California Emissions ARB Catalytic Converter on 1999 Vehicross

[KILNA]

My catalytic converter has been rattling horribly recently, and throwing codes... so I figure I should get it replaced for my California registration which is due in a few weeks, and smog is due this year.

Looking up aftermarket cats on the official California site yielded no results for 1999:

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTo...earchTool.aspx

I then called the ARB to ask them what was wrong with their system. I was told categorically that if a vehicle model year isn't listed then the manufacturer never certified that year for aftermarket cats. She said if I had further inquiries on the matter, I'd have to bring it up with the manufacturer. She said installing an OEM cat was the only option, legally, for my VX.

I'm pretty sure it's a data error in their system since the vehicles are identical with the exception of tire size I think, there's no reason I can think of that Isuzu would certify 2000-2002 and not 1999, given the vehicles are identical. I don't know where to contact Isuzu to find out why 1999 isn't certified, their website is more or less scrubbed of any non-commercial vehicle stuff.

So, my question is, what recourse do I have? I doubt that fighting the ARB is going to yeild much. I could install a cat certified for 2000, but I think they check the cat type upon smogging to make sure it matches the database, and the smog place is in big trouble if it doesn't match.

Has anyone else gone through this? If so, what did you do? Can I even find an OEM cat? Is it legal to install a used one? Is it possible to contact someone at Isuzu with queries about why 1999 is not listed? If so, who would that be?

[tom4bren]

Step one should be to call Merlin to see if he can get you an OEM for '99. While you are on the phone with him, find out if the part # is different for a 99 than for 00 or 01. If it's the same part number for all three years then you should be legal to put on an aftermarket one for 00.

[Triathlete]

Most inspections of the cat consist of a visual inspection using a mirror. I dought they are going to crawl under every car to make sure you have a specific brand/type of cat let slone even knowing what a VX is or what came on it.

[JoFotoz]

If the one on the crashed VX I purchased is good...

...I'll happily do a deal with ya for it.

I'll be around all w/end if you want to check it out...I'm in Pacific Beach.

jo

[KILNA]

So, for anyone coming after I do looking to resolve the same issue, yes, the part numbers are identical on the 1999 and later model years, so legally I should be able to replace it with any 2000+ certified part. In theory. I may talk to the smog place to make sure they're amenable before committing to an aftermarket part.

[KILNA]

Follow-up: forum member and SD neighbor Disasterlady, worked with the State Parts Locator Supervisor to get the 1999 VX aftermarket cats into the APPROVED database! I'd like to thank her for helping out all of the California VX owners by tackling this problem.

[johnnyapollo]

That's awesome!

[rdw]

Were you able to find a replacement catalytic converter? I checked the APPROVED database and there's nothing listed for the 99 vehicross :-(

[KILNA]

Were you able to find a replacement catalytic converter? I checked the APPROVED database and there's nothing listed for the 99 vehicross :-(

I ended up getting a used one off of a wrecked VX that Jo had.

[disasterlady]

RDW: your PM mailbox is full, i COULD NOT REPLY, SO HERE IS MY ANSWER AND MAYBE IT WILL HELP OUT ANYONE ELSE IN california!
yes, I went through my records and it looks like they used a Walker #81712. I had Wally at "Wally's World of Mufflers & Air Conditioning" ( yup, that's the name ) in El Cajon put it on. Came to almost $350 back in 2014. His # is 619-444-1140... if he is still around? Hope that helps
dLady

[rdw]

Thank You!!!!

[jimmyray]

He must of added an extension as that aftermarket CAT is 2.25” x 8” long and the original cat is 13” long! QUOTE=disasterlady;310435]RDW: your PM mailbox is full, i COULD NOT REPLY, SO HERE IS MY ANSWER AND MAYBE IT WILL HELP OUT ANYONE ELSE IN california!
yes, I went through my records and it looks like they used a Walker #81712. I had Wally at "Wally's World of Mufflers & Air Conditioning" ( yup, that's the name ) in El Cajon put it on. Came to almost $350 back in 2014. His # is 619-444-1140... if he is still around? Hope that helps
dLady[/QUOTE]