Additional CARB converter information: CARB installation requirements and Engine Family Number (EFN) location.




CALIFORNIA INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

Effective January 1, 2009, new aftermarket catalytic converters sold or installed in California must be designed to meet the following requirements:

Aftermarket converters are required to last for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Aftermarket converters for newer vehicles must be compatible with OBD II catalyst monitors. This includes making sure converters won't cause false catalyst fault codes, while also making sure that the OBD II system will correctly set a catalyst fault code if the aftermarket converter fails.

The warranty must be for five years/50, 000 miles and cover the cost of parts and labor if a replacement is needed. Determining the proper replacement converter for a particular vehicle takes a little research. This catalog will specifically indicate which converter models are legal for use in California and which exact vehicle models they may be installed on.

Installer's Checklist for New Aftermarket Catalytic Converters

1. The vehicle is specifically included in the application list for the catalytic converter and the converter is legal for use in California.
2. The vehicle's warranty for the OE converter has expired. Warranties range from 7 years/70,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles. Consult the owner's manual.
3. The installer has confirmed the need for a replacement catalytic converter. If the OEM converter is still present, a diagnosis that it is malfunctioning is required.
4. The replacement converter will be installed in the same location as the OE converter (the front face location will be within three inches compared to the OE).
5. All oxygen sensors will remain installed in their OE locations(s).
6. The catalytic converter will be installed on a "one-for-one" basis (a new converter is installed for each OE converter being replaced). Decreasing or increasing the number of catalytic converters (compared to the OE configuration) is prohibited.
7. Warranty Card - Installer must:
   (a) Fill out the warranty card
   (b) Obtain the customer's signature on the card
   (c) Give the original to customer
   (d) Attach a copy to the original repair invoice
   (e) Return the pre-paid postage copy of the warranty card to the catalytic converter manufacturer.
8. The installer must file and maintain a copy of all documentation for a period of at least four years from the date of installation.

ATTENTION: It is illegal to install a catalytic converter based solely on physical shape, size, configuration, or pipe diameter. See the application section of the Walker converter catalog for specific part numbers for a specific vehicle.


Search California Air Resource Board's Aftermarket Converter Database By Vehicle or By Executive Order Number:

https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/PartsSearchTool/CatalystSearchTool.aspx


IMPORTANT — ENGINE FAMILY NUMBER

In order to determine which catalytic converter to use on a vehicle application, it may be necessary to determine the specific vehicle emission system that was installed by the Original Equipment Manufacturer. This information is included on the Vehicle Emission Control Information label required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (see examples below). This label is located in the engine compartment in a visible position on the hood underside, shock tower, radiator support, fan shroud, or firewall. The label will provide the Emission Family Number (EFN, also known as the Engine Family code or Test Group Number) and other important emission specifications. All OBDII applications in this catalog refer to the EFN. Be sure to verify your EFN in order to avoid misapplication of the catalytic converters in this catalog. If the label is missing, it will be necessary to contact the OE dealer for the information, or to order a new Emission Control Information Label.