Difference in Cats

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 18, 2017 | 01:53 PM

GerritMaxwell

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 29

Likes: 0

From: Southern California

Difference in Cats

Hi all,
I have a 1988 F350 with a 460 and a single 3 inch exhaust.
The oxygen sensor is pre-catalytic in position.
What is the difference between a California and non-California catalytic converter for this truck?
Thanks in advance,
Gerrit

Apr 18, 2017 | 02:42 PM

My4Fordtrucks

Hotshot

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 12,878

Likes: 2,446

Since you are in California you will have to buy the California converter. I believe it is CARB certified replacement part.

Apr 18, 2017 | 03:24 PM

GerritMaxwell

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 29

Likes: 0

From: Southern California

Quote:

Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks

Since you are in California you will have to buy the California converter. I believe it is CARB certified replacement part.

Does that mean its identical except maybe a stamp or sticker?
Worried more about emissions check and passing than a certification stamp

Apr 18, 2017 | 03:50 PM

HeavyE85

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2016

Posts: 151

Likes: 1

They will check for the CARB id number on any aftermarket cat. So you need to buy the correct approved cat for your application.

Apr 18, 2017 | 04:14 PM

GerritMaxwell

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 29

Likes: 0

From: Southern California

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyE85

They will check for the CARB id number on any aftermarket cat. So you need to buy the correct approved cat for your application.

Thanks guys, maybe I wasn't clear.
So as to pass a "sniffer" test from the smog man. Are the internal workings of a 49 state and 50 state (O.E.M. replacement) catalytic converter the same?

I get the whole CARB stamp thing, not worried about that.

Apr 18, 2017 | 04:53 PM

HeavyE85

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2016

Posts: 151

Likes: 1

No real difference, so yeah any cat appropriately sized will blow clean. However, a legit smog guy will check the numbers on the cat and if they do match it's still a fail even if the numbers are clean.

Apr 19, 2017 | 06:16 AM

'89F2urd

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 5,798

Likes: 453

Modern 3 way convertors are better than the old stuff that was originally on these trucks. Modern 3 way cats will pass the sniffer but you'll have to be creative with the air injection to pass a strict visual test. If I'm not mistaken, you can get a 3 way with air injection port but most don't have them. If you don't have to worry about visual, any properly sized cat will do.