I don't remember how much it would cost 8 years ago for an OEM
CAT. But it was around $300. That's why I talked to my cousin who
is a mechanic and owner of a 76 gas station and repair shop.
He ordered one for me without my approval. He intended to give
it to me as a gift but I paid him the amount on the receipt.
It was less than $100.

I have two Vanagons. One of them still has the original OEM CAT.
It is about 1.5 time the size of the aftermarket one. The cheapo
looks indeed very cheap. I never thought it would last for too
many years. Apparently the CAT does not wear out. It passed every
California SMOG test since 8 years ago.

The point I am trying to make is I don't know what it is all about
the special California CAT. The cheapo CAT I have works extremely
well. I bet if you order out of state (as long as it fits) it will
be just fine. I will not hesitate to order the cheapest one.

The Vanagon does need to be healthy though. I bought my 84GL new
and have been taking care of it myself. It has never been in a shop
for any repair. The California weather helps a lot. The engine
compartment is always clean enough so it is not hard to keep everything
in good working order. The reason I replaced the CAT was it was moved
to my 83 Westy. The one on the Westy crapped out and I needed one
replacement fast. So I stole it from the 84. I got the cheap one
for the 84 afterwards. I have looked for a used OEM one for years
and could not find one. I then realized that it was banned from
selling used CATs in California. This regulation in my opinion is
set up for consumers to pay the auto industry for new CATs at $800
a piece. Used (but not defective) CATS will work just as good as
new ones.

By the way, for 83 - 85 Vanagons you need to warm up the engine to
normal working temperature for the O2 sensor to function properly.
So if you do a SMOG test before the engine (o2 sensor) is hot enough
it will fail.

David

--- On Fri, 10/2/09, Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM> wrote:

> From: Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
> Subject: Re: California catalytic converter needed
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 3:26 PM
> --snip--
> I had an aftermarket CAT installed on my 84 GL about 8
> years ago.
> It was a cheapo. I wasn't too happy about its look. But
> liked the
> price (less than $100). So far it never failed any SMOG
> test.
> --snip--
>
> I wonder if, 8 years ago, a cat at that price without
> markup was pretty
> close in quality/construction to OEM?
>
> Cya,
> Robert
>