So I was having Problems with my car this last week. And I had replaced the MAF sensor cause It was sorta messed. But anyways, I think when the car got the cat hot. It may have melted the hell outa the cat. So i'm trying to take it off, and check it out. My question is, Does anybody know The easiest way to get this cat off. It's A 97 with the 1.8. I just want to pull it off and gut it out, till I can afford A new one.

 

you can get universal cats for like 100 bucks

but, to answer your question -
http://audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101953

 

if you have never taken it off before, theres a good chance you wont get it off without destroying the bolts. when i installed my exhaust (at 100k miles on the car) i had to torch off the cat>downpipe bolts. the only real time you ruin a cat is when you have a major misfire and drive with it for a while. the unburnt fuel gets dumped into the cat and makes it get real hot and melt. they sometimes get sorta clogged after a long lifetime of use, but dont usualy just melt down.

 

Yeah The car got hot ( that's another story, in another thread) haha, But yeah, i'm Almost positive the cat is toast. And Where can I get a universal that would fit??? Because Most Universals i've seen aren't cats that as close to the motor as mine.

 

If you don't want any problems, ie MIL engine light on all the time , you must be very careful with the type of cat you put in. Some aftermarket cats will fit ok but will fault after the 1st self test the computer performs. A cat from the dealer will ensure that - all other its is a rool of the dice.

 

If you don't want any problems, ie MIL engine light on all the time , you must be very careful with the type of cat you put in. Some aftermarket cats will fit ok but will fault after the 1st self test the computer performs on it. A cat from the dealer will ensure that it will work fine and you can go after them if it fails- all other replacement units are a roll of the dice. Take it from a guy with experience.

 

if your taking it off make sure you throw some pb blaster on all 6 bolts the night before,
i did this to mine and they came of fairly easily, other that that follow the diy...

 

necrothread, but i commend you for searching.