Choosing a Catalytic Converter by Application

Technical Bulletin

SUBJECT/Summary: Effective January 1, 2009, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued new rules regarding the manufacture, sale and installation of new aftermarket catalytic converters in California; the new law affects the other 49 states.

PROBLEM: In newer vehicles, the On Board Diagnostic system (OBD) monitors the exhaust and alerts the owner when there is a problem with the catalytic converter. At the same time, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are being required to comply with more stringent emission standards. Therefore, all-purpose converters are unlikely to apply. Aftermarket converters now must be warranted for 50,000 miles and be OBD II compatible. The efficiency and oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of new catalytic converters are now closely scrutinized.

SOLUTION: It is important that new aftermarket catalytic converters be manufactured not only for year, make and model, but also that they be classified by Engine Family Number (EFN). Only vehicle-specific converters should be installed in vehicles with OBD II systems.