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Catalytic converter question.

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by QMEDJoe, Jul 26, 2016.

  1. Jul 26, 2016 at 12:03 AM
    #1
    QMEDJoe

    QMEDJoe [OP] Proverbs 3:5-6

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    Fox 2.0 Coilovers in the front and Fox 2.0’s in the rear, Total Chaos UCA’s, Al-lpro expo leafs, K&N cold air intake, TRD headers,Magnaflow catback exhaust,URD short throw shifter, switched out my 60/40 bench seat for some Tacoma Limited seats, Replaced the vinyl shift boot for a leather one, completely soundproofed the cab w/ Frost King. Replaced stock radio with a Pioneer AVH series head unit. Focal component system w/a 10" sub powered by 2 Alpine amps. Weathertech floor mats. Line-X'd the bed. SCS Ray 10’s, Installed an A.R.E. MX series camper shell. All-Pro Apex front bumper w/ All-Pro skid plates all the way back to the Trans. Low Range fuel skid plate.
    Hey y'all, I was wondering if anyone had ever got rid of the two cats and went with only one? I know that the 1st gen Tacoma's that were made for California had two which mine has. I'm going to be replacing my entire exhaust, from headers back preparing for my s/c install and would like to save the extra cash by only installing one. Has anyone done this? Will it throw any codes being used to two cats? I'll be going with Magnaflow if that makes any difference
     
  2. Jul 26, 2016 at 1:12 AM
    #2
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    I went with a whole new system from manifolds back with a universal magnaflow high flow. The one it suggests on their site. I'd have to look again. No codes. Runs pretty much the same. Maybe a tiny bit more in the butt dyno. Went with stock pipe size. 2.25 iirc.. Also have a borla pro xs and ultra quiet resonator.
     
    QMEDJoe[OP] likes this.
  3. Jul 26, 2016 at 1:25 AM
    #3
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    As long as the two sensors show enough change between the front and rear sensors it should be fine.

    I am curious as to how long it will last before the MIL trips with the PO420 code.

    Has anyone does this now at 40,000 miles plus ?? With no codes ??
     
  4. Jul 26, 2016 at 3:00 AM
    #4
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Part number for the mag I got is #99005HM
    Classified as the 'rear' universal cat.
    Got approx 15-20k on it so far...
    Can't say for sure if it's as efficient or how long it will last. All I can say is I don't have any issues. Granted I don't require emissions OR inspections so I don't have to worry regardless. If it does end up popping the cat code, then I'll just plug the sim back in. Because that sensor will throw a code at the slightest hint of inefficiency. Like 5% or something iirc. Again not a big deal for me but for certain states it is.
     
    QMEDJoe[OP] likes this.
  5. Jul 26, 2016 at 12:36 PM
    #5
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    I was going to ask today just to wild and crazy

    I know Pa has the visual inspection as well if they need to see two cats and don`t per the California Emissions package

    One could fail the test but I am not real sure .
     
    QMEDJoe[OP] likes this.
  6. Jul 26, 2016 at 6:30 PM
    #6
    00yotasr5

    00yotasr5 Well-Known Member

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    if you don't have to deal with smog I don't see a reason not to go with 1 cat. now if there is smog then when they do the visual inspection, your vin/registration will tell that its cali spec. meaning you will need 2 cats to pass.
     
    QMEDJoe[OP] likes this.
  7. Jul 26, 2016 at 9:55 PM
    #7
    QMEDJoe

    QMEDJoe [OP] Proverbs 3:5-6

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    Did you have the two cats originally?
     
  8. Jul 26, 2016 at 10:03 PM
    #8
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Yeppers
     
    QMEDJoe[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  9. Aug 2, 2016 at 5:45 AM
    #9
    EdStocko

    EdStocko Member

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    Keeping 'em stock, for now...
    There are two cats on my '01 V6, and I replaced both with OEM parts on the recommendation of a mechanic friend. He has had bad experience with aftermarket cats on several Toyota models/engines (including Taco/3.4L), and he won't install (and guarantee) aftermarket cats on these. I replaced both because it's not easy to figure out which one has failed, and I didn't want to keep chasing the problems I was having with sensors and check-engine-light. In NY State, vehicle won't pass annual safety/emission inspection if CEL is lit.
     
  10. Aug 2, 2016 at 8:49 AM
    #10
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    What's the price on 2 OEM cats? I live in CA and my truck has been passing emissions just fine but with 245,000 miles on my truck. I just want to get a figure in mind since they don't last forever
     
  11. Aug 2, 2016 at 8:50 AM
    #11
    00yotasr5

    00yotasr5 Well-Known Member

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    Mine lasted up until 260000 miles before some A-hole stole it.
     
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  12. Aug 2, 2016 at 9:03 AM
    #12
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    That sucks! I hate thieves!!!
     
  13. Aug 2, 2016 at 9:22 AM
    #13
    00yotasr5

    00yotasr5 Well-Known Member

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    Tell me about it, this was in a gated community lol.
     
  14. Aug 2, 2016 at 7:03 PM
    #14
    EdStocko

    EdStocko Member

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    Keeping 'em stock, for now...
    The OEM cats are expensive. One was $1100 and the other was $900. If you don't want to spend that much, check out the Magnaflow that NightProwler used. That is a quality brand, and it sounds like it worked for him. I went the big bucks route because of NY State emissions inspections. There is another cat thread on this site, which also gives positive comments about Magnaflow. One good thing about your truck; it'll last long enough to make it worth putting a few $$ into it.
     
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  15. Aug 2, 2016 at 8:09 PM
    #15
    NightProwler

    NightProwler Well-Known Member

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    Well I'm still wondering if the op even needs emissions/inspections where he is. Or how strict they actually are. Like, does it even matter as long as the cel isn't on? Is there a certain percentage of tolerance of emissions generated that is acceptable when tested? Do they inspect the converters and require two to be installed or is it dependant on the emissions test solely? If it's dependant on the cel only, can you get away with a simple setup like mine? Or just throw a cel simulator on to bypass that cel? As in, do they connect an obd diagnostic tool as well and view the readout? If so the sim may not work because it gives a constant signal and doesn't change under different operating conditions which they do look at in emissions tests. These are the questions that the op needs to know If he does in fact require these tests. I'm curious myself because if I ever have to move I might have to do the same shit and have to change my entire system. Which is a possibility. I'd be tempted to just sell the truck at that point. That's a lot of hassle and a lot of coin just to get it in spec if so.

    Also if so, he's gonna need the correct cats. The one I have is not rated for those states iirc. Magnaflow does make both specs of cats. Both universal and bolt on in both specs I believe.



    BUT.. On the other hand, if he DOESN'T require all that extra crap, then here's more food for thought:

    Even if you go with two universal ones, and have them welded in with your new exhaust system, I'd assume itd still be cheaper than getting oem cats. Unless you're trying to do it yourself with the bolt on ones. Which those are much more expensive( the bolt on magnaflow high flows). Because you could do it all yourself getting bolt on headers, bolt on cats, and a bolt on cat back system. But I still think itd be worth it to look into getting by with purchasing:
    one or both universal cats
    purchasing your headers
    muffler of your choice
    Possibly a resonator as well to tone the loudness and drone down(if you get a high flow muffler like magnaflow or flowmaster that is)
    Or no resonator if you get a quiet muffler. Like my borla, it's pretty damn quiet with that resonator and wished it was a bit louder. But if need be you can always get the resonator and have that welded in at a later time. Pretty easy and cheap to have a shop slap that in. Shoulda done that myself...

    But yeah, this is not an easy task and should be looked into before you start throwing money at it and risk a setup that isn't gonna work out. I kinda lucked out I think and had a lot less to worry about with no crazy smog requirements. I thought for sure I'd pop a cel. I did actually but it was for the rear sensor. Replaced both sensors too and she's been running great with no codes.
     
  16. Sep 10, 2016 at 5:07 PM
    #16
    Fati Tacoma

    Fati Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Magnaflow shows direct fit catalytic converters for the Tacoma. They have both the front and rear cat on their website. Also looks like two different manufacturers as well??

    https://www.magnaflow.com/products?partNumber=23759#modal-compatiblevehicles

    Anyone have experience with these?

    Currently I have a leak in the piping directly in front of the first cat due to rusting. The rest of the system looks shot as well. I plan on doing a full exhaust system starting with Doug Thorley headers and leaning toward magnaflow for everything else.
     
  17. Sep 22, 2016 at 11:32 AM
    #17
    mikesedge

    mikesedge Well-Known Member

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    I'm glad I searched the forum for this, I was about to start a new thread. I have a bad front cat, there is a crack and I can hear the exhaust leak pretty bad. After I looked at it I'm kind of worried it will just come apart while I'm driving. So of course I'm looking for a new cat. I already have a cat back exhaust from magnaflow and it's in good condition despite being on my truck for 7 years in New England. So I looked for a new cat from magnaflow and there are two different direct fit bolt on cats from magnaflow for my truck. One is OEM (part number 51679) and the other is "STANDARD/HM" (part number 23759). Does anybody know what the difference between these is? The other confusing part of it is that they are both sold on Amazon but Amazon says they don't fit my truck and the OEM part number is cheaper than the "STANDARD/HM". I just want to make sure I'm getting a the right part for my truck.

    Link for magnaflow cats:
    https://www.magnaflow.com/products?partNumber=23759
    https://www.magnaflow.com/products?partNumber=51679

    Link for these on Amazon:
    https://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-23759-Catalytic-Converter-compliant/dp/B000XQM2YS
    https://www.amazon.com/MagnaFlow-51679-Stainless-Catalytic-Converter/dp/B0086C2WX2

    And here's a picture of my failing cat:
    IMG_3592.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2016
    Fati Tacoma[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Sep 22, 2016 at 4:00 PM
    #18
    Fati Tacoma

    Fati Tacoma Well-Known Member

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  19. Sep 22, 2016 at 5:21 PM
    #19
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    So are theirs standard compliant or OEM compliant?
     
  20. Sep 22, 2016 at 6:42 PM
    #20
    Larrys 02 Tacoma

    Larrys 02 Tacoma Member

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    I have a 2000 Mazda Miata and CA emissions for that year had boat anchor cast exhaust manifold and a bolt on pre-cat and second cat further down. This was done in 99 as well as 2000. In 2001 Mazda went back to a header with a single cat. Guys with the shitty 99 & 00 started swapping over to the later 01 and up set up. You removed the old pre-cat and exhaust manifold and installed the later system. It required leaving the first 02 sensor where it was and welding in a bung after the second cat for the other 02 sensor. You needed a different EGR hook and some other things. The later system had a header shield and visually looks bone stock installed. Picked up better sounding exhaust, more power, and slightly improved MPG. I did this in 04 and have passed emissions tests since here in CA every since. The computer only reads before and after a single cat, at least in this era of cars. Hope the CA emissions secret police don't read this post.
     

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