Replacing the Catalytic converter Gen2 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Tommy · 03-12-2005, 01:17 PM

back in october when i swapped my engine, i noticed that my cat was very clogged, being preoccupied with getting then engine back in, i didnt think much about it nor did i really feel like doing anything about it then.

now that things are back to normal, i want to get this resolved. the thing is, a new OEM cat for a gen2 is like $400-$500! im not dropping more money on a cat than i did on the damn engine!

here's my idea, i want to get a universal or highflow cat and have a shop put it on some where abit down stream from the original, and have them take out the current cat and replace it with a pipe.

Is this doable? if so, where would i put the new cat? and what about heat issues?

Edit: meant to put this in the camry section, but i guess it will work here to.

bowlofturtle · 03-12-2005, 02:38 PM

you say your cat is clogged, but is it still functional.

By law you can't remove a cat that is working. i'm not sure how many shops go by this law. But if your cat isn't working the way it should then you can get a highflow cat installed for tons cheaper.

SmokingTires · 03-12-2005, 04:25 PM

^
Keep in mind each state is different in their laws.

And yes, it would easy to do. Hell, you could get a direct fit cat.
http://performancecenter.com/products/?productID=186714

That one is in the case that you have a 2.5L That site is good for parts.

But either way, it's an easy process to do and would probably take 2 hours at most with cleaning and welding.

dexter_5000 · 03-12-2005, 05:36 PM

even though you wanted in the camry forum this helped me out some too i was considering an oem one myself and doing a custom cat-back for my seo. since that link has one for my car this works out for me. thats alot cheaper overall. does exactly what i want too. bolt in on the header side. thanks guys.

bowlofturtle · 03-12-2005, 06:11 PM

why doesn't that site have any OBD2 cats.

From what i understand that law is enforced in the CARB law which is cali's law. And about 20 some states adopted the laws of CARB. Maybe the law only applies to ODB2 cars. then. So your gen2 isn't included not too sure.

sloppybeak · 03-12-2005, 06:47 PM

JC WHITNEY makes this stuff thats supposed to unclog your CAT.Might be bogus,i dont know-ther should be some similar stuff available at some auto parts places-i tried soe once,but i didnt notice nuthin.I would definitly stick with stock if possible,notwithstanding any state laws.Theres a reason its 500.00,not just cause its a dealer item.If you need a oem replacement i would go with WALKER brand.In fact,i think Walker makes the best aftermarket oem stuff.Great"QUIETFLOW" muffler which i have and also i got the direct fit tailpipe-it has gentle bends,though not mandrel-and its cheap.Go search for WALKER EXhaust or Mufflers on the web.They have good tech support too.P.S,you wont need the hangers/brackets they try and sell.

fredk · 03-12-2005, 10:16 PM

hey steve

plan A get a pry bar and a hammer and bust the brick up, then get one put as close to it as possible, some of them have their own heat shields

plan B, get an ex manifold off a 5s, they dont have the cat in the manifold, and then get a cat with a heatshield put close by downstream

Tofuball · 03-13-2005, 08:34 AM

Jegs sells some nice high-flow magnaflow weld-in cats for $99 or so.

Of the law in your state forbids whatever shop from working on your cat because it 'still works' just hit it with a crowbar untill it doesnt. Then replace it.

If you are doing the welding yourself, kudos

Tommy · 03-13-2005, 05:32 PM

ok...i live in South Carolina, we arent even required to have mufflers, much less catalytic converters.

Im not going to hallow out my current cat, because that would be stupid. id end up with 10" long peice of 7" diameter pipe in my exhaust, which would kill everything.

I was thinking of getting a manifold off a 3SGE, since it doesnt have a cat at the manifold, and having that welded up to my pipes, but what you guys are saying is that it needs to be as close to the original as possible? and that if it has a heat sheild i dont need to worry about things getting burned up?

btw, i dont know if the thing is still functional, we dont have emissions inspections either, but i assume the thing is junk since its 14years old now and ive seen how clogged it is.

ShawnM · 03-14-2005, 06:30 AM

My wifes car failed due to a weak converter. Direct fit eplacement converter was in the $200 range (the big circular one that bolts right to the manifold). I left it alone and got a universal one for $50 and spliced that in as close to the front of the car as possible. Worked great. It fast passed the next two emission tests......untill she smashed the hell out of the front end.

Only problem with that is it takes a little longer for the converter to warm up since its farther away from the engine.

Tofuball · 03-14-2005, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevethecleric

ok...i live in South Carolina, we arent even required to have mufflers, much less catalytic converters.

Im not going to hallow out my current cat, because that would be stupid. id end up with 10" long peice of 7" diameter pipe in my exhaust, which would kill everything.

I was thinking of getting a manifold off a 3SGE, since it doesnt have a cat at the manifold, and having that welded up to my pipes, but what you guys are saying is that it needs to be as close to the original as possible? and that if it has a heat sheild i dont need to worry about things getting burned up?

btw, i dont know if the thing is still functional, we dont have emissions inspections either, but i assume the thing is junk since its 14years old now and ive seen how clogged it is.

You can always cram a pipe through it and weld that in

Ruffrydasean · 03-14-2005, 06:47 AM

good topic as i need to replace mine, can a Cat converter designed for the Gen3 V6 (95-96 i'm finding on the net) fit my 97 V6... I see they are a bit cheaper than the $400+ i was quoted from summitmotorsports. My Car is loud as hell right now, and the only reason i dont have it fixed right now is becus i thought the part would be $400+ and i did'nt mind the noise link

white90dx · 03-14-2005, 08:16 PM

Get the 3s-fe header from pacesetter and and then have a cheapo (or high-flow) cat welded in the exhaust. There's plenty of room in the area around the flex section behind/below the motor. Later CA cars actually had a second cat there already. I ran my old Camry with just a high-flow cat there and it got rid of any nasty catless smell (never did any emissions test with it that way though).

-Charlie

PahokCamry · 03-25-2005, 01:21 AM

wow emission here in cali suck, if i were you id leave off the cat completely, you said there no emissions testing. Heck id just chop off all the piping. Now that would sound beautiful. BTW got a ticket for doing that here lol.