I have a 99 civic dx hatch and have put up a few posts concerning headers and catalytic converters. As all my fellow hatch or dx owners know, the catalytic converter is built into the header for our engine (d16y7). If you replace the header with an aftermarket one, you lose the catalytic converter which will mean that you would not be CARB legal. I have been searching for a bolt-on catalytic converter for my car because I really wanted to get an aftermarket header. I think I may have found a solution: I found that Ractive (Toucan Industries) makes a bolt-on catalytic converter for hatchbacks (or at least that's what the website says). I'll try to see if I can confirm that it bolts-on directly (no cutting or welding or modifications). I was just wondering if anyone else has any info or can confirm any of this for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

http://www.toucanindustries.com/

I have a 96 civic cx and I always thought the cat was part of the resonator on the exhaust. That hump in the pipe.

i just bought an OBX 4-2-1 stainless steel 2 piece header($171) and a high flow catalytic converter($69) from http://www.massivemotorsports.com and i have a d16y8 engine(don't know why, I've got an EX) and they are both bolt ons

Thanks for the tip Sagedismal! I saw that they have a listing for 96-98 hatchbacks so I'm gonna check it out. I hope it's a direct bolt-on so I dont have to relocate or mess with my oxygen sensors. Anyone else have any information?!

When you replace the oem for aftermarket use the same set up as the ex model. The headers, three way catalytic, and your modified exhaust. Remember your engine is not producing too much power you dont want to have a big hi flow cat. A Cat similiar to that of the ex civic. You will get the extra power and speed but you want it to become hot enough that it will pass smog. When it time to for smog make sure its as stock as possible. Like wires, plugs, intake and using a hotter thermostat helps burn off some that extra polluters.

but what if in my state i don't have to do a smog test. alot of the states around here don't have smog testing so it doen't really matter what you do as long as it is street legal.