k24a4 catalytic converter

This is a problem for California folks only. In 2009 california passed new legislation concerning catalytic converters. Previous legislation stated, more or less, that a universal cat could be used if it matched engine size and vehicle gross weight, and many options were available. New legislation says that cats must meet oem standards and are mostly car specific. It also stated that exhaust shops cannot straight pipe your car or put a non-oem cat on your vehicle or the are subject to a minimum fine of $5000 and may lose their business license. That being said, all other 49 states can use a universal cat or can straight pipe if desired. I've spoken with both catco and magnaflow and are both working on new applications for all california cars, from what I gather any new car will carry something like a CARB OE number. But all of us in california have 3 options: 1)buy an oem cat from honda directly and spend $500 2)wait for catco or magnaflow to make our specific cat 3) clear out the cat until you can either do 1 or 2. If you have to pass smog immediately to register, you don't really have much of an option but to get a new cat right away.

Having been in a similar situation recently I decided to take matters into my own hands. I recently had a cat clog on me which in turn threw off my timing. Luckily this was after passing smog 2 weeks earlier by only 2PPM. One day my car wouldn't start due to too much back pressure because of the clogged cat, I preceded to jack up the car to get under it and chop off the cat to take a look. The inside of a cat should have some visibility due to the honeycomb but mine was black and completely solid. My solution? I took some rebar and hammered through all the honeycomb to clear it out and more or less make it a straight pipe. I then welded my "cat" back up. Some don't have the option to weld it themselves but there are many people who weld out of their homes on the side(check craigslist or ask around). Car runs smooth but slightly louder. This will buy one time until you can save up for an expensive cat or a magnaflow. I've given myself almost a 2year window to purchase a new cat. Having been through all of this I am very well informed about catalytic converters in california and other states, this was an ongoing research project for a few weeks so I could get my car fixed and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. I'll also post links to the legislation and smog laws when I get some free time.