Catalytic Converter expertise appreciated

Hello All,

This is my first time posting and joining and this forum looks like an awesome resource. First of all, I have a 2002 Ext Cab Tacoma 4wd, with the 2.7L, 5spd and I love it. It's awesome. So here is my question.

Unfortunately, my catalytic converter is bad. I believe my truck has 2 catalytic converters one right after the headers and one further down the line. The one that is bad, judging from the codes and the what the guys at the shop, is the latter one. I don't want to straight pipe it, or punch through the plates in the existing catalytic converter. I may be selling it in 2.5 - 3.5 years to move abroad (hopefully will end up having a Hilux!) and would like it to be in legal working order. The rear catalytic converter from the Toyota dealer is $1100 for just the part, that is ridiculous. I have looked at after market ones on the internet that are anywhere from $80-$330.

I don't really feel like paying $1100 bucks for the part when one is available for much less that will most likely increase my fuel economy. My worry is that the P420 code (I think that is the one) will not like a higher flow catalytic converter and the check engine light will still be on even after I replace it with an after market catalytic converter. What after market catalytic converters have any of you put on your truck? Was the check engine light still on after, did it pass emissions (I live in NM where we don't have to pass emissions though). How long should I expect this to take? I will be purchasing one that doesn't require any welding. I haven't replaced a cat on any of my cars in about 10 years, but I don't remember it being to difficult. Just lots of tinkering to get it to fit in place properly. Any suggestions, past experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys

Sorry for the essay

 

Not saying this will work for you, but I have a friend that did this on an S-10 that had a bad cat.

Video

 

Have you ever replaced the upstream O2 sensor?

 

that actually dosnt sound like a bad idea im getting the p0420 code on my truck and ill probably be dealing with it in june when i have to smog the truck but i just use my ultraguage to reset the code when it pops up

 

It should be a quick and easy install. They get stolen all the time because they are so quick to unbolt.

Can't help with the fault code. I put an aftermarket one on my 1986 Toyota truck and it passed smog no problems, but no check engine codes for the cat on that truck. It should be fine though, my sister had an aftermarket one put in her CRV, no check engine light since then.

 

The both sensor's were replaced about 30,000 miles ago. I'm pretty sure its not them. The cat has about 150k on it. I might try cleaning it it first, sounds like the easiest solution. Has anybody taken there old cat of and cleaned it, used seafoam, or other catalytic converter treatments that worked well?

 

checkout magnaflow. they make a direct bolt on cat pipe. i just had mind stolen last week, chopped right off.

 

checkout magnaflow. they make a direct bolt on cat pipe. i just had mind stolen last week, chopped right off.

I would take his advise first. And its not too difficult of a job, but it will take longer than 5 minutes, BUT NOT 1,100 FOR THE PART. WAS THAT A TYPO?
IF NOT A LIPJOB BETTER COME WITH THAT!

I did the magnaflow high flow exhaust from header back in 2005, on my mustng gt, and had their word that the high flow cats would work and not throw a code, and I never had a problem. believe me a asshole at my first emission test afterwards dropped his fat ass on the ground looking, and under my dash, hunting for bypass sensors! but I passed.
And for cleaning a cat. I just don't know if and how that would work.

 

I had to replace my cats this past winter and I was not going to spend $2K+ for OEM parts, pewriod, end of story, I don't care if they have cadmium, etc., inside (BTW: the used cat is worth a couple of bucks (maybe a couple hundred) to a scrapper, due to the metals inside.) Anywho, I bought two aftermarket cats...installed, new sensor right afterwards and everything is fine. Originally, when the check engine light went on, I had the cosed checked and it said cats. BUT, the gaskets had rotted and that might have tripped the lights/code. I got an additional 1 year b4 the check engine light came on again, and this time it was the cats. Since only one downstream sensor, couldn't tell which one was bad. So, I replaced both and then put in a new O2 sensor, no lights, no runs, no drips, no errors.........the truck runs light a champ. F*ck OEM parts at those prices.

 

Thanks guys for all your help. I ended up ordering the magna flow cat, and will put it on a Thursday. The one on the truck is definitely shot.

 

hey guys im having a different issue here.. my cat has rotten and air is escaping from it.. based on your comments toyotas dont like aftermarket cats because it trows the ecl.. i am not willing to pay either big bucks for that cat shit! i found out a website that sells genuine oem toyota parts cheap!.. what ya guys think?

https://parts.olathetoyota.com/index.html