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I'm trying to replace the catalytic converter in my 98 Ford Escort at as little of a cost to myself and am having difficulty finding the appropriate one as well as a decent manufacturer/retailer online. So here is all I know so far:

The engine has "Split Port Induction 2000" embossed on it so I'm taking that to be a 2.0 L SOHC split port induction since it's a sedan and that's what I took from reading the following page; it's a page from a different online forum:

http://forums.motivemag.com/zerothread?id=4178821

Now, I know I don't want to do any welding so it's a Direct Fit version I want. Correct? The only other big thing that stands in my way is that apparently the vehicle conforms to US and California standards even though it's a 98 and in Massachusetts... do I have to stay conformed and stick with a California acceptable Converter? Where do I go for one if that's the case and could anyone recommend a specific type? I saw types that included MagnaFlow and Eastern, etc. but am still at a bit of a loss. Well, thanks for reading this if anything else.



Oh yeah, and one other thing. I saw that at least some models seem to have an O2 sensor that comes with the converter; is that typical?



I'm grateful to any help that comes my way    

I'm working on a 97 with a converter problem.  Maybe we can compare notes.  Good Luck

Phil  

So guys any luck, i have the same issue
dan  

just curious... you have not mentioned whats wrong with your cats... only that they need to be replaced...

are they clogged???? take them loose.. use an air hose to blow backwards through them....  leaf blower ... shop vacuum ...  sometimes will blow any flakes off the front of the converter honeycomb..

is your secondary oxygen sensors setting trouble codes....???????/   perhaps its not the converter...

these motors had problems with blocked EGR passages... causing melted pistons... then bits going through the motor damaging the cylinder head....

scan for trouble codes...     follow the trouble code charts.. some of them 4 pages long...  verify everything before going on to the next step.

bring the engine up to 2500 rpms...    have somebody with a high temp infrared temp gun to measure the inlet and out let temps of the converter...  it should be 100F hotter coming out...  if it is more than that .. you might have fuel control problems...  if you have less...   the converter might be damaged...

there are replacements available for many models.. but OBD2 converters here in california need to be really quality versions...