Hi everyone , I have a CEL on and I was told after a diagnostic that it was my catalytic converter,
I was also told that there were two of them an uppre and lower, 1) Is this true? 2) does anyone have a similar experience, and can you tell me what would be the most cost effective way to remedy this problem. Any help would be appreciated maybe a site where I can get a good deal on a new converter THANKS!!!!

 

most cars nowaday have 2 cats...
one RIGHT at the headers, and the second a bit more down the line...

and it cost me $200 to replace my cat on my civic a while back....

 

Yes, it is true that your Mazda (and most other cars) have two cats. My converters are fried which has subsequently lead to the impending demise of my '97 Protege'. As it turns out, catalytic convetersusualy do not fail on thier own. Have you had a compression check lately? My car has a hole in one of the cylinders which is causing a fuel/air mixture that is too rich. This creates excess heat which destroys the catalysts and results in a failed converter. So for me, simply replacing the cat is not really the answer. It might make it past emmissions, but the engine is shot (although the car still runs). I would need to do an engine swap (which someone else on this board had inqured about and now has me thinking...)!

 

Having one or two converter depends upon which engine you have biggablunts. For 1997 Protege, the 1.6 L engine has a front warm up converter just after the exhaust manifold. OE prices for this manifold range from $269-$288 depending upon being federal or california emmission level.
The 1.8 L engine only has one catalytic converter midway down in the exhuast system and is a bit more expensive at $452. Some good discount prices at onlinemazdaparts.com for both of these.
Make sure engine is running good with no missfire as 93greenstrat pointed outor will just kill the new one in sort order.