Catylitic converter replacement

[Baldwin]

My right flange broke on the Cat. The dealer is saying it's a prob with the VehiCROSS and Isuzu is having probs getting new Cats in. I've been waiting 2 weeks for parts. It's got 114500 miles on it. Is the cat supposed to go out that early? Have any of you had it break? What's my best option? Do i keep waiting or take it to another shop and get a generic one installed or take it to a muffler shop to get it welded? Can't goto work unless I keep renting a car and it's getting expensive.

[etlsport]

not sure exactly where yours broke, but when my cats go i fully intend to get aftermaket cats as you can get two aftermakets for less than the cost of one stock

[tom4bren]

I haven't had to change the cat on the VX yet but when I had an Amigo done, I went aftermarket.

[Chopper]

Aftermarket!

[Baldwin]

I called a couple shops and they said there aren't aftermartket cats for the vx. They also said that anything newer than '96 has to have oem cuz of some chip. They did say they might be able to weld it back. Not sure if that's a good option or not. I'm lookin' at $1200 for a new Cat.

[IndianaVX]

baldwin,
i too am looking for both cats, and not having alot of luck.
i did call merlin, at st. charles, and they have a 5 day wait, at (i may have to edit this, going by memory) 780.00 each. i have heard that its illegal to buy them off of a wreck, but i may try to go that route. in my timing belt thread in the trouble shooting, the tech at isuzu had talked about putting a "test tube" in place of the cats, but im not sure how that would effect the 02 sensors, or the rest of the engine. i would think that i would have a constant "check engine light"
if you keep me posted, i will do the same for you
thanking you in advance,
david