Home       Products / Store       Services       Specials       About Us       Contact       View Cart       Checkout / Account Login       Orders / Shipping

DEC Catalytic Converters

DEC Cat Applications & Pricing

DEC Catalytic Converters & Ultimate Garage

Why DEC - For the most part, I am a strong proponent of using factory or OEM (original equipment manufacture) parts on my cars. However, when it comes to catalytic converters, because of the huge price difference between "genuine" and "aftermarket", many folks will want to consider a quality, non-factory replacement.

Most of the aftermarket catalytic converters I've run across over the years consist of a small (ie, noisy & somewhat restrictive) converter welded to a set of pipes that are bent into shape to fit the cars. In the bending process, the diameter of the pipes changes with each bend. With each external die bend, the pipe can shrink as much as 15%. This will cause restriction in exhaust flow. The preferred way to make the bends is through "mandrel forming" in which a female multiple piece die is inserted into the pipe to prevent compression of the metal at the bend. This is how quality headers are constructed. Most DEC cats have mandrel bends.

The other features to look for in a catalytic converter are heavy gauge construction (14 gauge), proper heat shielding around the converter, and "high flow" design. DEC cats meet these criteria and offer superior flow and lower sound levels than other aftermarket units I've evaluated.

Put aside the cost issue and I'll still take a factory catalytic converter over any aftermarket unit.

 

Why Purchase from Ultimate Garage... I've been selling DEC Catalytic Converters for BMW applications since 1999 and recently expanded my sales to their full product line. Before you purchase from any mailorder company, do some online investigating to see if there have been any complaints logged against the company you're considering (ie, the RippOff Report , Complaints Board & Complaints.com sites are a good place to start).

Tech Support - If you've purchased a DEC catalytic converter from Ultimate Garage and require technical support (eg, "fault code issues", "rattles", "fitment", "meltdown", etc), I'll gladly send you my troubleshooting tips page if you suspect a problem. I can also be reached by phone at 201-262-0412 to personally answer your questions...you won't be directed to a "call center" halfway around the world.

Freight - Most converters are shipped with a flat $10.00 freight charge anywhere in the continental US.

Hardware - Most BMW catalytic converters include the following:

• Catalyzer gaskets between the manifolds & converter

• Copper plated 10mm manifold locknuts

• Muffler seals & gaskets (for converter to muffler attachment....if required)

• Muffler to converter thru-bolts with gr10 flanged locknuts (if required- excludes bolts over 55mm in length, typically used with compression springs)

Additional hardware, oxygen sensors and installation tools are available for BMW and most of the other makes and models (both import and domestic) at discount pricing.

Shipment - most catalytic converters will be drop-shipped from DEC's California warehouse with hardware supplied from Ultimate Garage in NJ. All NJ sales are subject to 7% sales tax.

Warranty - all 49-state DEC catalytic converters come with a 5yr/50,000 mile warranty on the shells & pipes and a 2yr/25,000 mile warranty on the ceramic bricks (an internal rattle or failed emission test usually indicates a problem with the bricks).

DEC's new 50-state converters carry a full 5yr warranty on the complete unit. The customer is responsible for all freight (in-bound and factory return) on warranty replacements. Warranty is for the part replacement only...it does not cover labor or installation hardware! Weld-in warranty replacements are also available to customers who do not want to pull down the complete assembly.

Important - fault code "cat efficiency too low" - DEC requires proof that the oxygen sensors are of reasonable age (ie, under 50,000 miles) and that the vehicle receive a fuel injection cleaning (de-carbonization) before they will even consider replacing a catalytic converter under warranty. A poorly operating or contaminated oxygen sensor can contribute to carbon build-up in the converter(s) and trigger efficiency fault codes.

Emails from Some Unhappy Customers - I've had positive comments from just about everyone regarding the quality of DEC but here are a few people who didn't quite get what they expected. Make sure you read these Customer Comments so you know what to expect from DEC and other mailorder converter purchases.