When I bought a catalytic converter for my California model '81 from Ron, I
didn't know there was any difference in requirements between the Federal and
California models; the Bus Depot's web site didn't make any distinction -
though it does now! :-)

Anyway, Ron sent me a water-cooled catalytic converter and it plugged in
just fine.  It even has its own O2 sensor port so you can setup a separate
"real time" mixture sensor if you want to!
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Tom Young                  tomyoung1@home.com
Lafayette, CA 94549        '81 Vanagon
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----- Original Message -----
From: "The Bus Depot" <ron@netcarrier.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: Catalytic converter question...

> > Can anyone tell me why the catalytic converter on air-cooled, California
> > vans is unique from that of 49-state versions? I realize that the
> > California exhaust setup is different from 49-state, but the converter
> > appears to be just a simple, inline, 12" unit with 3-bolt flanges, like
> > any other VW converter. In fact, it seems to match the stock converter
> > that came out of my '87 Westfalia.
> >
> > Some cat vendors that deal in direct-fit replacement cats list the same
> > converter for all vans of the same year. I bought one for my '87 and had
> > no problems. I would like to buy one for my '82 so I can sell it,
> > but....
> >
> > Other vendors (including BusDepot) list California vans as having a
> > unique converter, and it is priced much higher than the $100 and much
> > more common cat.
>
>
> Actually, I believe, but am not 100% certain, that the 83-91 cat (my part
> number 22918, $99.95) will fit this application despite the fact that it
is
> not listed as such.  This is based on reports from a couple of previous
> customers but has not been confirmed by me from direct experience.
>
> - Ron Salmon
>   The Bus Depot, Inc.
>   http://www.busdepot.com