# Obscure sources for GM catalytic converters? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 18, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663 "2024-10-18T19:14:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Todd52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@Todd52](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Todd52)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/1 "2024-10-18T19:14:51Z")
This is a companion question to my P0420 post here: [Understanding P0420 code on 2008 Pontiac G6 GT](https://community.cartalk.com/t/understanding-p0420-code-on-2008-pontiac-g6-gt/197558/1) . I am curious if anybody can recommend sources for GM catalytic converters beyond GM itself and the usual web search hits? My friend will likely need to replace the bank 1 cat on his 2008 Pontiac G6 GT convertible 3.9L engine, the problem being there are no longer GM cats to be had anywhere in the GM system, and the only aftermarket I can find is from Walker and designed for the CA, NY, CO, and ME markets, which would be overkill and pricier than what is necessary for us in PA. The annual PA state inspection mandates that the problem be addressed. I plan to start by replacing the two O2 sensors on that side, one at a time, but when it comes to the cat, I am looking for other options. The garage that originally inspected the car mentioned he gets his cats (and similar items) from 1-800-EXHAUST…or something like that. Nothing like this appears on web searches, and this is the kind of obscure source I’m looking for. I expect there are more. The garage that gave us a second opinion said he could get cats (he wanted to replace both), but it was unclear if these were GM or aftermarket. He didn’t elaborate on the make or the source. Can anybody help? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/2 "2024-10-18T19:23:26Z")
Only one of the five cats on Rockauto is CARB compliant, $1,009, the other four are EPA compliant, $165-$358. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/3 "2024-10-18T19:27:32Z")
Just curious for the experts here, is installing a used/ recycled cat allowed in some states? One from a wrecked & totaled car, car donated to a recycling program, etc. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/4 "2024-10-18T20:16:29Z")
As @texases says, just get the cheap one from rock. After market folks take over when the manufacturers discontinue parts. I bought one from rock for my Buick years ago and never had a problem. Under $200. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/5 "2024-10-18T20:49:37Z")
> [@Todd52](#): > > only aftermarket I can find is from Walker and designed for the CA, NY, CO, and ME markets, which would be overkill and pricier than what is necessary for us in PA. Since 2008, cars sold in PA must be CARB certified for emissions. (look it up online if you want) If the car is labeled CARB certified for 50 state sale, you MUST replace the catalytic convertor with a CARB certified replacement… I.e. the expensive cats, or you will fail the visual inspection. Look for the emission label underhood. If it is a 49 state car (non CARB) you can use the cheap cats. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/6 "2024-10-18T20:57:31Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > Just curious for the experts here, is installing a used/ recycled cat allowed in some states? One from a wrecked & totaled car, car donated to a recycling program, etc. It is illegal for any salvage yard to sell catalytic converters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers it a violation of its policies for consumers to install a used converter from a salvage yard or sell it for reuse unless it has been properly tested and labeled. According to the EPA, there are only three situations when you can install an aftermarket converter. They are: 1. If the converter is missing from the vehicle when brought in for exhaust system repair 2. If a State or local inspection program has determined the existing converter has been lead poisoned, damaged, or otherwise needs replacement. 3. If the vehicle is more than 5 years old or has more than 50,000 miles (8 years/80,000 miles for 1995 or newer vehicles) and a legitimate need for replacement has been established and appropriately documented (e.g., a plugged converter or unrepairable exhaust leaks) Any other converter replacement must be wit a ‘certified’ or new original equipment (OE) or equivalent converter. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/7 "2024-10-19T14:03:24Z")
It looks like you are required to meet the CARB standards. MY2008 is the first year that CARB compliance was required in PA. You can’t use a catalytic converter that only meets US EPA requirements. The link below is from the PA state government and tells you what you need to know. > **[Clean Vehicle Program](https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/Automobiles/Pages/CleanVehicleProgram.aspx)** ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/8 "2024-10-19T21:09:02Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > MY2008 is the first year that CARB compliance was required in PA. You can’t use a catalytic converter that only meets US EPA requirements. I wonder if that applies if the car wasn’t originally sold in PA? My truck was purchased out of state, but it doesn’t have a cat. My car waspurchased in-state, but it has never needed a replacment cat. So I’m not sure what the rule is here in Calif . My guess is that an out-of-state car needing a replacement cat here in Calif only has to meet the original equipment specs where it was sold , not CARB specs. If I had that problem I’d still be inclined to replace the cat with a CARB-spec cat. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 9:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/9 "2024-10-19T21:19:56Z")
Kind of irrelevant since the car is in penn not cali. But whether to replace a $1000 cat on a $5000 car is an individual choice. Still I wonder if the parts are the same but just a longer warranty thus the added cost for replacements. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/10 "2024-10-19T21:25:40Z")
And we don’t know where the OP’s car was sold originally. I was just thinking out loud if the same applies in Calif or not. I have no idea what , if any, differences there are in CARB spec cats vs non-CARB cats. It seems odd that a car in PA would have to comply with Calif’s rules, but I guess that’s just the way the cookie crumbles. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/11 "2024-10-19T21:33:19Z")
14 states have adopted the CA emissions regs for cars and fall under “CARB Compliant”. More info here: > **[What CARB and CARB Compliant Actually Means | Metromile](https://www.metromile.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-carb/)** > > If you’ve seen CARB, you might wonder what is CARB and what does CARB compliant mean. Find out which are CARB states and what it all means. ---
**Author:** ![Todd52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@Todd52](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Todd52)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2024, 3:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/12 "2024-10-24T03:07:47Z")
Well, not many obscure dealers, I guess. Thanks for the CARB explanation. The car is a 2008 and originally purchased in PA, so there’s no ambiguity. Not sure if it’s the correct “side”, but this is the Walker cat I found over a month ago: [https://www.walkerexhaust.com/find-my-part/part-details.html?part\_number=82803&brand\_code=BDCN](https://www.walkerexhaust.com/find-my-part/part-details.html?part_number=82803&brand_code=BDCN) We’ll go with that if nothing else helps. Going to try a few homespun solutions shortly, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Todd52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@Todd52](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Todd52)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/13 "2024-11-10T00:04:52Z")
It doesn’t seem we’ll need a new cat after all, but for anybody digging for alternatives, I did find > **[Discount Catalytic Converters](https://www.discountconverter.com)** > > Discount Catalytic Converters. during one web search. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/14 "2024-11-10T01:57:54Z")
> [@Todd52](#): > > It doesn’t seem we’ll need a new cat after all Could you please explain why you don’t need a cat anymore? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/15 "2024-11-10T02:17:52Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > > [@Todd52](#): > > > > It doesn’t seem we’ll need a new cat after all > > Could you please explain why you don’t need a cat anymore? > [@Understanding P0420 code on 2008 Pontiac G6 GT](https://community.cartalk.com/t/understanding-p0420-code-on-2008-pontiac-g6-gt/197558/28): > > Big news! At least for the present, the cat problem is solved…and for roughly $20! slight_smile Compare to the Bank 1 test above: In a YouTube video on cleaning cats, in the comments someone mentioned removing the upstream oxygen sensor and carefully spraying an entire can of throttle body cleaner into the hole while the engine runs. I then cleared the codes and waited for the results. Today the readiness indicator came back and with no P420. Going to get it to the gara… ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/16 "2024-11-10T02:20:07Z")
That is why I hate when topics are split up, if I was an admin I would have joined them back together… ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/17 "2024-11-10T02:55:21Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > if I was an admin I would have joined them back together… You mean you’re not King of the Forest!? 😄 ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/18 "2024-11-10T18:16:12Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > You mean you’re not King of the Forest!? 😄 Please, I’m not even King of my household, I have to clear everything with My 2 dogs and wifey 1st… Dogs tend to over rule her also… 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/19 "2024-11-10T21:37:22Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > Could you please explain why you don’t need a cat anymore? +1. Future Car Talk forum folks with similar car problems using this forum’s superb search feature will be helped immensely if OP provides the final diagnosis & solution for reference. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663/20 "2024-11-10T22:05:10Z")
It is in post number 15… 🤦‍♂️ [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/obscure-sources-for-gm-catalytic-converters/197663.md?page=2)