Catalytic Converter - Replace Myself?

[k4tmc]

The old Proton has 160K miles now and it started losing power on slight inclines. The shop says it is the catalytic converters, Bank 2 is completely stopped up and Bank 1 is partially blocked.

How easy is it to do the replacement myself? Do these bolt on or is welding required?

[vt_maverick]

I don't the answer but I'll throw on a related question... what aftermarket cats are most similar to the stock cats for the VX?

[Buffy]

Getting the passenger side out with the trans in is pretty much impossible. You could get it out if you remove the torsion bars. There would be welding and some additional pipe needed as the original cats are much longer than stock. I would pay someone to do this for me.

[blacksambo]

Plugged cats?? What are you burning? If anything, after 160K they should be pretty much empty and throwing a polution code.

[k4tmc]

I have been burning standard regular gas, with an occasional tank of hi-test around inspection time to make the Check Engine light go out. I guess I have only stopped up the plate inside the 'Cat' and have not driven it hard enough to burn-out the plate. Should have been using hi-test more often, I guess.

Based on other comments and a review of photos here on the site, it looks like they are welded-in. So, I will have to find a muffler shop to do the work.

[evillecutter]

i had to have mine replaced a week ago - he just cut it out and welded a new one in there - said it was a common cat so he had one there no waiting - the old one was making a funny rattle anyways so im glad its out - plus now no check engine light - about $200 parts and labor - im pretty sure you can buy the entire exhaust assembly in sections from isuzu but im sure that would cost a fortune

[Lizardmen3477]

My cat is now also broke right up inside near the engine right side cracked completly aprt (165k) and which no also broke my flexpipe and all the shops are saying its going to be alot of labor and expensive parts. Any ideas or suggestions how to fix all the problems at once? Im sure by now it was all going bad anyway so should i just get a new exhaust from the headers back?

[Beavertractors]

They sell replacment cats made by Bosal--$300-$400 each side..Bolt on..TonyB