Catalytic Converter - Has anyone bought non OEM replacement?

I'm @ 167k and pulled a bad cat code. I started by replacing rear o2 sensor, which i tested with multimeter and discovered was defective. The front sensor is working...for now, but I think I will replace that, after reading your post. The front cat is making an additional humming noise (not a loose heat shield), it just sounds a bit louder than usual. I hear no noise coming from down stream cat. I am going to replace the pre (front) cat, as I am sure it is garbage. It may be wise to purchase the OEM part as someone here has said, that having the right cat will help keep proper timing and allow for max power (something about scavenging). I found "exact fit" cats from eastern catalytic, but ..., I imagine I could potentially screw this up with a non-OEM part..?? I gotta say, the picture of eastern catalytic's part looks exactly like my OEM....any words of wisdom? Anyone bought a non OEM cat for a tacoma?

 

I have an eastern catalytic converter sitting in my room waiting to be installed with some DT headers. I'm going to "scrap" my OEM cats even though they don't give any codes after 180k. I'm going to run a rear O2 sim if I get any issues.

 

Your 02 has California emissions, keep that in mind if you get an aftermarket replacement. I got magnaflow 50 state converters, they were about half the cost of oem and work great.

 

Thanks for the replies.

It has California emissions? How do you know that? I thought only certain vehicles were, not entire years.

I've got the 2.7L , unfortunately for me, I don't think they make the signal interrupter for my truck. Also, I'm replacing the cat cause it's busted and making noise, probably due to incorrect information coming from a busted rear o2 sensor (now replaced), sending incorrect amounts of fuel. So although a working signal interrupter could potentially turn off a check engine light,....the problem still remains.

There's probably other reasons my cat died as well. I think I ought to start taking a closer look at what fuel I put in my truck, maybe start using a quality stabilizer of some sort.....ethanol blends could be to blame.

 

Also, were you able to get a direct fit from magna flow? or did you need to do some cutting? welding (or exhaust type clamps)?

I'm worried that I'll install one and it will throw codes, or it will be the wrong size.

But yeah, definitely here questioning cause I don't want to pay for that $1000 OEM part

 

I have never bought a new OEM cat., have never run into any problems with any of the aftermarket cats. You should be able to find direct fit to run without any modifications. Universal ones might be a little cheaper but you need to weld in or buy clamps to make work so the final price can vary between the two.

 

i also used an after market cat that was around $120 i think, i can't remember the name, if i find it i'll post

only have 10,000 miles since i put it on but hopefully it will hold up. it was a direct replacement

not sure if that helps

 

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to hear. I guess I'll give the direct fit from Eastern Cat a whirl. Just need to check my truck for the Cali emissions first...to make sure I get the right cat. I'll post some pics of this project when I get done with it. There sure is a lot of salt damage here in the east coast...should really wash the undercarriage every damn day in the winter. One of my exhaust pipe connections was completely rusted off.

 

You do have Cali emissions. Every toyota after 2001 has it. And magnaflow does make a direct fit converter