If catalytic converters all do the same thing, why aren’t they all roughly the same price?
“There is a reason for the difference in price,” said Rakowski. “Maybe the dealership quoted someone $2,000 but the exhaust place said they would do it for $300. So now the consumer thinks they’re getting screwed and overpaying by $1700.”
“It’s not about someone wanting to make an additional $1700 off you. What they don’t understand is, if the inside of a catalytic converter got cut open, the precious metals in the cheap one will cover maybe 10 square feet, while the more expensive one will cover 60 square feet.” The massive price discrepancy is explained by what sounds like a motivational quote: “It’s what’s inside that makes the difference.”
You can’t see the inside, but there are a few tips to score a quality cat. You will want a catalytic converter from a reputable brand. If you don’t know exhaust manufacturers offhand, you can check reviews online, or look at their warranty. Emissions equipment has a federally mandated warranty, so don’t purchase one from a janky website offering $50 cats, because it’ll lack the warranty and the required metals.
Rakowski said that in addition to the proper amount of the precious metals, the higher price is also due to superior and more durable construction techniques, meaning the part will last for many years on the road. It’s also due to newer, reduced-emissions designs incorporating the catalytic converter into the exhaust manifold. Rakowski said he has seen examples where the budget converters available at cheapo exhaust shops don’t even last a month.
“The customer might still have a check engine light if they put a crap converter on,” he said. “It’s a shame, but that’s what happens when people only look at dollars instead of what is right for their car.”
HOW LONG DOES A CATALYTIC CONVERTER LAST?
The good news here is that barring any other vehicle problems, the catalytic converter should last a long time. Since it has no moving parts, it can last over a decade if you keep up with scheduled engine maintenance.
However, they can be quickly killed if you ignore the warning signs. A check engine light or engine misfires could mean your engine is dumping unburned fuel into the exhaust system, killing the converter
“Two things can easily kill that catalytic converter: coolant and fuel.” Those could be from a failed head gasket, or old fuel injectors, spark plugs or even weak ignition coils, which is why he recommends taking it to a shop. “Other than that, those things should last a very long time.”