Replacing entire exhaust system?

Hey friends,

My Taco had its first trip to a mechanic, since I've been playing shadetree mechanic on it, and once again I have a bad cat converter. He says my entire exhaust system is shot from rust, so I should just replace the whole thing. He says that I should go with OEM, because Toyota tolerances on throwing these codes are so tight, so I should not do aftermarket.

Has anyone replaced their entire exhaust system before - from the header all the way down to the tailpipe tips? Do I need a welder, or is it all bolt on if it's brand new, OEM?

Thanks

 

Magmaflow makes cats
@Flowmaster Exhaust is a vender here and they also make cats, im sure they will have more info on this.
But you can get exhust pipe and use clamps to hold it all together. Its not perfect that way but it will last long enough to goto a shop and have them weld it up.
But a good exhust shop should be able to bend you up a oem like exhust no problem for fairly cheap.

 

My question is - if I replace everything from the header down to the tip of the tailpipe, is this a doable DIY job?

 

He's referring mostly to the cats being inferior to original ones and since you're saying 'once again, bad cat', I guess he's on track.

Unfortunately, I don't know if a new OEM cat(s) is obtainable.

 

They sell exhust pipe and even pre bent section so yes with some clamps and ingenuity your can do it by yourself. The clamps work but its cheap enough to goto a shop and have them just weld it all after you install it

 

Also @Flowmaster Exhaust sells bolt in replacement cats that are carb compliant. I would shoot them a pm and see what they say

 

I'll let you know by Tuesday, as I'll be installing TRD headers and a Magnaflow cat back, with the help of a mechanic friend, this weekend. Alas, he won't do the actual job, he'll be guiding me from start to completition. Or at least that's the plan...

 

This should help if you want to try it yourself. Factory exhaust system pretty much bolts together.

 

Thanks, all! Looking forward to fixing this issue hopefully once and for all...

 

If you do not live in California or those states that have adopted California's emissions laws I have two Flowmaster Direct-fit Catalytic Converter options for you as well as a Cat-back Exhaust System for your Tacoma. For the front Catalytic Converter, you'll want to take a look at Flowmaster part# 2051040 and for the rear converter part# 2059240. These replacement "cats" will bolt directly to the OEM (or OEM based) exhaust manifold and OEM exhaust system post "cats" or directly to our American Thunder Cat-back System, part# 817519 with no welding of the exhaust system required. I do not offer an OEM exhaust manifold or performance-based replacement header, however, the items we do offer are substantially less in price than OEM, perform identically to their OEM counterpart and are designed off of OEM specifications.

If you do live in California or a state that has similar emissions laws we offer Universal replacement Catalytic Converters, however, those replacement options are not Direct-fit and will have to be installed by an exhaust professional as part of a "custom" exhaust system. There are a number of variables on the generation of Tacoma that you own so I was not able to get the necessary part numbers, please give us a call at 707-544-4761 for the proper parts recommendation.

- Jason @ Flowmaster

 

You said, bad cat again... is this the second time you are replacing the same convertor, if so, why? If you are being told that you need a new cat because the "computer" told you I would do a little more digging. If you are burning oil that will kill a cat pretty quick. If there is/are perforations in the exhaust upstream of the cat(s) that too will be a false positive for a bad cat(s).

 

@Glamisman

I had the same question... So far, never burned oil that I can tell. Mechanic says that "because the entire exhaust is aftermarket, and placed in strange places, including the fact that the bung for the 02 sensors being in a different places from stock, and the welding jobs are poor" that it causes the computer system to trip the codes. And that further aftermarket parts will continue to trip codes because Toyota tolerances for differences in the system are very small.

I also have a lot of rust in the rear tailpipe area, past the muffler. Haven't inspected up before the catalytic converters.. Both cats and both 02 sensors had to be replaced right after I drove it off the lot 2 years ago... the dealer took care of the first set, but the fact that they're bad again makes me want to scream. The small shop that did it did a really shit job the first time, threw more codes, I went and got a smoke test and there was smoke pouring out before the first cat. Took it back to the muffler shop and they cut it down and re-welded it and the code went away for some time.

 

I just got a quote on the entire system from OEM..... Holy smokes. I can't spend that kind of money if there is something else out there that is stainless and cheaper and will work without throwing codes!

 

Toyota parameters are tight on the ECU. He's right about that. It's not necessary to burn oil to kill a cat on these things, I've always blamed fuel (maybe wrongly).
There are a lot of Toyo's with the CEL lights stuck on sold off to non emission areas because of the 'dreaded' codes.

 

So much b.s. can destroy a cat therefore go with what passes and has a decent rep. I used a Magnaflow cat and couldn’t pass smog for the life of me!, bought a factory cat and she passes w/flying colors. I won’t ever spend on a factory cat again, walker has very good cats for 1/4 the price of factory and they pass just as the factory one will.

 

I have been using Walker Exhaust systems for quite some time (100,000 miles or so)

With no issues .

If you have exhaust leaks between the Cats I can see it tripping a code

 

OP... that makes sense to me. Wrecking yard maybe unless you are in a rust state or it might be worth the drive to another state if you can find a decent exhaust there. What a pain in the rear.

 

If the catback for 4 cyl trucks and V6 trucks is the same, you can have mine, for the cost of shipping!

FYI, I'm doing the headers and catback install in Sioux Falls, at a friends shop, so shipping would be from SD. Good luck!

 

If he doesn't want yours I'll take it. Might even drive to Sioux Falls to get it, LOL

 

Me too. Bought mine from NAPA. Cheap. Easy bolt up.