.

This set up is loud only of you are standing directly behind the car....in the cabin, music to my ears. And, I just passed Cali smog with this et up.....and, my former modified mufflers with stock cats put our 238.9HP on the dyno. With my set up mentioned above, 252.4 HP....that's 13.5 HP anyway you cut it.

What a win/win....best possible sound and more HP!

g_murray

You're already on your road to a 'new' cat... ...so what follows is academic...

Question: what was the CEL code (or codes) that were thrown (if any). Or was it just a rotten egg-smell or just a 'plugged' cat ????

The most 'common' code, BTW, is P0420 (cat. operating below efficiency) - which usually happens just AFTER 10 yrs. or AFTER 80,000 miles -- i.e., yep, just AFTER the emissions-warranty.

TIA,
Gerry

Flying Finn

No worries, good to hear you got what you wanted.

I'll just hold on to this, it doesn't take much space and no doubt 10 years from now I'll sell it for $2500 or something.

os993

when do you know when to replace the CAT? I'm still on my original cat, 1995 model and almost 140k miles. Passed CA smog a few months ago with flying colors and car drives (and sounds) perfect. No funny smell either

Martin S.

Go to sport cats and save the original cat for when you need it. My cat passed Cali smog with 200 cell sport cats a few months ago. The sound resulting from sport cats and FD Motorsports mufflers, intoxicating...aural heaven.

william123

Gerry/os993 - no codes. There was a metallic rattle when I accelerated and/or downshifted. I had the wife press accelerator while I listened underneath and the sound clearly was something inside the cat. Evidently metal bits came lose or deteriorated and were clanking around in the converter. Less than 60K miles on the car.

John@Fabspeed

Thanks for the feedback and update Martin, glad your enjoying everything. If anyone is interested in upgrading there Cats on the car for improved power and sound, make sure to check out our modular Fabspeed X Pipe Sport Cats/ catbypass pipes. Its a direct bolt on replacement that will wake the car up across the RPM range and also bring some nice sports car sound back into your 993. PM me if you have any questions and if your interested, and I will give a nice member discount on it.
Thanks,

993 X Pipe Sport Cats/Catbypass Upgrade: https://www.fabspeed.com/993_30.html
993 X Pipe Sport Cat Vs Stock Cats Dyno Result: https://www.fabspeed.com/dyno62.html

Joe@Fabspeed

This is Joe@ Fabspeeed Motorsports

I also have 5 OEM factory Bischoff 993 catalytic converters with low miles. These are perfect replacements for any 1994 to 1995 993 and any and ALL Porsche 993 CUP 3.8 liter cars and all 993 RS cars. Let me know and as ALEX mentioned we have 993 X pipes Sports Racing catalytic converters with HJS Germany Tri-metallic racing catalytic converters that convert from sports cats to catbypass pipes in under 30 minutes .

I own a 993 cabriolet with a Fabspeed X pipe and NO cats and a set of my Maxflo mufflers and CUP airbox...............TOP down and the car is not too loud. Its a cabriolet and is sporty and my wife and I on the way to dinner in Manayunk or New Hope is all fine and not too loud. If you want to drive it let me know.

Fabspeed Grand Opning this saturady 10/13/2012