Source of smog woes found
 

To make a long story short, the mechanic pulled off my catalytic converter since everyone agreed that was the problem. Do you know what he found inside? NOTHING! Yes, the thing was one big empty can. New cat being put on tomorrow.

So how could this have happened? - Oh yeah, when I bought the car it had just been smogged with a nice new (B&B if I recall?) stainless exhaust system. Agreed with PO that I didn't need that for $2k, so he put, what I though was, the original working system on. I feel I got screwed, but "buyer be ware". There's a good chace the PO may not have known about the issue - especially since the rest of the car has been as advertised.

Should have smog this week. I should have a buyer lined up pending PPI, but it ain't done 'till it's done.

The seller is responsible to smog the car....if he gave you a smoked cat....he's on the hook for the bill.

Yeah, but how do I prove that, after 2+ years and some fairly extensive engine work, it wasn't me who changed the cat. I could see if I just got the car.

Ah....didn't know that....never mind.....

Most of the time the guts are missing because the owner reamed it out in an attempt to gain a couple of horses. The guts can degrade on their own, crumble and blow out the rear if the cat sees a very rich mixture for a period of time(perhabs caused by a bad sparkplug).Under these circumstances the cat will glow red hot and the insides actually melt down.

After 2 years, you have absolutely no chance of any recourse. I would not jump at the chance to blame the PO either.

Sounds like the broomstick upgrade was performed on yours....

Hahahaha, broomstick upgrade, I love it. BTW, my SC has this upgrade AND I passed smog...barely...