SoCAL Newbie Needs Advise
 

I have a 03 SS which runs great. Went in for CA smog test (FAIL) Turns out there's a serial number on catalytic converter which is not matching up with VIN. Dealer is the only place to get it for $1000.00 for a new one. Are there any other options? Sources?

Greetings!

To satisfy California emission law the cat converter needs to be replaced with one that is compliant and registered with C.A.R.B. Compliant products are registered with the State and include a label you affix to the vehicle so you can get a waiver on the non-original product...on the pretense it is operating within OE spec. You don't need to go to the dealership to have one installed, but make certain that any shop installing it verifies it is C.A.R.B compliant and that they attach the label somewhere on the vehicle an emission inspector can see it.

yes 03ssle is right california has its own smog laws so it will have to be carb compliant luckly im only stationed here and my car is registered in illinios so i dont have to conform to the silly smog laws here hence the reason why turboing my monte carlo was so easy and welcome to the forum im in so cal so maybe ill see you at a car show sometime if you know of any let me know im trying to enter my car in a couple of them

Welcome to the site. I'm glad my state doesn't do any testing of any kind.

Welcome to the forum

Can't you get one off the same kind of car in a junk yard? I guess things have changed since I left Ca. in 2002.

Welcome to the forum, hope things work out.

Thank you all for taking the time to welcome me onboard as well as for the suggestions. Very much appreciated! I've been to 4 different exhaust specialist shops. None of them can get the converter for me, they all pretty much said the same thing. I have to get it from the dealer which quoted right under 1k.

The car has a salvaged title due to a heavy tree that fell on the rear roof/1/4 panel section. This was repaired by previious owner. Car runs awesome, but I'm most likely going to sell it for 3k to someone who can take it out of state. Or since I'm in San Diego, maybe in Mexico. Or, part it out. IDK, too bad. Tags are valid thru Feb, running out of time tho..

Thank you all for your comments!

Man that sucks. hopefully you can find another Monte that won't give you this much trouble. =] Whatever else you get, let us know, and won't have to leave the forum, all types of cars are excepted here. too bad on the dealerships trying to rape people on the price of some their parts. i went in to get a stock are intake system, and it was just south of 300 dollars. um no. lol :thumbsdown:

join NAIOA.com and PM a member called ZSpot

He works for a dealership, and can probably get you a proper cat for much cheaper