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paulb · Alfasud Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Twickenham

Just had it confirmed that the (middle) Cat section on my 1.7 16v Series 3 has to be replaced. Does anyone know where to get one? EB Spares have just told me I need to get one via a Main Stealer, which fills me (and my wallet) with dread.
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paulb

john 33_16v · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:42 am Post subject:

Hi,

Genuine if still available is about £600!

Try www.buypartsby.co.uk or google search, as there are cheaper ones out there £200 ish

There was a genuine one on Ebay a few months ago which i bowed out the bidding on at £120.

If it's just rotten at the join with the back box you can 'cut and shut' in new pipe (weld or clamps), but need someone to make the bend. I had a bit made up a few years back www.topgear.co.uk ( ithink), before i was fortunate to get a nearly new genuine one.

Front section (crossover manifold) is usually ok, but i have an ok spare if you need one.

New back box should be no problem, and worth a propper (descam?) jobby.

Cheers,

John
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

Rich B · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: cats

try www.sportcats.co.uk - standard cat £219, stainless free flowing sport cat £319.

Hope that helps

lee16v · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

If it's just the cat that needs replacing (for emissions) Then i got a universal cat for £60 and welded it in place. I've now made a complete stainless middle section for it too.

If you need the whole section due to rot, look into having it made up by someone....it may cost a lot less than OE

paulb · Alfasud Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Twickenham

Guys,

Thanks for all the advice. I've just taken delivery of the middle section inc. Cat and should have it fitted later today. Bought from www.cats4less.co.uk for £150. Not quite the same as the one on my car, but has all the fixings in the right places, with the CAT being a different shape to the original.

The guy who took the order started by sending a diagram of what he thought was the right part. I concluded it was wrong and sent photo's of my system and we had a chat whilst looking at other middle sections on their site. We agreed on the one I've got and very reasonably, they've agreed to pay for it's return and give me a full refund if it doesn't fit.

I'll report back with further info.
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paulb

paulb · Alfasud Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Twickenham

Well, the middle sections fitted. Not quite perfect it has to be said, but certainly not worth worrying about given that supply and fit has come to just £200.

It seems the problems with non-Alfa systems is that they are not as precisely made so they tend to 'twist' when they are fixed to the mountings. The one I got only twisted slightly when fitted and so all the 'hangers' work bar one, around the fuel tank. If the rubber had been forced it would have pulled the exhaust against the tank, so I accepted longer, plastic clips instead of the original rubber.

I've given it a good run around and nothing knocks, so I hope I'll have a good few years from this new section.

Thanks again to all those who provided advice/help.
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paulb

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

have a look at my original post re what cat
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2806&highlight=
last link now refers to cats (as in meow) so ignore Laughing

& the last 2 are blank so iv searched that site again and found
http://www.cats4less.co.uk/search_results.php?manufacturer=1&model=6&engine=8&product_type=2&searchtype=simple&startpos=10&max=10&startpos=0&max=10
http://www.cats4less.co.uk/search_results.php?manufacturer=1&model=6&engine=8&product_type=2&searchtype=simple&startpos=0&max=10&startpos=10&max=10
Now im confused, they have the same part number, (90597-OL & 90366-OL) for 8V,16v, ie and all go up to 1993. I know for a fact that the 8v ie have a different flange (he he) connector and are smaller in diameter to the larger 16v. they cost /
http://www.cats4less.co.uk/product_details.php?id=67654&system_ref=1&manufacturer=1&model=6&engine=8&product_type=2&searchtype=simple&startpos=0&max=10 £90.72 (exc delivery & vat)
http://www.cats4less.co.uk/product_details.php?id=67652&system_ref=1&manufacturer=1&model=6&engine=8&product_type=2&searchtype=simple&startpos=0&max=10 £90.72 (exc delivery & vat)
http://www.cats4less.co.uk/product_details.php?id=67491&system_ref=1&manufacturer=1&model=6&engine=8&product_type=2&searchtype=simple&startpos=0&max=10 £114.60 (exc delivery & vat)

Now on my first links their
https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.uk/cat_details.php?recordID=3 £135.62 + vat
https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.uk/catalytic_details.php?recordID=3 £204.82 + vat
What gives?
Paulb, which one did you get? what part number?
My cat started to blow after the cat and has already been welded, so i need to buy a new one. Can anyone find a cheaper price?
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

paulb · Alfasud Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Twickenham

Al,

The part number was 90366. To be fair, I spoke to them rather than ordering through the web site, 'cause on the web site, there seems to be dozens of systems which all look the same!

When I came to get the part fitted (by Boxer Cars), I was told that often non manufacturer exhausts are made up with a mass produced CAT in the centre and sections of pipe either end made up to 'follow the lines' of the original part.

When I first spoke to CATS4LESS, they suggested a part that had fixings that looked nothing like those on the original system on my car. Over the phone, we then compared their stock listings with photo's I'd taken of my exhaust and we agreed 90366 looked a likely match - particularly where the fixing mounts were concerned. As this was done with their full consultation, they agreed to a full, paid for return, and a refund if it wasn't right.

Boxer Cars laid the new part out beside the old system before concluding it looked right and they got on with fitting. The fixing at the front end, where the CAT section fits to the front pipe seems to govern the whole fit. On mine, when this fix was made there was a very slight 'twist' to the angle of the system, which (obviously) was 'magnified further down the pipe, resulting in the final fixing, by the fuel tank, being out. It was a case that if it was fixed to the hanger using the existing rubber 'loop', the exhaust would knock against the tank, or use longer plastic clips instead of the rubber to hold the section onto the hanger.

I (obviously) opted for the plastic clip and while it's not perfect, my view is that it's a small compromise. The whole thing including delivery cost me £146 + the cost of Boxer Cars fitting it.

Boxer Cars used to be Alfa specialists, but now cater more for BM's/Mercs and they have long stopped using non manufacturer parts because of the inconsistancies between one after market manufacturer and another. This is all well and good if you are happy to part with £400 + the cost of fitting. If you are, then the Alfa part No. is 60590160 and they are still available in the UK.
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paulb

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

Thanks Paulp
Well i have decided to get a sports cat (i think), im still trying to convince myself Laughing

I have wanted to get one in the past and now as mine is beyond repair, i might aswell Rolling Eyes

Also still waiting to hear from RichB RE: his csc crossover manifold
RE: part number, tell me about it, how many different ones with same number??
What was the problem with yours? emmissions or corroded?
My alfa garrage said that the actual cat part never fails on original alfa cats and what usually goes is the pipe work or lambda sensor. Now what worries me is that new ones are only guaranteed for 3 or 2 years (sports/normal)
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Rich B · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:47 am Post subject:

Sorry Al - I'm still waiting for my manifold - 8 months and counting!!!! (its supposedly been made and is sitting in a pallet in Italy awaiting shipment - they need the pallet to be full before they ship it to keep costs down, haven't heard anything for about 7 weeks - as soon as I hear something I'll let you know, the supplier in the UK, Gazzella, aren't easy to get hold of!)

Let me know how the sport cat goes, I'm interested in one too - I think the one from catsforless is about £100 cheaper than the one from sportcats.co.uk

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

oops double post, please delete as i cant
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

Paulb
I just spoke to a very nice man at www.cats4less.co.uk called Terry, who did it for £300 all in + fitting kit, should be here tuesday or wednesday.

For anyone else interested in sports cat the part number is 40366.

Rich B
I want to get a csc crossover manifold but they are now going for £250+vat according to 01530414310 torino auto spares, who are the uk suppliers for CSC, he said an increase of up to 50% and a lot of people are humming and haring about their orders. He suggested http://www.supersprint.com/homeuk.htm but 33's arent listed
http://www.csc-marmitte.it/eng/catalizzatori.asp
http://www.csc-marmitte.it/eng/Silenziatori.asp
Where you originally ordered it from http://www.gazzella.cc/cart.php?target=category&action=view&category_id=1284 are still listing them at £189 but i dont want to wait for 8 months
Help in locating CSC crosover manifold needed.
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Rich B · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:29 pm Post subject:

Hi Al

Yep, price from Gazzella was £189 but that's plus VAT so the all in price including delivery was £240. The prices Gazzella quote are much cheaper than Torino - I was quoted about £220+Vat for a backbox from Torino but Gazzella quote £89 I think (Getting the parts from them is another matter!!!)

I spoke to the bloke at Gazzella a few months ago and he said that CSC were really disorganised and don't have a computer stock system (which isn't surprising for an Italian company!!) He also said that CSC tend to wait for a few orders before they tool up to make a particular system. I'm beginning to get a bit concerned about my order but hope to speak to Gazzella this week and I'll keep you posted.

When I spoke to Torino ages ago they said that a manifold was not available for the 33!!!

Have you ordered a sport cat then?? Let me know if you notice a difference

Cheers

Rich

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

thanks rich, i wait with baited breath.
Yup I've ordered a sports cat, which I should get tuesday or wed, I need it now! I've just looked and mine has a crack half way around now and sounds real loud, so i cant help but drive full throttle Embarassed

All i will need then is a louder/freeflowing backbox, but i will want that out of stainless steel.
So looks like im in for fun when i want to get my crossover Sad

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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Rich B · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:20 pm Post subject:

Cool, let me know how you get on with the cat.

If you really want the CSC manifold, it's probably best if you order it direct from them (I spoke to them on the phone and they said its possible - I'd already paid for mine from Gazzella at that time though)

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

I got a call from torino auto spares, re csc cat, its £270+vat, its not made of stainless steel.
Manifold would be cheaper from gazzella as £250+vat is like wow! Doh! i should have called them when i got back from work. Maybe gazella could put another one on for me??
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203