|
Hi guys - just a word of warning for anyone who orders a 'borla' cat from fcpgroton or anywhere else. As some of you guys may know, our 161k 92 940 failed the NOX test two weeks ago during a TX state inspection. I ordered a 'borla' cat from groton - arrived at my door for $125 and included a donut gasket.
A year ago, I ordered a cat back exhaust system from volvo independent in houston, tx. It was also all walker parts and hangers. The cat back system fit perfectly - and I didn't even need to use the provided hangers. One thing that allowed it to fit perfectly was the new walker pipe that connected to my old cat converter - the flange was opened up to fit over my old cat.
So when I went to install my new 'borla/walker' cat, the end that lead OUT from the cat (toward the back of the car), the flanged end was also expanded. In other words, I had two expanded flange ends to mate up. Got the sawzall out and cut the flanged end off the new cat (BTW - the bends on the new cat were not identical to the original cat - this proved to be problematic). Long story short, I could never get the ends mated up - Had to butt them up, wrap aluminum ducting tape around them and use three band-style radiator clamps to keep things tight. Really had no choice, as I couldn't get the car to a muffler shop to have it all welded up. Today is my last chance on the inspection (TX gives you two weeks to get your problem fixed - and gives you one free retest). Today is the last day of my grace period.
Wish me luck! I'll let you boys know if the cat fixed things - and if my rigged up exhaust fooled them! I need to call my wife now and instruct her on her emmission test mission.
Hope this helps - my moral of the story - before ordering a replacement cat - make sure to ask about the flange on the back end of the cat - because if you replaced the rest of your exhaust system, it might not be a direct bolt on venture.
|