I would not just to the conclusion that your 2002 model vehicle, Mitsubishi
Eclipse or any 2002 model vehicle for that matter, needs a new Catalytic
Converter this soon; unless this diagnosis came from a certified and
reputable smog check mechanic. I'd recommend you have a certified smog check
repair station, not a regular mechanic and definitely not a muffler shop,
diagnose your Mitsubishi's high NOx problem before you replace the CAT.
More then likely you will have a lean fuel condition or a plugged up EGR
valve which is causing the high NOx problem rather then a bad CAT. It's too
soon for the CAT to go bad, and if in fact it did go bad this soon there
must be an underlying problem which damaged it. You need to fix that problem
first and then install a new CAT or else you'll end up damaging the new CAT
as well; and failing the next smog check in two years.
If it turns out you do need a CAT, the only legal option I'm afraid is to
install a California legal OEM Catalytic Converter which is usually more
expensive because California emission standards are more stringent than the
EPA's; Federal (Environmental Protection Agency). A non-California certified
Catalytic Converter may not reach certain minimum performance standards
required by California, although it may meet these requirements for the EPA.
