1. Home
  2. Automotive Technologies
  3. Aftermarket Converter 2000 Accord ULEV in MD

Aftermarket Converter 2000 Accord ULEV in MD

I will eventually need to replace the converter in my 2000 Accord with the 23A4 engine, which is a ULEV model. The car has 145,000 miles on it, and the media is coming apart inside and rattling. Searching the online parts sources, converters for the standard motor are readily available and reasonably priced, unlike the factory model that comes with a $1500 sticker that will put me in a serious financial hole.

All of the aftermarket converters I saw advertised had some sort of disclaimer such as not available in California, not for the SULEV, won't fit California Emissions, etc. I just want it to work, and as long as it will do the job it is supposed to and pass my MD emissions test next year, fits my exhaust system, and won't adversely affect the way it runs, I will be happy.

Will the aftermarket stuff work, or am I screwed?

Reply to
Bruce_Nolte_N3LSY&
Loading thread data ...

This is what we call an engineering project.

Does the ULEV model have a physically different exhaust system? Can you simply swap some pipes, or will you need to fabricate tubing?

Once you get the standard cat con in there, will the ULEV system do bad things with the alien catcon? I don't know. Probably not.

I would get with the rice box modifiers as they know what works with what in terms of parts and firmware.

The other thing is what does your state allow and disallow and how well do they search for it? Can you get a waiver if the cat is there and apparently does nothing? You may be able to gut or punch it and live happily ever after, with or without sensor mods or firmware changes.

Reply to
Bret Ludwig

MD does a visual check, to see if there is something like a cat in the exhaust system, and a sniffer test to actually check the emissions. However, I think on the newer vehicles (of which I have none) they just plug into the OBD2 connector and see if there's any codes present, if not they check to make sure all the appropriate flags are set (i.e. you didn't disconnect the battery around the corner to reset the computer before you pulled into the inspection station) and if everything looks good there you get a pass. I seriously doubt that you could get away with a gutted cat, as I'm pretty sure the OP's car has an O2 sensor both upstream and downstream, although I wouldn't bet anything important on that statement.

So I guess the real question the OP is asking is, will an aftermarket cat fit, and will it keep the computer clear. And those are questions I can't answer...

nate

Reply to
N8N

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.