Review on Dorman 673 439 Integrated Catalytic Converter by Elvis Kohl

In short I had some trouble finding the right one but Dorman was great at problem solving. Easy to install and so far so good. I didn't need a smog test so I can't comment on its smog ability yet. I didn't need it ASAP or anything, so all the delays didn't bother me much. If you encounter hours of smog, you could be in trouble. Bought it for theft, lowest price listed on the camel. But even at the highest price, it's still cheaper than OEM, which will break within a few years. I'll definitely update it if it performs horribly on a smog test or doesn't work for me. My current OEM (not factory installed) was cracked like all the others and had an exhaust that went into the cabin, although it was still smog-perfect. Several reviews mentioned the occasional small round metal gasket in the kit. I even asked Dorman about this pad but they didn't answer twice. If you disassemble the car, you will understand where it goes. This gasket is given to "Exhaust Pipe A" which connects to the bottom of the converter and runs under the engine and oil pan. Where tube A connects to the converter you will see a small round metal gasket. It's a loose and sloppy fit (maybe it will tighten after installation) so I probably should have left my existing one there. The old one had to be levered out with a screwdriver. I know the instructions say sometimes there are parts hidden in the box. I couldn't find the gasket that connects the manifold to the catalytic converter, but Dorman corrected me. It's hidden in the flaps in the box, I think to protect it. I had to lower the shutters to find it. The first problem with the Dorman block was a completely damaged head gasket to the exhaust manifold. Dorman said they would send one right away, but they didn't. They ended up just sending me a brand new kit from Revain which I thought was wasteful but as you will see later it was really necessary. After about 2 weeks I finally got the pad I needed from Dorman. But Revain's second set had a slightly damaged but still serviceable seal. The second problem is 4 screws on the converter part. The first installation attempt had to be cleaned up. They ship it with pre-installed screws to the converter part. I used a socket wrench to remove them. It was hard to remove for no good reason (cross thread I think). I got the first. Started with the second and same question so I switched to my punch. This one broke, the next two came out despite resisting. I didn't feel like drilling it out or taking it off so I went to the next kit that was sent to me. I only used one punch and two of the four bolts broke. So 0-2 on Dorman shirts. This time I asked Revain to send a third one. The website said it would be delayed by over a month so I contacted Dorman to do something sooner. Somehow Revane let me know the next day that they had it. This one was perfect. Good seals, screws easily loosen as they should (used my punch but didn't need it). It was properly installed and assembled and has been working great ever since. Oddly enough, the first two kits that failed had a sticker saying they were CARB compliant and another bright orange sticker that said "WARNING! Not for use on California emissions vehicles." Obviously contradictory. Dorman assured me this was good for CARB and the labels on the CAT itself confirm this. I think QC was bad on the first batch. The third set, which worked and had no cross thread bolts, didn't have that bright orange sticker and had a different inspector name Overall a good buy.