Aftermarket catalytic converters?

[Texas4run]

2005 SR5 4runner with 265K miles. I keep getting fault codes for cats, mainly bank 2 but bank 1 comes on randomly as well.

I tried various cat cleaning additives but it doesn't work.

All O2 sensors are replaced.

Any recommendations on aftermarket cats? It seems to be a big variety in price. Anything from $200 for 2 cats on Amazon and up.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[dasx86]

V8 or V6? Do you want to weld new cats into the existing piping, or replace parts wholesale?

How is the connection at the bottom of the manifold to the y pipe, just before the secondary O2 sensor? If that connection isn't airtight, outside air leaking in will cause P0420/P0430.

I have heard of people running Magnaflow cats, Gesi cats on this forum with success.

 

[Texas4run]

V8 or V6? Do you want to weld new cats into the existing piping, or replace parts wholesale?

How is the connection at the bottom of the manifold to the y pipe, just before the secondary O2 sensor? If that connection isn't airtight, outside air leaking in will cause P0420/P0430.

I have heard of people running Magnaflow cats, Gesi cats on this forum with success.

Basic SR5 with a V6

 

[Texas4run]

V8 or V6? Do you want to weld new cats into the existing piping, or replace parts wholesale?

How is the connection at the bottom of the manifold to the y pipe, just before the secondary O2 sensor? If that connection isn't airtight, outside air leaking in will cause P0420/P0430.

I have heard of people running Magnaflow cats, Gesi cats on this forum with success.

I checked for leaks and everything is good. It is a basic SR5 with a V6.

Welding is not an option at this point since I don't have the equipment for it. In other words, I will replace the both cats with new ones. It seems pretty straight forward on the V6.

 

[dasx86]

I'm not familiar with the ins and outs of the V6 - I have a V8 and went the Doug Thorley shorties route, welding the stock cats to the shorties. Rough job on the V8; I assume the V6 is easier with regard to accessing manifold nuts, getting the manifold in/out. Someone more familiar with the V6 should chime in here.

Magnaflow sells some federal EPA drop in replacements that are pricey: 2005 Toyota 4Runner Catalytic Converters | MagnaFlow

Looking at RockAuto, there's a range of federal EPA drop-in replacements. Some quite cheap, under 200 bucks. If you're just looking to get the light off and keep it rolling down the road, I'd start there

cheap driver side: More Information for ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE OPCT1019
cheap passenger side: More Information for ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE OPCT1020
pricier driver: More Information for ATP 101339
pricier passenger: More Information for ATP 101340

edit: wow, I see the options on Amazon you mentioned. Getting both sides for under 200 bucks feels too good to be true

 

[Mean Kitty]

I picked a couple up on Ebay (they were new) 7 or 8 years ago for less than 200 shipped to the house. I was pretty hesitant if they would get rid of my P420/430 codes, or if they would last very long. They got rid of the codes, and have been on my 2002 runner that whole time. I had to replace one of the cats a couple months back, but not because it went bad, but had another issue that caused the pipe to break in a few places. So I'd say go for it. They were bolt on deals too, so just take the sensors out and move them to the new cats, and you should be good to go. Hardest part will probably be getting the old nuts off everything. These cats were no name brand, they were just built to fit. I had a replacement one welded in from a shop, and they put a no name cat on, to replace the one that got broken off my truck while on a trip, and I havn't had any probs with that one yet either (as far as codes go). I am in Texas too, so still have to deal with inspections, so I know you need something that will let you pass your yearly inspection, so you should be good. And a longer term solution than running the cat-cleaner stuff though every so often. I never had to do that with the ebay cats, I imagine the amazon ones should be the same.

 

[Texas4run]

I'm not familiar with the ins and outs of the V6 - I have a V8 and went the Doug Thorley shorties route, welding the stock cats to the shorties. Rough job on the V8; I assume the V6 is easier with regard to accessing manifold nuts, getting the manifold in/out. Someone more familiar with the V6 should chime in here.

Magnaflow sells some federal EPA drop in replacements that are pricey: 2005 Toyota 4Runner Catalytic Converters | MagnaFlow

Looking at RockAuto, there's a range of federal EPA drop-in replacements. Some quite cheap, under 200 bucks. If you're just looking to get the light off and keep it rolling down the road, I'd start there

cheap driver side: More Information for ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE OPCT1019
cheap passenger side: More Information for ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE OPCT1020
pricier driver: More Information for ATP 101339
pricier passenger: More Information for ATP 101340

edit: wow, I see the options on Amazon you mentioned. Getting both sides for under 200 bucks feels too good to be true

Thanks for your input. I might try the Amazon cheap route.

 

[Texas4run]

I picked a couple up on Ebay (they were new) 7 or 8 years ago for less than 200 shipped to the house. I was pretty hesitant if they would get rid of my P420/430 codes, or if they would last very long. They got rid of the codes, and have been on my 2002 runner that whole time. I had to replace one of the cats a couple months back, but not because it went bad, but had another issue that caused the pipe to break in a few places. So I'd say go for it. They were bolt on deals too, so just take the sensors out and move them to the new cats, and you should be good to go. Hardest part will probably be getting the old nuts off everything. These cats were no name brand, they were just built to fit. I had a replacement one welded in from a shop, and they put a no name cat on, to replace the one that got broken off my truck while on a trip, and I havn't had any probs with that one yet either (as far as codes go). I am in Texas too, so still have to deal with inspections, so I know you need something that will let you pass your yearly inspection, so you should be good. And a longer term solution than running the cat-cleaner stuff though every so often. I never had to do that with the ebay cats, I imagine the amazon ones should be the same.

Thanks, my 4runner has been in the DFW area since new so there's no corrosion. I am leaning towards the Amazon option.

 

[Hungryhawk]

I hope you are not in California-this State has strict requirements for replacements. The smog test centers will fail a vehicle with a "not approved" CAT. No registraton unless pass smog.

 

[MikeinNH67]

I installed a Rockauto one on the passenger side a few years back because I had a leak at the cylinder head. Being in the rust belt, the attachment steel was paper thin and would no longer seal. The manifold was a bear to get off because of corrosion but I got it done with having to replace a couple studs. The driver's side looks way harder. No more code for passenger side (now one for the driver's side though) but the manifold now has a couple cracks in it near bend by the cylinder head. I welded it as best I could without removing it. Just something to know, the aftermarket ones are probably only good for 4 or 5 years. If that's long enough then worth a try. Being in TX should make the job much easier.