Benefits
of
Installing
A
Remanufactured
Catalytic
Converter
There
are
3
choices
one
can
make
when
buying
a
replacement
catalytic
converter:
1
-
New
Original
Equipment
2
-
Remanufactured
Original
Equipment
3
-
New
Aftermarket.
For
the
average
consumer,
New
Original
Equipment
is
usually
cost
prohibitive,
however,
EPA
policy
allows
for
"aftermarket"
converter
replacements.
There
are
two
categories
which
the
EPA
has
designated
"aftermarket"
catalytic
converters:
1
-
"Remanufactured
Original
Equipment",
and
2
-
"New
Aftermarket".
Both
are
compared
below
to
help
the
installer
and
the
consumer
better
understand
the
benefits
of
installing
a
Remanufactured
Original
Equipment
Catalytic
Converter.
REMANUFACTURED
ORIGINAL
EQUIPMENT
QUALITY:
Stainless
steel
body
and
shields.
These
parts
were
originally
engineered
to
last
the
lifetime
of
the
vehicle.
Precious
metal
content
is
higher
and
deterioration
lower.
SIZE:
Designed
by
vehicle
manufacturers
for
specific
flow,
back-pressure,
and
performance,
normally
much
larger.
TESTING:
Each
part
is
bench-tested
according
to
EPA
criteria
for
quality
standards.
SOUND:
Larger
catalysts
help
quiet
exhaust
noise.
The
original
engine
sound
is
retained.
PERFORMANCE:
Larger
units
engineered
to
perform
in
correct
location
with
highest
performance
and
efficiencies
as
designed.
PRICE:
May
be
higher
because
of
precious
metal
content
and
higher
labor
costs
in
reconditioning
each
unit
depending
on
model.
VEHICLE
RESALE
VALUE:
Keeping
your
vehicle
all
original
has
always
been
to
the
advantage
of
the
vehicle
owner.
WARRANTY:
Not
required
by
EPA
policy,
however,
Bear
River
Converters
warranty
matches
the
new
aftermarkets
assuring
customer
satisfaction.
ENVIRONMENT:
Recycling
is
always
environmentally
friendly.
NEW
AFTERMARKET
EQUIPMENT
QUALITY:
Lower-grade
body,
shields
are
often
galvanized,
which
emit
toxic
fumes
at
high
temperatures.
Precious
metal
content
normally
much
lower
than
original.
SIZE:
Usually
smaller
with
a
universal
manufacturing
and
marketing
logic
of
one
size
fits
most
applications.
TESTING:
Only
sample
units
tested
under
EPA
criteria,
much
lower
than
original.
SOUND:
Typically
smaller
in
catalyst
and
size,
often
loud,
especially
on
larger
engines.
PERFORMANCE:
Smaller
sizes
often
restrict
exhaust
flow.
This
may
effect
performance
with
larger
or
high-performance
engines.
PRICE:
Universal
type
units
(one
size
fits
many)
may
be
much
less.
When
manufactured
with
pipes
as
direct
fit,
they
may
be
more.
VEHICLE
RESALE
VALUE:
Systems
which
obviously
look
altered
may
affect
the
value
of
the
vehicle.
WARRANTY:
EPA
policy
requires
25,000
mile
warranty
on
the
catalyst;
five
years/50,000
miles
on
the
outside
shell
and
pipes.
ENVIRONMENT:
Discourages
recycling
of
original
parts.
If
you
have
any
questions
feel
free
to
e-mail
or
give
us
a
call
at
(877)
452-2287.
Our
knowledgeable
and
friendly
staff
are
waiting
to
hear
from
you.
