Table of Contents

  1. How do I order parts online?
  2. Where can I find my vehicle information?
  3. What is an exhaust system, and what do I need?
  4. How does a catalytic converter work?
  5. What is an Oxygen sensor, how does it work?
  6. When do brake rotors need to be replaced?
  7. How do I submit a question?

How do I order parts online?

As parts and prices are available they will be included in our online catalog.  Until we decide on an e-catalog format we can only accept orders by e-mail, mail, or phone.  For parts not in our catalog feel free to e-mail us with your request.  Please include your e-mail address, physical address, and phone number.  We respond as soon as possible, quite often within a few hours.  For immediate answers, please call.  To help us determine the proper parts for your vehicle please include the year, model, engine size, and date of manufacture.   We have much more in stock than is in our online catalog.  We accept master card, visa, discover, and checks. E-mail to national@cconnect.net and in the subject line type "Order-info".

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Where can I find my vehicle information?

Normally there is a sticker under the hood listing the engine size and year for which the vehicle meets emission standards.  The make (i.e. Ford, Chevy, Honda, etc...) and the model (i.e. Taurus, Camaro, Accord, etc...), are normally found on the trunk, fender, or rear quarter-panel.

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What is an exhaust system, and what do I need?

The exhaust system begins at your engine.  After the gasoline burns in each cylinder it needs to be quieted down, cleaned up, and safely routed out from under the vehicle.  When the exhaust gas leaves the engine it contains carbon monoxide (which is poisonous), unburned fuel, oxides of nitrogen, and other chemicals.

After leaving each of the cylinders it is combined in your exhaust manifold and piped to your catalytic converter.  The catalytic converter, along with the rest of your emission system, cleans up the exhaust gas so that it is less toxic and polluting.  From the converter, it is normally piped to the muffler.

The muffler contains baffles and tubes which make the exhaust quiet.  Some vehicles have more than one muffler, or also have a resonator.  A resonator is normally just a perforated tube, with no baffles, which helps make the vehicle extra quiet, when used with a muffler.

From the muffler, the exhaust gas is piped out from underneath the vehicle, normally out the back, through a pipe called the tailpipe.

Components that have holes or do not function properly must always be replaced.  All other parts should be inspected and evaluated for possible replacement.  Things to look for (besides leaks) are weak areas, pipes that have been damaged or crushed, and interference with other parts of your vehicle.  There is too much to consider to give you a good answer for what you need.  If you are not sure....take your vehicle to a professional muffler shop near you, and ask them to advise you.

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How does a catalytic converter work?

A catalytic converter causes any unburned fuel to "catch fire" and burn.  It does the same with oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide.  It does this through what is called a catalytic reaction.  A catalytic reaction is similar to how a mantle on a propane lantern operates,  the propane burns, but the mantle stays the same and starts working again as soon as more propane and heat are applied.

 

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What is an oxygen sensor, how does it work?

In order to create the most power, and at the same time, reduce emissions, the ratio of gasoline to air must be just right.  Too much air and a lot of oxides of nitrogen are formed, too little air and there will be much carbon monoxide and unburned fuel.  An oxygen sensor measures how much oxygen is present in the exhaust gas so that the vehicles computer can adjust how much gas goes to the engine.  This maintains the optimal ratio of fuel to air for the best engine performance. 

 

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When do brake rotors need to be replaced?

The vehicle manufacture, for each vehicle, determines how thick a brake rotor has to be, in order to be used/reused, and how much warpage (also called lateral runout) and parallelism is allowed.   If your vehicle shakes when you apply your brakes a qualified technician should check your brakes, including a thorough measurement of your rotors to determine if they are causing the vibration, and if they should be machined or replaced.  Also each time your brakes are serviced, the brake rotors should be evaluated, along with all your other brake components.

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How do I submit a question?

To submit a question, e-mail to national@cconnect.net and in the subject line type "Question"

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Revised: May 02, 2002 .