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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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Catalytic Converter
I've got a 1998 Toyota Tacoma, 4x4, 2.7 liter truck that I keep in La Paz. The catalytic converter is going out, the truck needs a replacement.
If I go to the official Toyota repair shop in La Paz, they want $23,000 pesos to bolt in a new Toyota brand catalytic converter, parts and labor. They
will not install a non-Toyota brand. If I a go to a privately owned shop, they will charge me only $2,500 pesos to cut out the old catalytic converter
and weld in a "universal" catalytic converter, parts and labor.
I would like to install a catalytic converter that will be capable of passing a California DMV smog test. FWIW, that truck has about 4,000 miles on
it from driving in Baja over the last 3 years on Pemex "verde" gas.
Does anybody have any suggestions on where to get a decent catalytic converter installed that won't cost me an arm and a leg?
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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As you probably know, it is the responsibility of the Smog Shop to inspect and verify the Cat meets ( California Air resources Board) CARB.
I would strongly recommend looking at the CARB website to verify you are purchasing the correct one
Good luck
No worries
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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I had one stolen a few years back so I went online and got one for $125 bucks. It was a bolt-on type so my worker did just that.....bolted it on.
Thing was, in order to pass Ca Smog, it was still missing two oxygen sensors that were attached to the stolen converter, so I said screw it and
registered the vehicle in south Dakota.
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cabobaja
Nomad
Posts: 363
Registered: 9-19-2006
Location: South \"O\", Elias Calles, BCS
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Have Mexican plated Toyotas. I removed the catalytic converters. More miles to the gallon.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by cabobaja
Have Mexican plated Toyotas. I removed the catalytic converters. More miles to the gallon. |
I'd have done the same thing, but I had to fill the gap with something and the converter seemed to be the easiest solution.
I was in Sharky's mid afternoon having a couple of cold ones and when I came out it was gone. I started it up and looked around thinking, "Who's
making all that noise."
It was me, and it was loud.
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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 4999
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
If I go to the official Toyota repair shop in La Paz, they want $23,000 pesos to bolt in a new Toyota brand catalytic converter, parts and labor. They
will not install a non-Toyota brand. If I a go to a privately owned shop, they will charge me only $2,500 pesos to cut out the old catalytic converter
and weld in a "universal" catalytic converter, parts and labor.
I would like to install a catalytic converter that will be capable of passing a California DMV smog test. |
Suggest you consider option B - at least temporarily - and if you bring the vehicle back to California and it doesn't pass smog, then have it replaced
again locally (and it would still cost you less). In San Diego, an excellent resource for this is Dualtone in Pacific Beach:
http://www.dualtoneauto.com
I'm sure there are other options. Just putting this one out there.
On edit: I would be looking for an inexpensive "bolt in" option locally of course, not a "weld in" option - if at all possible.
[Edited on 7-27-2013 by BajaNomad]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaNomad
[On edit: I would be looking for an inexpensive "bolt in" option locally of course, not a "weld in" option - if at all possible.
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I think that will also require a welder to put in the two ends of the existing pipe to bolt to.
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 669
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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Easy option:
(Which I cannot recommend for legal liability reasons)
Remove the catalytic converter. Punch out all of the ceramic honeycomb inside. Use a long steel rod or thick rebar. Bolt or weld the gutted catalytic
converter back in place. There will be no back pressure from the cat to reduce performance. From outside inspection, it will appear that it has a
functioning cat.
If or when you bring it back to California, you could replace the cat, or not.
It is illegal to remove/modify the cat. If it ever comes into question, you didn't work on it yourself, nor do you have any knowledge of how the cat
was gutted.
Paperwork option: (MitchMan, I see from an old thread that you already know this info)
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=47068&pag...
To avoid the biannual smog inspection, provide a Statement of Facts to The Calif. DMV that your vehicle is primarily garaged in Mexico. You will be
exempted from the smog program and still receive your registration as usual.
"Statement of Facts" form REG 256
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg256.pdf
See page 10-12 of:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/reg_hdbk_pdf/ch10_RENEWALS.pdf
A smog certification is not required when a vehicle is located outside of California.
•The registered owner must complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) or submit a letter explaining that the vehicle is located out of state.
•The exemption for vehicles located outside of California does not apply if the residence or mailing address of the registered owner/lessee or the
address where the vehicle is garaged is in any of the following cities:
Vehicles Located outside California
Mexico:
•Tecate
•Tijuana
•Tijuana Baja CA
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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does anyone know if this can be online, or is it a stand in line?
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mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by willardguy
does anyone know if this can be online, or is it a stand in line? |
Not sure about online but I renew my '93 Chev PU at the Auto Club in San Clemente, CA using a "statement of fact". Quick and easy. The truck is kept
in Mulege and I had the CC replaced with a straight pipe....there is a muffler of course. If you replace the CC with one that is not approved for CA
for example a "49 state one" the smog shop will not pass it.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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sweet! next time in oxnard i'll hit the tripleA. is any "proof" required that you're garaged in mexico?
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 669
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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No proof required that it is garaged in Mexico.
I mail the "Statement of Facts" form, along with my registration renewal form, to the California DMV.
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mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by willardguy
sweet! next time in oxnard i'll hit the tripleA. is any "proof" required that you're garaged in mexico? |
No, however, they do require the address where the vehicle is in Mexico. I believe it must be some distance from the border but not sure how far.
Mulege qualifies.....it may be a days drive but don't know for sure. Sounds like you can mail it in also. I take my FM-3 or whatever they are called
now but never had to show....I also have a map of Baja so I could point out where Mulege is but again never been asked. Jim
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
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I do my Ca.reg. online and they mail my new sticker to my residence in Punta Banda . takes about 45 days usually. No Smog required
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 669
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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The location in Mexico does not have to be a certain distance from the border.
The only restriction is that the garaged location cannot be in either Tijuana or Tecate.
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RnR
Senior Nomad
Posts: 836
Registered: 5-1-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Maderita
The location in Mexico does not have to be a certain distance from the border.
The only restriction is that the garaged location cannot be in either Tijuana or Tecate. |
There is no specific "distance from the California border" listed in the DMV regulations. The regulations exclude locations by name. In reality, the
distance is about 30 miles.
There are locations/cities listed in Nevada, also. The cities/towns of Reno, Carson City, Incline Village, Minden, and Gardernerville are also on the
"do not qualify for exemption" list.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Maderita
There are locations/cities listed in Nevada, also. The cities/towns of Reno, Carson City, Incline Village, Minden, and Gardernerville are also on the
"do not qualify for exemption" list. |
On the other hand, there are areas right in California that are exempt. The Alpine area in San Diego county used to be one of them. Another is/was
Frazer Park up around LA. There are others.
.
[Edited on 7-28-2013 by DENNIS]
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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how do you know it is bad? what codes are being generated? have you changed out the oxygen sensors yet? your 02 sensors are a wear item and generally
fail around 100k miles. cats rarely fail. keep in mind the guy wanting to install the new one will sell the old one for $$$ scrap.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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There is a definite rattling sound when I start up the car or when I am running at lower RPM ranges. I recently read that sometimes a ratting-type
sound can come from loose heat shield that is either bolted onto or welded to the CAT (wherein such welds have deteriorated causing loose and
rattling sound). Other times, the rattling can come from within the CAT due to broken internal ceramic components.
I don't know which of the above-mentioned sources is the actual cause of the rattling sound.
Just came back from Baja. I am considering buying an LCEngineering replacement CAT that is legal for California and bringing it back into Baja on a
Volaris flight from TJ to La Paz, then having a Mexican mechanic install it. What I don't know is the situation with Oxygen sensors.
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woody with a view
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those shields are usually for the 02 sensors. get under there and kick the cat. if it is coming apart you will hear it rattle. how many miles on this
truck? you need to find out what codes are being generated.
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