My wife has a 98 civic si coupe auto and she burned the cat out. Took it to a dealer and they plugged the computer in and the code was the cat. this cat is right underneath the stock manifold which i've never seen before.
Two questions here: if i put on a performance header and downpipe will my engine light still stay on even though i'm getting rid of that cat?
Are there two cats on this car - 'cause typically the cat is underneath the body of the car...
need some input!
thanks

 

one cat, and yes the CEL stays on if you remove the cat.

there are two O2 sensors one pre, and one post-cat. The computer looks at readings for both and makes sure the cat is still effective. If no cat, computer sees readings from the two O2 sensors are = and will throw a cat code.

the ONE cat is close to the manifold so it heats up faster, reducing emissions sooner than what other ghay companies do with the under-car cat. Honda>the rest haha

Typically, the cat is warrantied for 160,000 kms by law. So the dealer should replace it. Besides, how did she burn the cat out? Leaded fuel?? hahaha cuz that depends on whether they'll replace it and so on.

Finally, you have two options. Use the "resistor mod" or use a O2 simulator box and run an aftermarket header. OR get a used header from the classifieds here for pretty cheap. Me, I'd go for the used header.

 

Throw this into the mix - i have relatives who own a honda dealership in Sarnia (on my wife's side) and they tried to get me a new cat under warranty - until they realized my flippin' car is branded!! So that would've worked...if the car wasn't JUNK!!
Man - you definitely know your stuff!! Thanks for your help!! i'll keep on looking for a used si cat - dealer wants like $800 - what the CRAP!!! lol

 

get like an aftermarket cat worse comes to worse, 8bills is way too much, esp if your car is still branded

 

yeah, no dealer man!! there are tons of guys that are tossin these motors out, or tossing headers or turbo manifolds on those cars. if you keep an eye on the classifieds, you'll come across a manifold for sure!! you know what... take a picture of your manifold... the way you describe it, it actually sounds like a DX manifold, and the car being branded.... it makes me wonder. So yeah... toss up a pic if you can.

The other option is like Alex said... you can put a header on it and relocate the cat downstream. However, this will involve extending the O2 wires to accomodate the new location for the cat. And it'll involve some exhaust shop labour to mount a universal cat. You can prolly get one online (Carsound or Catco) from Jeg's or Summit Racing for around $80 USD. Shop around, maybe some TCC affiliates like Astroboy or lordm can set you up with the same thing but w/o the headaches of shipping and paying duties and brokerage charges. Either way, there are plenty of options. Again, the CHEAPEST will be to just find a replacement in the classifieds and bolt it up. Alternatively, if that fails, car-part.com is a database of all the junk yards in north america... so you can search ontario. AND it lists prices too.

 

here are some of the cheaper ones...

1998
Exhaust Manifold
Acura EL 1.6L X09299 US$150
CAN$180.00 Corey Auto Wreckers Can-ON(London) Request_Quote 1-800-265-9250 Request_Insurance_Quote
1998
Exhaust Manifold
Acura EL 4AT,1.6MTP C50273 US$114.59
CAN$137.51 Lecavalier- Cumberland Can-ON(Cumberland) E-mail 1-800-463-9966 USA,800-570-3977 Can
1998
Exhaust Manifold
Honda Civic SI 1.6,HEADER STYLE,AFTERMARKET 4AU058 US$104.17
CAN$125.00 Bodyline Auto Recyclers Can-ON(Hamilton) E-mail 1-905-573-7000
1997
Exhaust Manifold
Acura EL - NO O2 HOLE-U LP6514 US$104.17
CAN$125.00 Saunders Auto Service Can-ON(Thorndale) E-mail 1-800-265-0369
1996
Exhaust Manifold
Honda Civic USED TESTED NO CAT STYLE VTEC DUAL 9.4 JAPCIV US$100
CAN$120.00 Japanese Used Auto Parts Can-ON(Scarborough) E-mail 1-416-289-7777
1996
Exhaust Manifold
Honda Civic SI,NO CAT STYLE,VTEC,DUAL, 10.4 RICER1 US$100
CAN$120.00 Japanese Used Auto Parts Can-ON(Scarborough) E-mail 1-416-289-7777

 

I did what bruno said. Im running a d16y8 header and a rsx cat, i got the exhaust shop to weld in an O2 bung. Costed me $300 with two new O2 sensors If you get a shop to install all this ask them to solder and tape all connections because the shop that did mine jus used butt connectors and the wires were all corroded in no time and caused nothing but headaches

 

I would end their life for that!

haha

weatherproof heatshrink > tape

 

according to the car he should have a d16y8...... does it have a different motor in it??

 

i jus redid it with heatshrink and tape.....thats why i was throwing a code 20 The only way to get it done is to do it yourself