Catalytic Convert Confusion/Civic VX

[Davo53209@yahoo.com]

Today, I'd discovered that I had a cracked exhaust manifold when I'd decided to remove the heat shield. Bummed as I was, it then occurred to me that this was probably the reason why I was getting poor gas mileage (i.e. about 37ish mpg) on my 94 Civic VX.

As I was contemplating how I was going to deal with 20yrs. of corrosion on the bolts, it then occurred to me that instead of having what would ordinarily appear to be a catalytic converter, I instead have an exhaust manifold that connects to two down pipes. Additionally, the 02 sensor threads directly into the manifold as illustrated in this picture.

My question to the forum is if whether or not, the catalytic converter is somehow integrated into the exhaust manifold.

[Davo53209@yahoo.com]

Can anyone seem to identify what it is that I have? I find any examples of this over the internet that provides any explanation.

[California98Civic]

That's not right. You seem to have a car that had its CAT deleted at some point.

Here is the image that comes up from Majestic Honda when I look up the exhaust system for Civic VX for 1994 (great site by the way):


And here is an image from Majestic of the exhaust manifold:


Compare your set up:

[Davo53209@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

That's not right. You seem to have a car that had its CAT deleted at some point.

Here is the image that comes up from Majestic Honda when I look up the exhaust system for Civic VX for 1994 (great site by the way):


And here is an image from Majestic of the exhaust manifold:

That's just the same parts diagram that I kept running into which added to my confusion. Okay then, it looks like I may have to bite the bullet.

I seem to be able to get the stock exhaust manifold; but the catalytic converter itself is proving difficult to find. If not from Majestic Honda, are there any aftermarket equivalents that will help me to achieve the same gas mileage?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Davo53209@yahoo.com

If not from Majestic Honda, are there any aftermarket equivalents that will help me to achieve the same gas mileage?

Not that I know of. Check car-part.com. And on my car's garage site here at EM I list the most commonly recommended sites for parts by guys here. They're at the start of my "planned mods" section. I have seen VX owners running into this problem quite a bit.

[Davo53209@yahoo.com]

Thanks for the lead, I was fortunate enough to find the exhaust manifold at Car-part.com, however they don't seem to list the catalytic converter on their site. That's one part down.

[Davo53209@yahoo.com]

It looks like I may have to recant. The part that I had found from a Car-part.com comes from a Civic CX. I'm not certain if that matters. Fuel efficient wise, are they interchangeable?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Davo53209@yahoo.com

It looks like I may have to recant. The part that I had found from a Car-part.com comes from a Civic CX. I'm not certain if that matters. Fuel efficient wise, are they interchangeable?

I'd check the Majestic Honda site and compare their images of the 1992-1995 CX and the VX manifolds and CATs. But my gut tells me they are different. The VX manifold is part of the car's "magic mileage" design (i.e. "lean burn") as I understand it.

james

[Cobb]

Interesting tri-y exhaust manifold or should I say 4 to 2 to 1.

My car has no header, just an oval opening to the cat 1, then cat 2 is around the corner.

[Davo53209@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Interesting tri-y exhaust manifold or should I say 4 to 2 to 1.

My car has no header, just an oval opening to the cat 1, then cat 2 is around the corner.

Excellent, we've finally been able to identify the setup that I have on my car. Now, the next question is whether or not it's stock, or if it's beneficial to fuel economy.