Yet even more emissions problems

SidVicious · 04-14-2003, 11:02 AM

Ok, now I'm really getting pi**ed.

I have replaced:
distributor cap & rotor
spark plugs & wires
fuel filter
fuel line
O2 sensor
changed oil, Mobil 1 of course
new vacuum hoses

I'm still not coming remotely close to passing NOx. It does pass everything else. I have no choice, I have to replace the cat. Therein lies the problem. No one has a replacement cat for this car. Oh they have them advertised, but when you call they want you to send in your old cat to be rebuilt. I've been to several muffler shops in town and nobody wants to offer any help. They honestly seem intimidated by the car.

You guys have any suggestions? Anybody you think might really have the inventory they advertise? I didn't see a replacement listed by Pelican. There's got to be a way to avoid $1200 dealer pricing. I'm so hacked off I can't see straight.

On the bright side, while up on the lift I noticed a CV joint boot just split. It was ok when I replaced the fuel filter, so I know it just happened. At least I caught it before the joint was damaged.

carsontc · 04-14-2003, 11:24 AM

hmmm....don't know these people but it's a place to start...maybe just to compare prices.

http://www.discountconverter.com/universals/index.htm

Cutting and welding a universal replacement has been recommended before.

I'm sure others will give you more suggestions.

SidVicious · 04-14-2003, 11:50 AM

Thanks Tom,

Discount converters is where this all started.

I don't have any way to weld one myself, and none of the regular shops I've been to want to touch it.

carsontc · 04-14-2003, 12:07 PM

When I lived in Dallas one of the muffler shop chains welded one in for me on a slow afternoon...I guess I got lucky (tipped him a little).

highboost951 · 04-14-2003, 12:28 PM

Sid, first of all, you have private mail; second, what kind of mods does your car have? Is it stock? I have a friend going through the same problems, it has some mild upgrades but I think he's going to pass this time.

SidVicious · 04-14-2003, 12:51 PM

Hey guys,

Thanks for the input. Boost, I haven't gotten the PM, but as far as mods go I'm stock, except for a K&N filter that replaced the stock one, in the stock airbox. The stock chips were put back in for the test.

I guess I'm going to have to send my old cat out for a rebuild. Maybe I wouldn't have gotten so cross if people were upfront about it. My expectations were set up for something else. I'm just venting because I'm sick and tired of these tests. As for the money it's cost so far, the car was in need of a tune up anyway. Just par for the course when you own one of these cars.

highboost951 · 04-14-2003, 01:17 PM

The P.M is under the "user cp" link on your pelican parts page. I don't have your private e-mail address.

highboost951 · 04-14-2003, 01:18 PM

In case you didn't get it I was offering a good used cat section from a 63K mile 951 that passed emissions when it was still alive.

scottmandue · 04-14-2003, 01:19 PM

Sid have you done a search here on CAT converters? IIRC a few people here have done some work on their exhaust and installed some kind of "high flow cat".
Better yet start a thread here about who/what/where has anyone got a new cat for their car.

HTH

highboost951 · 04-14-2003, 01:20 PM

Funny, the car was from Houston too.

carsontc · 04-14-2003, 01:25 PM

Funny, so is Discount Converters....what does it all mean???

highboost951 · 04-14-2003, 01:56 PM

Conspiracy Theory #2.

SidVicious · 04-14-2003, 02:12 PM

I got the email, thanks.

Guys, I don't know what to say. I was out of state during the last Presidential elections, and I'll never forget Gore's ads showing Houston as a grainy poluted place like some old Soviet-era eastern European country. It ain't that way. If you could just see the blue-bell sky I'm looking at out the window right now. I guess the EPA Gestapo is trying to keep it that way, so I am truly trying to get my car up to code the honest way. I'm just frustrated.

Or maybe there is a conspiracy... against front engined water-cooled porsches...

carsontc · 04-14-2003, 02:33 PM

Don't mess with Texas !

And especially when it ‘Blue Bonnet’ season…Interstates and highways filled with all types of gorgeous wildflowers.

You can’t help but jump out of your car and start running through them.

Houston is a great city…palm trees…sunshine and more sunshine.

Stand on a kitchen chair and you can see all the way to Austin !

Anyone got pix of the Blue Bonnets on I 35?

Eleg · 04-14-2003, 04:21 PM

I don't know about everywhere else but here if you fail twice they let you pass anyway. Also, once a car is 20 years old it is no longer tested. Finally, it seems that your car is rated on the year it was purchased. Therefore, my car should be rated on 1985 stats... I guess I'll find out soon. Time to have my car tested and liscenced for another year.

Roastin944 · 04-14-2003, 04:58 PM

This is not a big deal at all! Its just cutting out the section of the cat converter, and welding another inline where the old one use to be. The original is really long so a little bit of pipe and some adaptors may need to be used, any muffler shop should do it no problem, if thats too hard for them then they shouldnt be in buissness for welding exhausts!!!!!!!

highboost951 · 04-14-2003, 05:02 PM

The 951 cat section is stainless steel complicating the issue for standard muffler shops. Parwerks offers a rebuilt one for $400 I believe.

bader4 · bader4's Garage

There is a place in Alabama that rebuilds converters. They keep alot in stock already done. I don't know if they will have one for yours or not.
I don't have their number here but if you want it i can get it tomorrow.

SidVicious · 04-15-2003, 06:53 AM

I'll let you guys know how it turns out. I didn't get a chance to do anything with it last night. Yesterday turned into a 17 hour workday. I got stuck on a ship. When I saw the nationality of the crew, I knew I was in for a long night. Coupe would know what I'm talking about.

It was just a fitting end to a Monday.