New Car, New Issues

[Dr. Jerryrigger]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

one more question before i buy...

....your thoughts?

I'd go with the cheaper option. If you can use your old cat do it. If you can get it out and give it a good visual inspection that would be quite helpful.
If it is plugged up try soaking it in a citric acid and water over night.

[bowtieguy]

thanks DJ.

since the manifold is cracked as well, i'm gonna buy a new one. a used one would likely be cracked or crack soon and ebay isn't much better in price. the atp and dorman prices (~$200) are nearly the same, both w/ lifetime warranties.

the expensive bosman, catco, and eastern brands are REALLY pricey and w/out lifetime warranty.

[bowtieguy]

BUMP!!!

Originally Posted by bowtieguy

one more question before i buy...

dorman makes a 2 piece, keeping the cat separate from the manifold before install
atp makes a 1 piece assembly

so, here are my thoughts...
the one piece is more like OEM, and i could see fewer issues w/ say leaks and subsequent O2 codes
the 2 piece would seem less likely to have the manifold crack again

your thoughts?

[GasSavers_Erik]

For the same price and a lifetime warranty- I'd go with the 1 piece. I agree, 1 less gasket to possibly fail in the future.

[bowtieguy]

bought and installed the 1 piece...much better acceleration, but still lacking in FE. i miss my 2000 prizm, which was yielding several more mpgs over the civic. no doubt the deep tread michelins are hurting me. gonna try to upgrade to 195* thermostat next. bought one at rock auto for >$6 shipped if anyone is interested!