BeavermanA

iTrader: (1)

Alright, been working two jobs the past couple months and have ~$1,500 I'm willing to put into the car. I need to fix a couple things first though.
Passenger side cat is broken and I'd like to replace it, but keep it CA street legal. Are the high-flow cats worth it, and do they pass smog? Had some problems with the electrical last year, and ended up having to get the PCM replaced. Ever since all that crap I've been getting 10-13 mpg, regardless of how I drive or city/highway. This is obviously crap, think it needs a tune and replacement of stuff like the o2 sensors maybe.
So basically my goals are to replace the whole exhaust back, starting with the cats. Then get a decent tune to hopefully increase mpg a little and add some power at the same time. Also get the plugs/wires replaced too.
Is this doable with my budget or do I need to save more? What are some good performance shops around SoCal(the closer to Riverside the better) that aren't too expensive?
I have no tools and a very limited knowledge of how to work on the car, so installing myself is pretty much out of the picture unfortunately, unless someone here was willing to help me for a reasonable price.

Intense

iTrader: (8)

Cats should be under chevy warranty still. I beleive its 8 years 80,000 miles.

Long Beach

iTrader: (51)

Yes they are under warranty still and it was extended to 120000 miles. Take them in for replacement. I got a letter from gm stating this, not sure if you need the letter to get the extended warranty or not. good luck

BeavermanA

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I got that, but I've been in an accident and the car was a salvage before I got it, so I'm pretty sure they aren't going to honor it. The PCM was under warranty too, but they said no. Plus it has a muffler and tips, that probably voids it too.

Black02LS1

iTrader: (5)

I doubt that would void it, seeing thats what the SS has. But yea you might want to save more. o2 sensors are like $80 a piece, full exhaust is about $1k alone to have it done, with stock cats, plugs varry depending on brand and type. Plus if you are going to have a shop do all of this, then yea you need more like $3k or more. most of the work you are talking about doing isnt that hard, just time comsuming...my advice is to use the money to get it running perfect, that may give you the power increase to apease your speed appitite for now.

BigDaddyBry

iTrader: (15)

You can get brand new Bosch O2s from Kragens for ~$130 for the pair.

I don't think the salvage title will void the federal emissions warranty on your cats.

02NBMWS6

iTrader: (22)

3k ?

130 for o2s.
600 for a NICE catback and tips
new cats should be less than 200

that leaves 500+ dollars for a tune. your car will be running stronger, getting more mpg, and have cool tips when youre done

Juiced

iTrader: (2)

You should be able to get it done for 1500 no problem, cats might be a bit more than 200, what type of exhaust are you looking for, I know of a spintech and magnaflow exhaust available cheap. all yo would be is new tips for the spintech if you don't like how they look.

Intense

iTrader: (8)

The cats shouldnt be void unless they were damaged during the accident. If they werent you will be fine. Also depends what was "salavged" whole engine or soemthing that has to do with cats you might be screwed hope this helps ya

Datzneat

iTrader: (4)

High flow cats are legal. At least in cali, and we have it the worst i think.

Slammed99s10

iTrader: (11)

Had both of my cat's replaced by the dealer about a year ago under warranty with zero problems (along with my water pump & fuel pump). Though my car has a clean & no accident title, it shouldn't matter at all. Smog equipment are not only a state but federally mandated items regardless, some dealers might give you **** on warranty issues but it'd be a good idea to ask the service manager first before handing over your keys.

Juiced

iTrader: (2)

aftermarket cats are only legal on obd1 cars.

On OBD2 cars they have to be replaced with OEM parts.

ls1mastermind

instead of doing a full exhaust do a cut off...buy the o2 at autozone life time warranty.....check dealer for cat warranty.....and buy a lid,plugs,wires,and have it tuned......buy your self some tools doing it your self should save a lot of money.....

BeavermanA

iTrader: (1)

Damnit, well I called the Chevy dealer. They said they'd charge me $90 to have it looked at, and if it was deemed under warranty it would be refunded and fixed for free. I'm very confident they will deny my warranty after talking to them, so I'm not even going to waste my money until I get a better idea of everything that needs fixing.
Anyone have any insight as to why my gas mileage is so poor and what could be done to fix it? All maintenance has been kept up to date. Fuel filter replaced and injectors cleaned recently. Can a broken cat cause such a drop in mpg? o2 sensors? Running too rich? What else?
I just don't know wtf, before the PCM replacement/accident, got 18/26+ mpg. Now it gets 13 mpg if I'm lucky. The power is there, still beat all the cars I should, but the gas is just killing me, don't even want to drive, so I have to get this fixed before I do some performance mods.

02NBMWS6

iTrader: (22)

id check the o2 sensors first. they can really kill mpg when they go out