Ok i will start off with There is no best choice when it comes to parts

i have a 97 cavalier z24 (automatic) ld9 2.4l

the car is running like crap and is throwing a cat low efficiency code rpm is being limited to 4k (top speed after 27 seconds is 58mph) and shifts require me to let off the gas completely (even if i am not through the floor board)


due to cash flow issues (ie not being able to pay some one $60+ an hour) i am going to have to do all the work my self (have access to all tools and parts car lift ...)


what i dont have access to is a welder (person who welds...good)

so it will have to be a direct fit cat

my price range is in the sub $200 shipped category

i have seen several options but cany decide what to go with

magnaflow was my first choice but what other options do i have (performance cat would be a +)

getting the car to be less of a safety risk would be a must

thanks in advance james

i don't have to pass state emissions where i live (or @ least where i register my car) so it does not have to be c.a.r.b. approved

any one have pricing on whole exhaust if i bought a uni-cat and had them weld me up an exhaust

it would have to fall in to the sub $200 category

vibrant makes good ones. under 200 easily

Working on obtainting an M-Class license... ?? Hint: 2 wheels.

I just bought mine off ebay for 70 bucks, (Magnaflow) best in my opinion.

It appears to me that vibrant does not make parts for any chevy (at least going by there online catalog)

Toronto Cavalier wrote:vibrant makes good ones. under 200 easily

i don't see where vibrant makes any catalytic converters...

let alone any performance parts for a cavalier...(at least from there online catalog)

take a look here just put in ur car and go from there. ive done plenty of business with them before and if ur lookin for a great price on a new part theyre the guys to get it from.

i saw they had 2 direct fit cats one was $202 and the other was like $175. shipping probably wont be too much more depending on where it has to come from. the direct fit cats come with the downpipe for the exhaust manifold welded onto them, and the 3 bolt flange for the catback welded up after the cat as well. so it is a direct bolt on piece (be prepared to destroy the bolts on the 3 bolt flange to get them off though).

good luck, hope it helps


Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Friday, January 09, 2009 9:28 PM

i was looking @ the eagle thanks i used them in the past for part #'s when ordering stuff here locally but didn't feel that safe ordering from them.


When i replace the cat should i replace the rear 02 sensor?

its always good practice to replace the O2 sensors if youre gong to have the car for a while, theyre probably gonna go bad in the future anyway so you might as well do them if youre down there anyway.

got a list of parts i would like to run by you all

rockauto.com
EASTERN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS Part # 50264
DENSO Part # 2341001 front o2 sensor
DENSO Part # 2344616 rear o2 sensor
$276.22 after shipping and the Governess of this fine state gets no nickles in her greedy pockets...


both of these below are from a company selling on ebay called tuningpros

was wondering if any of you have used there parts there headers are super cheap

these are just ideas for later on down the road ill most likely go with a local shop custom exhaust

header this is just a thought ebay...

cat back

thanks for any help

Vibrant Hi-Flow Stainless Cat and Stainless Cat-Back exhaust.


I believe the Cat was around $75 or so and the Exhaust was around $300 with a Polished Muffler

jgilk1 wrote:got a list of parts i would like to run by you all

rockauto.com
EASTERN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS Part # 50264
DENSO Part # 2341001 front o2 sensor
DENSO Part # 2344616 rear o2 sensor
$276.22 after shipping and the Governess of this fine state gets no nickles in her greedy pockets...

sounds good. shipping probably wont be too bad either. would be real nice for a stock setup.

heres my setup:
pacesetter Jet-Hot coated 4-1 header i found on ebay for $150 shipped


Magnaflow 2.25" cat i got for around $80


Jegs 2.25" Aluminized steel Catback exhaust i got for like 170


and a Dynomax 2.25" SuperTurbo muffler i got for 70. its a bit louder than stock, but not too much where i get attention from the cops

the jegs exhaust didnt come with a resonator, but with the dynomax muffler it really doesnt make difference, its a really quiet muffler, but it sounds pretty nice and i dont believe jegs makes the exhaust anymore.

um no matter what cat u get it will have to be welded. several people make "direct fit". magnaflow, catco, summit, etc. replace the O2 sensor as well. order the cat from turbotechracing.com its like $80 plus shipping and get the O2 sensor from ur local parts store. ur looking at about $150 plus install.

i kinda live in a farm town where every one drives a balls to the walls diesel as long as it sounds like a sports car i am fine

everything in this fine city will be ok with louder than stock exhaust (they never given me any trouble with my limo tint on the rear,and side windows)


different cat back i found


question on a weld in cat cause it looks like it would save me about $100 and no shipping what do you think a muffler shop would charge to weld it in?

2.25" from manifold above then 3" back

oh yeah where might i find a 2.25" in 3" out cat?

what kind of hp gain might i see from the original exhaust before the cat plugged up

complete exhaust 2.25" 4-1 mani, hi-flo weld in cat, 3" cat back
i was thinking like 20-25hp (possibly even 30 hp but that just sounds crazy)

lol u might see 10 wheel hp. and thats being generous. thats with a whole system (header, cat, and exhaust). ur going to spend more than 200 with a cat and cat back. and to answer ur question about a shop welding up a cat my local guy charges 35-60 depending on application

yeah ill blow $200 on them individually the process would be spread over some time so i have the vehicle in and out of the shop in less than 4 hours

while if i go with cat and header what might i expect hp wise?


when i look @ engine externals they give these large numbers for hp are those ratings for flywheel hp?