EPA vs CARB

[Shran]

Nothing wrong with a universal cat - disadvantage is there may be some welding & fabrication involved as it's not a bolt in direct fit item (usually.) The direct fit will bolt right in but it'll be more expensive.

I don't know if a performance cat would be worth it. Maybe if it's stainless steel. I have the factory cat in my '82 F250 that still flows but we've all seen late model vehicles with plugged up cats - just depends on the situation.

 

[pacstud]

Nothing wrong with a universal cat - disadvantage is there may be some welding & fabrication involved as it's not a bolt in direct fit item (usually.) The direct fit will bolt right in but it'll be more expensive.

I don't know if a performance cat would be worth it. Maybe if it's stainless steel. I have the factory cat in my '82 F250 that still flows but we've all seen late model vehicles with plugged up cats - just depends on the situation.

Well I like the universal option since I have the luxury of a realistically priced install. There's a "high-mileage" magnaflow, says more metals but still ceramic coated. I really just want longevity. It's on amazon (yikes) but it's through the magnaflow store and is sold/shipped by amazon which is usually better.

 

[gw33gp]

California
Air
Resources
Board

Anything certified to work with CARB is "cleaner" and more expensive. Not "better", just more expensive. I would go with the federal/EPA part.

Shran is right. The CARB cat has more expensive precious metals in it to make the exhaust cleaner. If you don't need it or don't have emissions testing, the EPA cat will be just as durable.

Just make sure you just replace the cats only. I used a Walker complete kit with their Y-pipe. It did not fit very well, and the pipe gauge was thinner. I had them replaced several times under warranty because the pipe kept cracking. I eventually had the pipe reinforced where it was breaking and replaced the manifold flange area with thicker pipe and have had no problem since.

I never had a problem with the cats. I wish I would have kept the original pipes and had just the cats replaced.