'97 SL2 Exhaust Manifold Integrated Catalytic Converter Replacement

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

06-05-2018, 03:06 PM

Lea Fairbanks

Junior Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jun 2018

Posts: 2

'97 SL2 Exhaust Manifold Integrated Catalytic Converter Replacement

Hi all,

Long time reader first time poster. This form is really helpful!

I have a 97 Saturn SL2 and the exhaust manifold integrated catalytic converter is clogged. I took it to a shop and they diagnosed it then turned me away - said it's not fixable because they can't get a replacement part.

Do I have any options here? I've searched online and I can't find a replacement either. Nothing looks the same and none of the recommended parts actually list the 97 year as a compatible car. Any fix I make would have to be legal since it's up for emissions this month.

Other than this, the car runs great! (with the o2 sensor out it runs pretty fine now!) I have taken great care of it and got it up to 280k miles. New starter and battery last December. Rebuilt transmission valve body last fall. Was really gunning for 300k!

Thanks for your advice!

Lea

06-05-2018, 10:23 PM

02 LW300

Super Moderator

Join Date: Apr 2015

Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Posts: 2,352

I suspect you have a California emissions car, we might need some information off the underhood sticker.

06-05-2018, 10:45 PM

02 LW300

Super Moderator

Join Date: Apr 2015

Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Posts: 2,352

I looked at the California Air Resources Board site. There are exemptions available for some aftermarket cat converters. You may be able to replace the main converter and gut the manifold converter and still remain legal. Start inquiring with C.A.R.B. Officials on how to make your car legal now. Do not wait for your test date. There are often exemptions if the repair cost is over a certain amount of money. I do not see any California exhaust system parts on Rock Auto or Napa sites.

06-06-2018, 05:16 AM

derf

Super Moderator

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: Slightly off center

Posts: 10,309

https://www.trademotion.com/parts/1996/Saturn/SL2/Base/?siteid=214568&vehicleid=175818&section=EXHAUST%20 SYSTEM

Supposedly this GM 21006802 / Exhaust ManifoldSATURN; DOHC; CALIFORNIA; LEV.

Costs a pretty penny.

06-06-2018, 03:30 PM

Lea Fairbanks

Junior Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jun 2018

Posts: 2

Thanks for the info. I'm not willing to spend $800+ fixing it unfortunately.

Here's some pics of the sticker and exhaust manifold.

https://i.imgur.com/2UTVhwD.png
https://i.imgur.com/RQPUd18.png

FYI I am registered in Utah, I talked to a representative of CARB and she turned me away. I found the guy in Utah and he's calling around to see what we can do to get me legal again.

I'll keep you posted.... Thanks!

06-06-2018, 08:54 PM

02 LW300

Super Moderator

Join Date: Apr 2015

Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Posts: 2,352

Since you are in Utah there is a much better chance to pass smog as a Federal emission car. Do independant garages do your smog tests or is it all state offices? The federal cars only have one cat converter downstream. It all depends where the downstream O2 sensor is in the exhaust system. If the sensor is past the downstream cat then the shop could gut the manifold cat and the sensors would still work properly. I would ask the Utah smog guys what will it take to make it legal. Is all of Utah smog tested or just the greater Salt Lake area? You may have to sell it out of the smog tested area, disclose that it will not smog.