Good info from all! I'd like to throw in my 2 cents as a rookie (if I may). I'm a "geek" with some reading info, but little hands-on knowledge. I've recently learned the following. In Texas there's a HUGE loophole in the catalytic converter requirement. From what I read on the state site, all cars require a safety inspection, and some areas have emissions testing also (we do in El Paso). Cars prior to 1984 are emissions exempt, so only the safety check applies. One may be concerned about the visual part of the safety inspection, which includes inspecting the cat. Here's the loophole: during the visual (as it relates to the converter), the tech is looking for it's presence, and leaks (on 84 and newer), and only for leaks (on older than 84) IF A CONVERTER IS PRESENT. If you have an older-than-84 car without a cat, and the pipes are in good shape, the tech CANNOT fail your vehicle. If you have an older car with a leak at the cat, or a 84-newer where the cat is missing or leaking, then you can be failed on the visual safety inspection. Sorry if this is wordy, but I wanted to pass it along. BTW, here's a link to where I got all this info:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/insp...ejectsubmit=Go
Hope this helps for my fellow Texans.