Source: 2carpros.com
When it comes to controlling the toxic emissions that cars often emit, there’s one thing you need: a catalytic converter. These handy devices convert toxic gasses found inside internal combustion engines into less toxic, safer gases, helping to save the environment. We’ve tested a fair few over the years, and now we’re ready to share our recommendations with you.
Top 5 Best Catalytic Converter – Reviews:
#1 – Walker EPA Certified Standard Universal Catalytic Converter
Walker 15038 EPA Certified Standard Universal Catalytic Converter
This catalytic converter offers a small size, easy installation, and great compatibility with a large list of vehicles putting it at the top of our list when it comes down to catalytic converters.
Features
- Perfect for usage with Pre-OBDII vehicles from 1995 and onward
- Great durability provided by the steel body, aluminum pipe and heat shields
- Bushings are expandable to accommodate installation requirements
- May require adjustment to universal converter before installation
- Great longevity with a 5-year 50,000-mile structure warranty and 25,000-mile catalytic performance
Review
The Walker EPA Certified Standard Universal Catalytic Converter is a perfect combination of functionality, price, and design. Because this is a 2 stage catalytic converter, it doesn’t matter what direction you choose to install it in.
This is a great advantage for someone who is not particularly experienced when it comes to car parts. The catalytic converter, overall, has a very simple and easy installation process that won’t require more than some extra pipe, and its small size makes it easier than ever to install.
This is a great budget option ( Check current price ) for anyone looking for a great catalytic converter. What makes it even more convenient is its universal compatibility with any Pre-OBDII made after 1995. If this converter is not the perfect fit for your car, you can easily fix that with the help of some extra pipe or tubing from your local auto parts store to create a perfect, durable fit.
This converter has a 2.5″ inlet and outlet so that you can plan ahead for compatibility needs. However, 90% of users have an easy installation and did not require any extra equipment.
Summary
From its surprisingly low price to its breezy installation, there are many reasons to name the Walker EPA Certified Standard Universal Catalytic Converter the best catalytic converter on the market. Universal compatibility, strong, reliable durability, and a small size out the Walker EPA Certified Standard Universal Catalytic Converter above the competition with features unmatched by any other products in the price range.
You are getting a steal of a deal that you won’t likely find in any auto parts store. Overall, this is an amazing product that doesn’t provide any room for complaining as it is a near-flawless device.
#2 – Magnaflow Universal Catalytic Converter (Non CARB compliant)
Magnaflow 99006HM Universal Catalytic Converter (Non CARB compliant)
The Magnaflow Universal Catalytic Converter is the best catalytic converter to increase your car’s performance at a fraction of the cost offered by local auto shops. One of the many benefits of shopping online is the ability to purchase high-end products at a low cost, and that is truly highlighted with this product.
Features
- Crafted from stainless steel for durability
- The design is compliant with federal emissions
- Designed for both diesel and gas usage
- Thorough welding at the seams for a tight and strong bond
Review
The Magnaflow Universal Catalytic Converter is more expensive than the Walker EPA Certified Standard Universal Catalytic Converter, but it is still less expensive than the options at your local shops and offers plenty of great features such as a durable steel construction with welded seams.
When it comes down to durability, nothing beats the Magnaflow Universal Catalytic Converter. With its airtight, durable welded seams and stainless steel design, this catalytic converter exceeds competing converters when it comes to rigidity. Where some converters may offer a smaller size, this converter provides a lifetime-ready design built to last you many years.
Because this catalytic converter is designed so well, it can handle both gas and diesel usage for a truly universal compatibility. While many converters offer a “universal” fit, this product truly provides one of the easiest installations we have ever seen. Magnaflow went all out on their Universal Catalytic Converter and gave us one more reason to love it. This converter features a design that is compliant with federal emissions for the safety of our environment and families. If you truly want to improve the overall performance of your vehicle, consider installing the Magnaflow Universal Catalytic Converter.
Summary
For anyone looking to purchase a catalytic converter for their vehicle and save $$ or more by purchasing online, the Magnaflow Universal Catalytic Converter has got to be your best option as it offers the durability, safety features, and ease of use that users crave. Don’t believe us? See for yourself what other users have to say about it and how they are rating it by following our link. We are certain that you will be just as satisfied with this product as we are.
#3 – Flowmaster Series 2.5″ Inlet/Outlet Universal Catalytic Converter
Eastern Manufacturing 70316 Catalytic Converter (Non-CARB Compliant)
The Flowmaster Universal Catalytic Converter is the best catalytic converter for turning off your “MIL” light and keeping it off. It is designed with great compatibility, durability, and performance in mind.
Features
- Provides great flow characteristics
- Designed to turn off the “MIL” light
- Perfect for a large variety of uses
- Features a durable steel design and construction
- Non CARB compliant (not for sale in California)
Review
While every individual experiences different things with various car parts, our experience with the Flowmaster Universal Catalytic Converter has been superb. This is a very lightweight catalytic converter making it perfect for the do-it-yourself individuals who would prefer to install it on their own rather than paying someone else to do it and saving money in the process.
The fact that it is so small means that you don’t have to worry about damaging it when driving over speed bumps or any similar obstruction leading to any overall longer lifespan of the product giving you a better bang for your buck.
This converter is fairly compatible with a lot of vehicles because it perfectly fits 2.5-inch mufflers. If you experience any compatibility issues, which is unlikely, it should be easy to handle with some extra tubing or pipe. Even more, the stainless steel construction has convinced us that it will well outlast any car we put it in. This is a solid piece of equipment that is sure to easily pass any inspection without raising any suspicion around its quality.
The only downside we could come up with for this catalytic converter is the fact that it, like many others, is not CARB compliant, and therefore, cannot be sold in the state of California. For the majority of users, this will not be an issue, and we have several other converters on this list that are CARB compliant.
Summary
The Flowmaster Universal Catalytic Converter is a solid performing piece of equipment perfect for anyone looking to increase the performance of their vehicle. This is done with a great deal of compatibility, durability, and ease of use offered at a price untouched by competing catalytic converters making it a great buy.
Overall, this is one of our highest performing catalytic converters. However, it is not the greatest budget option available. If you truly want to get the cheapest converter without sacrificing quality, go with the Walker EPA Certified Standard Universal Catalytic Converter.
#4 – Flowmaster Series 3″ Inlet/Outlet Universal Catalytic Converter
Flowmaster 2230130 223 Series 3″ Inlet/Outlet Universal Catalytic Converter
Similar to the Flowmaster Series 2.5” catalytic converter, the Flowmaster 3” catalytic convert offers many of the same features
Features
- Provides stellar flow characteristics
- Weighs only 2.4 pounds
- Designed for turning off irritating maintenance lights
- Built from stainless steel for rigidity
- Great for a large variety of uses
- Not CARB compliant
Review
The Flowmaster 3” Universal Catalytic Convert offers an easy way to improve your car or truck performance, a lightweight durability, and great value for your money. This is one of the best catalytic converters ( Check current price ) for anyone looking for a quality product on a budget.
This converter is designed to improve your overall vehicle’s performance while turning off annoying maintenance lights on the dashboard of your car and keeping them off for good.
Also, this is a lightweight, yet durable catalytic converter compared to competitors. Coming in at only 2.4 pounds, this catalytic converter is fairly light for a 3-inch converter.
It is also one of the smallest 3-inch catalytic converters available meaning it won’t ever break when going over speed bumps or rocky terrain. This is a great feature to have for anyone who enjoys off-road driving or being adventurous! Anyone looking for a 3” catalytic converter would fall in love with this product, as many have.
One downfall of this product is the fact that it is a non CARB compliant catalytic converter and is not available for sale in California. Due to the small size of this converter, it is very easy to install and offers an immense amount of compatibility. We couldn’t imagine it taking much more than a few pipe or tube adjustments to fit this converter into any car.
Summary
The Flowmaster 3” Universal Catalytic Convert is one of the most compact 3-inch converters giving it the upper hand over other catalytic converters. The installations process was surprisingly easy and provided a tight, easy fit. We have faith in this catalytic converter and its ability to perform due to our own experiences with it and the reviews of hundreds of others online ( See amazon customers reviews ). You can learn more about this catalytic converter and what makes it the best 3-inch catalytic converter by following our link and reading some of the customer reviews. Overall, this is a solid, durable, easy to use catalytic converter.
#5 – Walker Direct Fit Catalytic Converter
Walker 16370 Direct Fit Catalytic Converter
The Walker Direct fit Catalytic Converter is our most expensive, and most powerful, catalytic converter yet making it the best catalytic converter of all time
Features
- Perfect compatibility with OBDII vehicles (1996 or newer)
- Designed to fit, flange to flange, directly to existing exhausts
- High-end precious metal load and construction alongside a high-end washcoat
- Built from stainless steel with an aluminized body and heat shield for optimal durability
- Flangers, hangers, and brackets are thick with an OE style of great strength
Review
The Walker Direct Fit Catalytic Converter is our most expensive catalytic converter, and for good cause. This is the most durable, easiest to install, and overall highest quality catalytic converter we could find anywhere. This converter was designed to perfectly fit any OBDII vehicles without help from any extra tubing, pipes, or brackets. The perfect end to end fit provided by this converter makes it the easiest to install without extra help or tools.
Not only is it exceedingly easy to install, but this converter also offers one of the most permanent and durable installations. In fact, the entire converter offers a great durability unmatched by any other converters we could find. This is accomplished using a flawlessly designed stainless steel construction with aluminized steel where extra support and strength is needed around the heat shield and body.
Users all over the country have been using this product to enhance the performance of their vehicles substantially, and the best part is that they don’t need much knowledge or tools to do it. We recommend taking a look at what these users have to say about it, as they have a lot of positive things to say so that you know for sure what you are getting into.
Summary
While it is true that the Walker Direct fit Catalytic Converter is our most expensive catalytic converter ( Check current price ), it is truly justified by the exceptional quality provided. This catalytic converter offers the easiest installation, greatest durability, and the greatest performance enhancement that we have ever seen from a catalytic converter.
For an easy, flawless installation with a perfect fit, a durability that will outlast the life of your car easily, a greatly improved overall vehicle performance and a low price compared to the quality offered, you can’t go wrong with this catalytic converter.
