Catalytic converters

So....mine is dead. The check engine light annoys the crap out of me and I want it off.

So...i have decided I'll likely just replace my entire exhaust as it's 12 years old....so I'll get a performance header, a performance catback..and then comes the question of the cat itself.

I do not live in an emission state. So should I just gut the cat I have now and use a o2 simulator...or should I buy a replacement cat since or engines supposedly need the back pressure for proper low end (I'm thinking low end...not high end...its only a 4 cylinder after all).


Thoughts and opinions?

 

Jba long tube header straight pipe to muffler

 

The header will be an lce.

 

It'll likely run like crap with that setup and you'll go though gas like no tomorrow. If you put a cat in with the oxygen sensors, the ECM will at least to it's job correctly.

 

I can't imagine I'm the only one out there who has thought through this?

 

Hi flow headers and cat-back are pointless if the exhaust still has to go through a restrictive cat. 02 simulator could work, fuel calculation "should" be concerned with upstream 02 sensor only but I'm not sure. Sometimes the pcm will look at both upstream/downstream.

If your not concerned about fuel mileage, hog it out and go with the simulator.

If the CEL is bugging you, be careful with simulators as they may not completely satisfy what the pcm is looking for in terms of cat monitor

 

RIP enviroment.

 

Since you don't live in an emissions state you can get a cheap aftermarket cat...avoid the CEL, retain your gas mileage and keep the air around you relatively clean (if you're concerned about that sort of thing). Cats are super expensive if you have to go OEM, but there are cheap aftermarket options for people that live in no-emissions states.

 

But a cheap cat can trigger a code anyway. They skimp on the precious metals to keep costs down.

 

Yeah I've planted nearly 30 trees in my life...probably more to come....my conscious is clear.

 

I suppose what I'm most concerned with is harming my engine from lack of back pressure...thats all.

 

Do the walker cats from rock auto work well?

 

I would do long tube headers and end it with a modest muffler like the TRD, or the Dynomax SuperTurbo. Theres your pressure....

I had a magna flow on mine originally and Ill never do that again. Annoyed the crap outta me on the highway! (dumped at the axle hehe)

 

URD Headers
URD Y-pipe
URD Catback
URD o2 Simulator

You’ll be good to go with a more power.

 

Why would I need a y pipe?

 

Six or four cylinder?

The rock Rock Auto cat work fine on the four cylinder. Going on about 8 years so far.

 

If you're worried about harming the engine, keep it stock

 

Do you have a supercharger?

If not, doing a full exhaust (headers all the way back) will reduce your low end power significantly, unless you're mashing the pedal all day long anyway and don't care.

 

I Just ran into the same issue where my truck threw a bank 2 code and was informed my Cats were most likely going up since I have 148,000 on her. I have a 4.0 V6 and trying to decide which way to go myself.
1. Replace the cats with Toyota OEM equipment that is going to run around 2 grand all said and done, if it isn't a sensor. Should know soon because Toyota can run a test to confirm by boosting the fuel injectors and seeing how the bank 2 sensor reacts.
2. Go with Magnaflow's cat system that is a little less expensive but not certain about their quality or reliability??
3. Go with URD's Rear 02 simulator for a 149 bills and just gut the cat and call it a day. I'm in MD so have to be sure I can pass emission testing.

 

Anything other than stock and you risk a CEL. As far as the sensors go, they're probably fine. If they weren't you would have an 02 code (slow response, inactivity, heater circuit, etc)