Can I replace my Catalytic Converter with my '88 CRX Si one?

MexiChriSMexiChriS New Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
My car sounds like a muscle car and clunks constantly when pressing the gas pedal lightly around 1.25/2.25 RPMs. Also two other things I've noticed, 1st from the font of the catalytic converter going inside it you can see smoke escaping from it and none from the rear, now as for the 2nd from the rear of the catalytic converter the piping going out from it shifts/moves about an inch whenever I press on the gas, is this common or normal at all? From exhaust manifold (aka headers) down to the front of the catalytic converter nothing moves/shifts, just the rear of it the piping moves/shift. Which is where I've come to believe I might have a hole in the piping and of course my catalytic converter gone bad...

So can anyone tell me if I can replace my 1990 civic wagon's catalytic converter with my 1988 CRX Si one?
Also IF i were to remove my catalytic converter, would there be a gap that I need to fill or can I remove it then assemble whats left of my car back together without it?


I know a lot of parts aren't interchangeable and I need to know this as I'm leaving soon and would like to grab that catalytic converter part from my CRX before I head out. I'm capable of doing anything and everything to my car, trust me on that, just out of place on this one and would like to be pointed in the right direction with any info/tips. Well I hope I've been descriptive enough and clearly understandable, thanks for your time and help given!

Comments

  • leWolfleWolf Senior Wagonist
    The cat should swap fine as long as nobody has hacked at your exhuast. It sounds also like you have a hell of a leak, probaby a clogged cat that blew out your gasket. Also get the hardware and bolts from the crx and use those, your tension springs may have issue's.
  • MexiChriSMexiChriS New Wagonist
    AlexanderleWolf wrote:
    The cat should swap fine as long as nobody has hacked at your exhuast. It sounds also like you have a hell of a leak, probaby a clogged cat that blew out your gasket. Also get the hardware and bolts from the crx and use those, your tension springs may have issue's.
    Okay, I've never messed with this stuff before, but I'm trying to tackle it. You said "hacked" though, my CRX is straight stock as well as my Wagon, I'm the only one messing and tweaking away at 'em so everything's intact OEM as is. Any tips on how to remove?? Haven't been able to find that
  • leWolfleWolf Senior Wagonist
    They are a pain in the donkey to remove. If you want to do it fairly easy you can unbolt the rear of the cat from the crx, then undo the hanger that holds your lower downpipe, followed by your down pipe connection. at that point you should have the whole assemby you can swap into your wagon. that's about the easiest way to do it with the least chance of breaking bolts, no promises though, those bolts get all screwed up all the time from corrosion.
  • MexiChriSMexiChriS New Wagonist
    Thanks for the help, wish i had taken it all off, just lowered it back down of the stands... What you stated is what I was gonna do but wasn't sure, damn it.. Also, my CRX has no motor or headers on, so its just the some 'hand size' straight attachment going to my catalytic converter to the rest of the exhaust setup.
  • MexiChriSMexiChriS New Wagonist
    My exhaust fell off about 1 foot after the catalytic converter when I left Bakersfield. About to get it welded on.

    Because of this and countless nonstop repairs I've done and doing alone, I'm thinking my CRX needs all the love and attention now, so I might end up selling my '90 Civic Wagon since i'm a young adult on my own and funds aren't falling right with everything due to this issue. So please let me know if you or anyone's interested in it, will give more specs/info and all repairs/tune-ups done to it.

    Admins i know this is not a for sale section, sorry, just stating it here before I fully go through with listing it up just seeing what comes up from anyone that reads this post.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Looks like I'm a bit late to offer much help..

    Yes. The cat should swap if both exhaust systems are unmolested, BUT it sounds like your break was inside the heatshield between the cat and resonator. That section is wago-specific.

    At 20plus years, it's to be expected as a maintenance item (to repair or replace exhaust). Just weigh that against what you would spend to buy a newer car.

    Don't give up so easily! The rex is essentially the same car as the wagon. The only reason it isn't giving you any trouble is that it has no engine in.
  • MexiChriSMexiChriS New Wagonist
    Got my exhaust welded on for $55 at El Gato Auto Muffler in Bakersfield, CA they did a really good job (not like it was very hard to do, lol) but their customer service was perfect and fixed it super quick. Heres pics of the damage and a few dark pics of the repair; not much but all I got.
    2011-12-08_Broken_Exhaust1.png
    Here you can see the full exhaust off and my '88 CRX Si rims and cutouts for foglights in bumper...
    2011-12-08_Broken_Exhaust2.png
    Clear view of the broken piping inside surrounded by the heat shield around it
    2011-12-08_Exhaust_Weld1.png
    2011-12-08_Exhaust_Weld2.png
    Sorry the last two pics were to dark, but aye its something, minor update at least...

    bam-bam wrote:
    Looks like I'm a bit late to offer much help..

    Yes. The cat should swap if both exhaust systems are unmolested, BUT it sounds like your break was inside the heatshield between the cat and resonator. That section is wago-specific.

    At 20plus years, it's to be expected as a maintenance item (to repair or replace exhaust). Just weigh that against what you would spend to buy a newer car.

    Don't give up so easily! The rex is essentially the same car as the wagon. The only reason it isn't giving you any trouble is that it has no engine in.
    Aye take a look at the pics, not really sure what you mean by wago specific so take a look and let me know if it's wago specific to what you were referring too, kinda lost.. Would be nice to know so if others have same issues, maybe one might be in luck with this minor source or what one is exactly talking about, if that makes sense...

    Well getting rid of my wagon is a dreading on me, don't really want to as its suppose to be a 'dedication/remembrance' build for my uncle but, now that I'm thinking of it. I'd rather build the rex for him as that car is going nowhere!! Hell I'd like it to be my coffin, if i could, I love my rex... Anyways I'm a really picky driver. The fact that this wagon isn't year specific 1988 that alone bugs me, but what gets to me the most is that its not a Honda Civic Wagon RT4WD that's KILLING ME every time I drive it!!! I mean, I stuck out yeeeears and constant struggles to get my '88 CRX Si completely stock & unmolested. Thinking I gotta aim at that again with what I truly want; to own a stock/unmolested '88 Wagon RTWD. So I might get rid of this wagon, aim at that direction and start saving and sourcing for one again, well maybe...

    I really appreciate your response and help by the way
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