04 3.4 Cat question

I've read as many of the going threads as possible and am confused to be honest.

I'm needing to replace the rear cat...well actually I don't need to replace the cat I don't believe but the pipe on both sides is toast so I figure I might as well replace it while I'm replacing the pipes.

My truck is my 3rd vehicle that I use for towing and yard work on the weekends, so I'm hoping to not drop the coin for the Yota cat. I've looked at the direct fit replacements and others that are not direct fit. $$ is a little tight right now as we are in the process of moving, so I was looking at this cat. I can pick up one of these and a couple pieces of pipe for about $150 and have my exhaust back together in an afternoon.

I'm concerned that this type of "universal" is going to be trash or cause my truck to throw codes.

Any advise?


EDIT: Where I live now has no emissions testing. In the next 6 months to a year I may end up in Tampa or Phoenix. Someone on here correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Phoenix has emissions testing and Tampa does not?

 

It can be hit or miss with the aftermarket cats. I installed an aftermarket cat on the wife's Tacoma. The CEL light will come on, but it will clear itself and be good for a couple of monthes, then the light will come on for a week or so.

I know Fl is a non inspection state, I have no idea about Az.

I can't remember if there is a rear O2 sensor to sniff the exhaust on the rear cat. I'll have to check on my '04 when I get home. I know there isn't a rear cat on my '98 3.4

 

There is a rear o2 sensor on mine, between the rear cat and muffler.

I guess worse case scenario if it keeps throwing the code even with the new cat I could pick up a sensor simulator.

 

Good to know, like I said, I never checked or acknowledged there was one.

Thanks

KO

 

KO, do you by chance remember the type of aftermarket cat you used? was it a direct fit replacement or something similar to what I'm considering?

 

Sorry, I can't remember the brand, I just rember this was an aftermarket unit.

After thinking about this awhile, I would not be afraid to use an aftermarket unit for the rear cat. Most of the "work" takes place in the front cat.

How did you find out that the rear cat was bad? I would think if you had an issue, it would occur from the front cat failing. Most cat failures occur form running with a CEL light lit all the time. The truck is running in "open loop" mode, wich is essentially a fuel rich exhaust, wich plugs the cat. If you have taken care of the fuel rich issue and cleared the code, many times a cat will clean itself.

Let us know.

KO

 

Disregard, I read your opening post.

 

Technically I don't think my cat is bad, but the pipe on either side of it is in pretty rough shape. I figured I would just throw a new cat on while I'm replacing the pipes since I would have it apart anyway.

 

When I redone the exhaust on my 01, I replaced both cats with magnaflow OE direct fit cats. They lined up perfectly and fit great. I'm pretty sure I got them from Amazon and don't remember them being all that much. I wanna say around $250.00. So far they haven't thrown any lights and I've had them on for 8k miles or so.

 

Well looks like I got lucky, cat was fine. Replaced pipe on either side and some new gaskets... quiet as a mouse again.