1999 S70 T5 - Need help finding a catalytic converter

Post by **kallekula** » 08 Jan 2015, 21:08

Hi all,
looks like my catalytic converter needs to be replaced on my 99 S70 T5. Car failed smog today due to high Nox numbers.
I have tried finding an aftermarket one on the interweb but haven't been successful yet. Anyone here that has replaced one on a T5? Is it the same cat that can be found on a low pressure turbo model like GLT?

Post by **tryingbe** » 08 Jan 2015, 21:28

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 70-vo93542

Not sure if it is CA compatible.

Post by **E Showell** » 09 Jan 2015, 07:31

I got my replacement CAT (admittedly not for a T5) from FCP as well. Also don't know whether it would be Ca compliant. In any event, after you get a price quote for the job (assuming you're not doing it yourself) then tell the shop you want the used CAT back. That may change their pricing, but may not. An OEM Volvo CAT has decent value as scrap because it has some precious metals in it. I got $70 for mine from a local metals recycler.

Post by **cn90** » 09 Jan 2015, 07:43

In 1998, I used DEC brand for my 1983 BMW 735i, DEC is a good brand, good alternative to dealer cat, which is prohibitively expensive.

So, 1+ to the link above for DEC brand.

@kallekula, how many miles in your car?

Post by **kallekula** » 09 Jan 2015, 10:34

Car got 184K.
The location of the two O2 sensors by the cat looks a bit funky. They sit so close to each other. Must be a pipe inside the cat leading back to the downstream O2 sensor for some reason?
Anyone cut the original out and welded on a universal one?

cn90 wrote:In 1998, I used DEC brand for my 1983 BMW 735i, DEC is a good brand, good alternative to dealer cat, which is prohibitively expensive.

So, 1+ to the link above for DEC brand.

@kallekula, how many miles in your car?

shawnmacananny · Post by **shawnmacananny** » 11 Jan 2015, 06:03

I've been lookng at the following for mine if i need to replace it, not CA compliant though. Maybe they offer one that is. Amazon generally has very competetive prices and free prime shipping

https://www.amazon.com/MagnaFlow-23761-S ... +magnaflow

Post by **dosbricks** » 11 Jan 2015, 12:46

kallekula wrote:Anyone cut the original out and welded on a universal one?

I'm running a universal high-performance cat on my 850. Good performance but it kicks a PO422 a few times a year. I believe this is due to greatly reduced back pressure compared to the original. Rspi (Robert) also has an aftermarket and also gets PO422 from time to time.

The local muffler shop charged $40 to weld it in--and then probably recycled my OE cat and came out way ahead.

I Initially ordered the complete unit from FCP but did not at all like the fitment and sent it back. That was a number of years ago, so that should not be extrapolated to the fit and brand they are selling today.

Post by **kallekula** » 14 Jan 2015, 13:31

Ok thanks for the replies. Having a cat that throws a code once in a while is not an option here since the smog stations won't even touch the car if the CEL is on.
Gonna smoke the intake/exhaust for leaks and also try a new MAF sensor before I decide whether to buy an FCP cat. Have a friend in Nevada where I can have it shipped to.
Annoying but I agree that air quality here has improved a lot since the stricter laws...

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 14 Jan 2015, 15:18

For this I would get a new OEM cat that works for your state EMS. Junk yard ones can have problems or they may save you some time until they go bad also. I say check with Mathews sponcer sites first then maybe FCP Euro parts. Just make sure that the new part is OEM so that they will fit and work for that car.

Post by **kallekula** » 24 Jun 2015, 10:43

A somewhat late update...
But, I found a muffler shop in my neighborhood that were very professional and nice. They cut off the old cat and welded on a Catco for less than half the price of a new aftermarket cat with piping. Everything legal and comes with a 5 year warranty. Car passed smog without problems.