1999 S80 T6 Cat replacement OE or aftermarket?

dvedaa · Post by **dvedaa** » 23 Oct 2013, 18:41

I need to replace that Cat on my S80 T6. I have replaced all 4 o2's and the car runs great - but the CEL just wont go away. I have taken it in to a local Dealer and they have advise that the Cat is an aftermarket one and needs to be replaced. The car has 197k on it. The dealer quoted me $1300.00 which is basically the cost of the OE cat - they have a discount program that is for high milage older cars and it would cover the cost of the labor. About $300 in savings....

The question is... Do i drop another $1300 into this car or go for the 1999-2001 Volvo S80 2.9L Catalytic Converter 52826 off of the Exhaust Distribution web site for $278.33 and replace it myself? I'm having a difficult time with deciding so i thought I would ask for advise from everyone else. Please- let me know what you think.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 23 Oct 2013, 18:52

1) Assuming the existing Cat has been on the car since you owned it and has only now recently indicated by the CEL to require replacing due to normal age and clogging then it would appear aftermarket Cats are not really a problem for your car.

2) If however, it is newish and the CEL has been showing since installed then it and other aftermarket Cat's may not be particularly compatible and the car is letting you know.

Based on (1) I would buy the one you have quoted and self install it.

dvedaa · Post by **dvedaa** » 23 Oct 2013, 18:58

difflock54 wrote:1) Assuming the existing Cat has been on the car since you owned it and has only now recently indicated by the CEL to require replacing due to normal age and clogging then it would appear aftermarket Cats are not really a problem for your car.

2) If however, it is newish and the CEL has been showing since installed then it and other aftermarket Cat's may not be particularly compatible and the car is letting you know.

Based on (1) I would buy the one you have quoted and self install it.

I wish that i knew when the existing cat was installed! I have no way of knowing but with a car that has 197k on it and is on its second cat - i have to wonder.. Cat's are suppose to last longer than this - no?

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 23 Oct 2013, 19:07

Not necessarily.

Short trips, city traffic, low octane fuel,driving style etc may all help to contribute to a shorter life.
After 12 years its not uncommon to have been replaced. 197k miles is a good innings really.
I know people who have needed new Cat after about 100 kilometres here so it's probably not unexpected really.

dvedaa · Post by **dvedaa** » 23 Oct 2013, 19:13

I'm thinking that the car has seen nothing but short trips it's whole life. Thanks difflock!

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 23 Oct 2013, 19:21

The 2 cats the car has had have done possibly about 100k miles each (160,000 kilometres)
The factory original is most likely to have lasted a bit longer than the aftermarket one did but thats normal with exhaust components in all cars.
Assuming the new one your looking at is well manufactured, properly installed and has a reasonable warranty you should get an acceptable service life from it.

Post by **JDS60R** » 23 Oct 2013, 19:24

With oxygen sensors being replaced on time cats can live along time. That being said short trips are harder on them - especially less than 5 minutes with outdated oxy sensors.

We have great luck welding in Magnaflow cats. No lights , passes emissions with ease etc.

Please ad your location to your profile so locals can suggest good local businesses that can weld one in.

dvedaa · Post by **dvedaa** » 23 Oct 2013, 19:26

Perfect... Thank you again.

dvedaa · Post by **dvedaa** » 23 Oct 2013, 19:31

Jds60r...
I looked and im not sure how to update my location but Im in Portland, Or. I would be interested in knowing more about the option of welding in the Magnaflow....

Post by **JDS60R** » 23 Oct 2013, 22:10

Local muffler shops can weld one in. If you were local I would tell you to come over so we can weld one in.

I like to use the universal fit cats and weld it in. Expect $100 for the converter and weld cost about $150 or less (tig vs mig). I pick a Magnaflow the right length and diameter as well as having the O2 port in
the right place and then weld it in. I forgot if the T6 had mutiple cats or not.

Post a picture of what you have if you can't find what you need at Magnaflow. Magnaflow has lots of retailers so price shop as many of the $280 magnaflow cats cost $100 at your local O'Riellys or mail order.