My out of state mustang had the cats hollowed out and now I need new ones. I've learned that there are no aftermarket choices for newer mustangs that are CARB approved for CA, so I have to get stock ones. The prices I've seen range $1500-$2000 which is just out of the question right now- anyone in CA have some suggestions?

PS - I don't qualify for CAPS assistance or 2 yr smog exemption due to out of state change of ownership.

 

You have "cats" on the car correct? Did you try and get the car smogged and just not tell the shop they are hollow? Most places wont know the difference and as long as it passes the sniff you shouldnt have a problem. Just and idea.

Matthew

 

He'd also have to do the anti-fouler trick on the second set of oxygen sensors and make sure they are all turned on for the obd part of the test.
I assume you've tried junkyards, are they running that high there? You could also try ebay, I know of at least one local guy who bought a set of oem exhaust for like $200 or something. In state, everyone needs their cats, so your not likely to find any available in CA at a good price, but out of state, they aren't all as stringent, so everyone who has installed longtubes has a set.

 

The sniff test shows high hc so that's why I'm gonna need new cats. I've heard of people putting rubbing alcohol in their tanks to pass, but I'm afraid of damaging something.

 

I have no idea if that works but there is no way in hell I would try it. Ebay, or other Mustang forums for sale sections will probably be a good place to look.

Good luck.

Matthew

 

Whats that? I dont know of such a trick but it might come in handy in the future.

Matthew

 

some say it works, others say it's only a temporary fix to get past smog. But basically, on the rear O2 sensors, you pull them, install 2 spark plug anti-foulers, with the outmost one drilled out and then install the O2s into the a2 anti-foulers.
This pulls the rear O2 sensors out of the main stream of exhaust so the rear O2s see less gases, tricking it into thinking the cats are doing their thing.

There's also the MIL eliminator which you can buy or wire up yourself, not much more than a resistor to lower the signal that the PCM sees.

And I saw one "minicat" that works like the anti-fouler, but has some cat material in it.

 

I passed the obd and visual, just not the sniff (high HC), I need to get the fumes down to passing level.

Do you guys know if a 2007 4.0 liter cat will fit on mine (I have 4.6)? I've seen a few of those around that are re-certified for a good price and it includes the Y pipe which would be preferable as opposed to welding two separate parts into my pipes.