Cat Cons heisted, need some help

Hi folks. Been searching, but could use some clarification and advice.

Both my downstream cats were stolen. The insurance company payout is a joke, and is a fraction of what the stealership is quoting (kinda wishing I hadn't even filed a claim). I can do the work myself, but was more that willing to drop it off let the capable techs (seriously, they've been pretty good) and my insurance company work for me for once. I was under the impression that aftermarket cats weren't great, but I'd be interested on people's experience. Here are my options as I see them. I'm interested in thoughts and experience. VA doesn't do smog, so I think that opens things up. One complication, they got at least one sensor with the passenger side cat, so I'm assuming that needs to be replaced (any input on what I need would be awesome). I also want to be able to sell it down the road without issues. I'm past the Toyota warranty, but not sure what my limitations are with the dealership 100K engine warranty.

1. Pull the rest of the exhaust and let those pipe rumble under my seat. Black tape for the CEL, and plugs for my ears. WHAT!? (In case it's not obvious, this one is out. I don't want anything that will result in a permanent CEL).
2. New cats. Any direct-fit brands that are affordable and decent?
3. Have a muffler shop weld in some pipe to fill the gap between the flanges (they cut the cats out).
4. URD Y pipe. I like this option, and plan to call them this week to see what I sensors I need.
5. New front-cat back exhaust. Like I said, the insurance company wasn't real generous, so I'm guessing my options are limited, but I'm interested.

 

Interesting, insurance won't cover replacement costs?
I gotta take out a rider on my ride.

 

In Pa legit junk yards make folks give name a number to sell cats. I believe even photo ID, you may call around and find yours....

 

@Chew They’re gonna cover a little over a third of what I was quoted. I expected them to come up short but not by this much.

@pyankura Interesting. I hadn’t considered that.

 

Usually they'll pay for replacement with aftermarket cats, not OEM Toyota parts.

If you don't have smog check in your area, it shouldn't matter. If there is a difference in the parts, the net effect will just be slightly higher tailpipe emissions.
And I think your O2 sensors are before the cats, so the emissions level doesn't matter.

If they took one of your O2 sensors, the shop doing the repairs will just need to weld in a new bung into the replacement piping and add a new sensor.

 

That's what I was thinking, not sure why his insurance will only get a third of the way there, if they'll only pay for aftermarket, tell them to recommend the shop if the dealer won't install aftermarket.

 

I’m sure that’s the case. The adjuster sucks and hasn’t provided me with any info and isn’t responding to my emails. Like I said, I shot for the moon. Now I know that’s unlikely, I’m more inclined to find the best solution than fight it. Not having cats that can easily be stolen again is pretty appealing.

 

Call your agent. I'd get it fixed properly, as not having emissions items, will more than likely cause problems down the road and have huge negative impact on resale.

 

You think? I’d disclose that in a private sale, but I wonder if a dealership or CarMax would even notice? It could be touted as a performance upgrade and security measure to a private buyer, and wouldn’t matter unless they live in a place that tests emissions. IDK, just thinking out loud.

Ultimately, you’re right though. If I’m bothering with a claim it should be done right.

 

Also sounds like a new insurance company is in order. If your a vet try USAA, Never had an issue.

 

Do the right thing for the right reasons. I sure wouldn’t want to buy a second-hand truck from a dealership, move to a different state, and only then find out someone didn’t fix the emissions system. Stand up guys don’t do that sort of thing.

Also, you may not see it at a local level where you are, but emissions controls do work and smog is real. Here’s where I used to live. I couldn’t exercise outside in the summer because the smog was so bad that my lungs would catch as if I had asthma. I’d wheeze for hours after a hard bike ride: