Hey everyone.

I drive an 01 2.8L. I have the CEL on for converters testing bad, so they need to be replaced. Unfortunately for me, I am unemployed now and cant afford the $2500+ for OEM replacement. Even more unfortunately for me, my tags just expired and I cant pass emissions with the CEL on, so I'm running on trip permits now.

So my question is can anyone suggest some places for decent replacement cats? Preferably the bolt on, anything that will have to be welded isnt really the best because I cant find a place around here that will do that for me if I didnt buy the parts from them. But since they're all going to Audi for the parts, I cant afford to buy parts from them.

Also, where online might there be instructions for replacing them? I am fairly confident in my ability to replace them myself, but I would be even more confident if I had some instructions to follow.

Thanks!

 

My dad bought some bolt on pipes with the cats on em from 1-800-vw-parts... They were I wanna say 400 each, maybe a little less... They are still on the family A4 now and workin fine!

 

See what a company called Labree can do for the 2.8. They are out of Cali and make quality **** at decent prices

 

Don't know if you've already done this but I was in the same boat about 2 months ago.

I bought an aftermarket direct bolt on Cat from ebay for about $100. It came from a company in Canada. Much smaller than OEM too so its very easy to put in. Taking the old one out is a PITA because of the bolts on the down pipe.

Here's waht I did

1) Take the airbox out to get at the front flange.
2) Undo the front flange and cut the downpipe off from under the car. (going to need a new downpipe. ~$79 at autozone (you can avoid this if you don't want to spend the money on a new downpipe)
3) I had to cut the old Cat in half to get it out, but you are more than welcome to try and get to the downpipe bolts with a elbow and long extension.
4) New ebay cat was small and fit right in. Bolt on the rear flange first, put on the new O2 sensors than tackle the front flange.

I have no codes or problems with my Cat so far.

 

The OP has a V6, not a 1.8T...

 

I found aftermarket replacement front pipes with the cats from theautopartsshop.com. shipping was cheap pipe fit was good and they were around $269 ea+ shipping $14. I had issues with the manifold studs the whole job was a pia but thats been my expeirence with the a4 in general!