Exhaust & Cat question from a novice

[msreynolds]

My 2003 Mazda 6 recently shut down on me due to 2 of the 3 catalytic converters going bad. The car is out of warranty. The Mazda dealer gave me an estimate of $3000 for the repair. They said that aftermarket Cats are not yet available and I would have to use Mazda parts. I DO NOT want to spend that much on this fix.

A former co-worker who races Miatas informed me there may be a sport exhaust system that bypasses the Cats and would be a much less expensive fix. Does anyone have any info they could share? Please keep in mind that I do not have alot of specific knowledge some please try to keep the technical terms to a minimum.

I appreciate any help that anyone can provide.

 

[Killer]

go to an independant muffler shop and have the work done. My guess is no more than 500 dollars.

DO NOT go to Midas or any other chain.

 

[16902]

Emissions devices should be good for 8 years or 80,000 miles under the emission control warranty.

 

[BradC]

Emissions devices should be good for 8 years or 80,000 miles under the emission control warranty.

+1

 

[MUSOM]

I have the stock cats for my mazda speed 6. only have 6,000 miles on them. I'm unsure if they will fit the regular 6 exhaust. PM if you know or are interested.

 

[msreynolds]

I have the stock cats for my mazda speed 6. only have 6,000 miles on them. I'm unsure if they will fit the regular 6 exhaust. PM if you know or are interested.

Anyone know if these would be compatable?

 

[16902]

Anyone know if these would be compatable?

Do you have over 80,000 miles on your car? If not, then your cats should be replaced under warranty. The dealership is trying to rip you.

 

[Kansei]

Do you have over 80,000 miles on your car? If not, then your cats should be replaced under warranty. The dealership is trying to rip you.

I'm guessing he's over that.. 4 year old car 80k miles.. not too hard at all

 

[16902]

I'm guessing he's over that.. 4 year old car 80k miles.. not too hard at all

It's definitely possible but maybe not...

Either way, the dealership is the wrong place to have the problem addressed (I just realized how sad of a statement that really is). Any decent muffler shop could weld in a universal cat for much less than $3000.

 

[buit9110]

yeah man, any aftermarket place can fix that for you for a lot cheaper than the stealership.

 

[msreynolds]

Do you have over 80,000 miles on your car? If not, then your cats should be replaced under warranty. The dealership is trying to rip you.

Unfortunately, 97k.

I am working on trying to get it to an independent muffler shop. The problem is the car will not run, so I have to find someone to tow it for cheap.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Kansei]

If you just remove your exhaust the car will run.. just remove the primary cat and everything after that. Cheaper than a tow, will just be painfully, mind blowingly loud for that trip.