Best Brand for Gen 4 Flexpipe/Catalytic Converter. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

xylium · 05-06-2010, 06:27 PM

I've done a search on the forum and come up with vague results. I purchased my 2000 Camry about 2 years ago and ordered the dealer to put on a new Downpipe/Flexpipe/Converter because the original flexpipe was rotten away. They did not want to front the $1200 bucks for a oem so they used a aftermarket. 2 Years later and the aftermarket is already dead. Not to mention I believe the cat was throwing my P0420 code that was on for 1 1/2 years. So now I am looking for a new exhaust section and need to know what experience people have had with certain manufacturers and how much they paid. If anyone know's a place I can get an awesome deal on a oem section, let me know. I believe my current aftermarket section was made by MAC but I'm not positive. I was looking at the Magnaflow series on ebay but I'm not sure if they will last any longer or throw the code again. Any input would be great.

xylium · 05-09-2010, 11:23 AM

Wow, nobody has any 2 cents to throw in? I would have figured alot of people would have run into this problem.

***ASG14*** · 05-09-2010, 11:56 AM

Bosal tends to be a Top aftermarket OE Replacement company for exhaust parts. There are 2 different ones I saw for a 2000 V6 (on Bosal's website). A regular load, and a Premium load. not sure what that means, but I guess the Premium load is a better quality cat. Rock Auto has the more expensve Premium downpipe (with flex and cat) for $318 + ship. I have a 5% discount code if you choose to order from Rock Auto. Just let me know.

PortugalFocus · 05-09-2010, 03:15 PM

How about getting a Magnaflow cat and having an exhaust shop weld you up one?

xylium · 05-09-2010, 08:37 PM

Thanks for the input so far. I took a look at the Bosal standard and premium and could see a difference. The standard had a smaller cat and bigger flex while the premium had a bigger cat and smaller flex. No mention of the benefits, but I'm guessing the Premium is meant for Cali since the standard says it's not approved. I would have just the cat replaced if the flex pipe hadn't rotted out again but seeing how both pieces are junk, I might as well replace the whole thing. I so wish I had asked to keep my original downnpipe and cat as I could have had a new flex pipe welded in. I keep on looking at the Magnaflow direct fit units. They have the nice mandrel bent pipes and look to be a nice fit and finish. I also found a website called AutoAnything that has them on sale for $210 shipped.

xylium · 05-19-2010, 10:39 PM

I looked up the pipe I needed through AutoAnything's online catalog and ordered the Magnaflow Direct Fit pipe #23750. Well it's not going to work because my 2000 Camry is California Spec and needs part# 41750! That's right, any 4cyl Camry or Solara manufactured after 08/2000 is California Spec or ULEV. I verified this via a website called www.toyotapartszone.com which allows you to punch your vin in to find the exact toyota part and part # you need, not a list of possible parts. I also called Magnaflow which confirmed my findings. I hope they don't give me any hastle trying to return it.

TRCar54 · 05-25-2010, 10:55 AM

The front pipe's rear flange broke so I installed a new pipe that I bought by mistake for the original 0420. Got it from Discount Converter http://www.discountconverter.com/ $418.00 free shipping. Dealer wants $1184.00

Seems to work well and looked a like a quality part. Has a new cat warranty by law I believe.

Be careful of the cheap parts. You get what you pay for.

Good luck,
Jay in MA

rty · 07-15-2010, 09:11 AM

I've heard that the Toyota flex pipe and cat converter is made from stainless steel, and the aftermarket ones are not and will rust easily and won't last long. Is this any true?

Nervous · 07-15-2010, 10:15 AM

Well... Looking at my rusted OEM pipe I wouldn't say it is made from stainless steel.....

TRCar54 · 07-15-2010, 02:10 PM

It might be aluminized steel. It's very common with exhaust products and high heat applications.

Jay in MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by rty

I've heard that the Toyota flex pipe and cat converter is made from stainless steel, and the aftermarket ones are not and will rust easily and won't last long. Is this any true?

haux · 07-15-2010, 04:29 PM

xylium, I bought a Megnaflow cat from Amazon for about $80 shipped when I had mine replaced a few months ago.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...converter1.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...converter3.jpg

As far as I know it's stainless steel. The OEM cat definitely was not.
I had a shop replace mine for $20 labor. Although it's unlikely that you'll find a place that cheap just anywhere.
I haven't had any trouble with mine since.

Just an example of a cheap solution. If I had known Bosal made a quality cat, I might have tried it instead.