No, not the kind that go meow.

So apparently both of my catalytic converters have gone bad and (of course) my car is acting up... Dealer is quoting me $2300 for parts and labor to replace both cats, another mechanic is looking to do the same (oem stuff) for about $1800.

Now instead I was thinking of just going aftermarket at this point (something I've wanted to do ANYWAY). I know a shop that will do the tubing and welding, so no issue there... What would I need to get? And any suggestions?

I have the 2.8 12v quattro model... And yes I know performance parts are almost non existant...

I'm no technician, so theres a few questions too...
Cats -- Could I go universal? Where is the o2 sensor? Is that in the pipe or the cat?
Resignator -- Is there one? And what can I do about it?
Muffler -- In theory, as long as the pipe matches up with the inlet, it would work, right? The real issue is matching it to the hangers, I'd figure... So could I go for the 2.8 30v version providing the pipes met up?

ANY Feedback would be excellent. Thanks a bunch!

 

I would call up Labree Motorsports and see how much they quote you for.

 

Personally I'd just get some piping and straight pipe it (unless your state has emissions) then I'd probably get new cats from somewhere

 

i think the 12v and the 30v cat back exhausts are identical but i could be wrong. yes universal cats are fine. and it's resonator not resignator lol. you should have a muffler looking thing under the car around the middle of the car.

 

Yeah. I live in Connecticut, we need cats on our cars. I've been looking around Jegs, they have some MUCH cheaper and better performing cats available. Just wanted to make sure they'd do.

And thanks for the spell check on the RESONATOR . Yeah (from what I see - damn lowering springs) it looks like it goes...

headers -> Y-pipe -> cat 1 -> cat 2 -> resonator -> muffler

right?

I read that I COULD just go straight pipe passed the resonator, but it gives some horrible feedback without it...

And... anyone know the pipe sizing? 2.25? 2.50? larger? smaller?

btw, thanks for the replies, seriously helpful right now.

 

y pipe goes after the cats. piping should be 2.25 i think but i'm not entirely sure. go for 2.5 and just get a coupler that goes from 2.25 to 2.5

 

Really? I thought the headers gathered into the Y where they proceeded to the remaining exhaust.

Realize my exhaust only comes out 1 side.... (even tho I think its like that on all the B5s)

Oh wait, isnt there a flex pipe too? I think I noticed that before the cat.... (thinking)

 

on my 30v it goes headers > downpipe > flexpipe > cats > y pipe > resonator > muffler
it should be the same for yours

 

Take a look at these... I think they'd work...
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...002__-1_392925
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...50982_-1_74418

One of them being a muffler I think YOU suggested in another thread actually...


I also wonder... Are they 2 IDENTICAL cats? Or are they different in a way? I understand how a cat works and what it does... So my guess is the gases exit Cat 1 into Cat 2 to do like a "double filter" so to speak... right? In essense I'm trying to see if I can get away with just 1 cat over 2.... Mind you, I DO need to pass emissions.

 

haha no dude, there's a cat for each header and they are identical cats. yes those 2 parts you linked will work fine. don't even talk about emissions lol, i live in NY