Questions about Universal Catalytic Converters

[Clubber_Lang]

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla with about 150,000 miles. The car has been well maintained and runs great. However, I recently had a check engine light diagnosed at the dealership at which time they advised that the catalytic converter was failing. I wanted to get this issue resolved, but not to the tune of $1700 at the dealership. I had a local exhaust shop do the work for $390. The car spent the first 7 years of its life in the rustbelt, and as such has a decent coating of rust on the exhaust. Due to this, the exhaust shop owner recommended a universal magnaflow Catalytic converter which circumvented trying to loosen rusty bolts (which may not have worked) in favor of cuting and welding on the above replacement. For good measure i also had him replace the downstream 02 sensor to with a new Denso one to make sure that wasnt a factor...
This is a Corolla after all, but with the new Cat. it has a nice rumble and so far the check engine light is staying off. After reading about

 

[Clubber_Lang]

(Continued) the high flow properties of the magnaflow, im wondering if it can boost the cars MPG. The car, as stated runs well and I keep it regularly tuned up. However, I suspect that the exhaust had gradually become more restrictive with the degredation of the original Cat. Prior to changing it the car was getting about 33-34 hwy mpg, I suspect it is capable of the high 30s...Also, would like a consensus as to the durability of this brand compared to OEM

 

[Nate1979]

You get what you pay for with catalysts.

 

[Clubber_Lang]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
You get what you pay for with catalysts.

And I have no doubt the OEM is better, however what I put on "seems" to last based on what people write about it. While not outstanding, it is warrantied for 25,000 miles fully and 50,000 conditionally.

 

[Superflop]

Don't sweat the uni cat. It'll work just fine we use universals to replace the oem on our express 4500's. It seems to me buying oem cats especially Japanese and German is similar to getting fisted in the [censored] with no lube. But ymmv.

 

[Dyusik]

My heep's cat honeycomb balled up and plugged it, so I had to replace it. I payed 50 bucks for mine, threw it in there and so far so good. By the time it fails, the jeep will be too old for emissions, I think 4 more years.

 

[Merkava_4]

In California, they don't let you use a universal catalytic converter. If the numbers on the catalytic converter don't match the numbers on the under hood sticker, you don't get to re-register your car.

 

[Clubber_Lang]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
In California, they don't let you use a universal catalytic converter. If the numbers on the catalytic converter don't match the numbers on the under hood sticker, you don't get to re-register your car.

That is a perfect example of why you couldnt pay me to live in the People's Republic of Kalifornia.
(However I'm sure lots of good people live there. Its just a shame how that state regulates every detail of your life)

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: Clubber_Lang
durability of this brand compared to OEM
umm oem is worth $2600 for my Toyota Celica, Platinum is expensive and the OEM brand definitely is better quality. Your catalytic converter went bad from you burning oil, not because it just felt like it was time to go. I work on the 1zz-fe engine everyday, and I mean everyday, when I'm not in my college lectures.

Upstream O2 sensor would go before the downstream as the catalytic converter will remove as much of the oil as it can before it gets to the downstream O2 sensor. P0420 On Toyota is 99% catalytic converter, stated by a head toyota mechanic at dealership, the 6 times I have had them on used 1zz-fe engines I have bought it has been 100% the CAT.

 

[Clubber_Lang]

^^Agree that this engine design does burn some oil, however I will say that in between Mobil 1 5w30 changes every 6000 miles it is going through approx
1/2 quart, which is better than many from my understanding. Thats been the case since I aquired the car at 62,000 miles also.

 

[The_Jeff]

You did good with the chop n' weld. I do this with saturn s-series flexpipes all the time. Let sleeping dogs lie.

 

[Lubener]

Cats last a long time with a properly running engine. They usually go bad due to an engine issue. Don't overlook that when replacing the cat. I recently "easily" passed an emissions test on a 24 year old vehicle and 180k miles. The engine burns a quart every 600 miles. With all that abuse, it still worked.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I had a rattly converter on a '97 Dodge Dakota. I had a local exhaust shop weld in a new universal replacement for 200 bucks. It was money well spent -- it ran great after that and lasted as long as I owned it. I'd have no worries about the durability of an aftermarket converter, especially one from a known brand.

You and I live in a free state where we can do this; be grateful!

 

[JHZR2]

When I had nox issues on my 318i, I found that the universal was about as good brand new as the OE one was at end of life.

Not worth it. If I was trying to save a buck I'd either try to find used from a low mileage wreck or else ensure its CARB compliant.

 

[Clubber_Lang]

Its a shame the Ole' straight pipe wouldnt work

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
In California, they don't let you use a universal catalytic converter. If the numbers on the catalytic converter don't match the numbers on the under hood sticker, you don't get to re-register your car.


That's not true, is it? There are CARB-compliant universal converters for sale. Or is there more to it?

 

[Chris142]

Just because it threw a cat code does not mean the cat was restricted.it just wasnt cleaning the exhaust as well as it could

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
When I had nox issues on my 318i, I found that the universal was about as good brand new as the OE one was at end of life.

Not worth it. If I was trying to save a buck I'd either try to find used from a low mileage wreck or else ensure its CARB compliant.


Who does sniffer tests anymore? Aftermarket cats have the EPAs blessing to keep beater cars sorta clean-ish. It's a nice bone for them to throw us. OP has the 25k performance warranty anyway-- time that for a smog inspection (if required) at 24k and he's good for several years.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
When I had nox issues on my 318i, I found that the universal was about as good brand new as the OE one was at end of life.

Not worth it. If I was trying to save a buck I'd either try to find used from a low mileage wreck or else ensure its CARB compliant.


It is illegal to sell used cats without them being tested and certified, this cost a fortune and almost never done.

Originally Posted By: EPA
EPA considers it a violation of the policy to install a used converter from a salvage yard or sell it for reuse unless it has been properly tested and labeled.
Similarly, it is a violation to install an untested used converter brought in by a customer, even if the customer insists that the used converter came off his/her vehicle.
Salvage or junk yards also would be considered liable for causing tampering if they sell
converters that have not been tested or do not meet the requirements outlined in the policy and if the converters are subsequently installed by parties named in the Clean Air Act as prohibited from tampering


http://www3.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf

 

[UNC017]

Magnaflow is a reputable brand and will probably out-live what's left of the car. But I wouldn't expect miracle gas mileage improvements, because even though the old cat was "failing," it probably wasn't significantly clogged (could be wrong on that). It probably just had lost enough atoms of catalyst to "poisoning" that it wasn't every effective anymore, but still flowed OK.

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

Not worth it. If I was trying to save a buck I'd either try to find used from a low mileage wreck or else ensure its CARB compliant.


AFAIK, its not legal to re-use salvaged catcons, at least not without a testing/labeling procedure that would make them cost more than new aftermarket units. They're always removed from incoming vehicles at wrecking yards and recycled for the platinum and palladium.