Aftermarket Cats- Let's hear your feedback.

aontkos

aontkos

New member
My 2000 4-Runner (California emissions) has a rattling front cat on startup. I've also heard it rattle a few times when accelerating. I had the classic P0420 code pop up a few times, but it's been gone for quite a while after replacing the oxygen sensor.

For those of you who have bought aftermarket converters, what have the results been? I'm usually all for OEM, but there is absolutely no way I'll pay $1500 to replace it with OEM parts, so I'm trying to figure out how these cheaper alternatives hold up on the long run.

Chime in!
 
Register to hide this ad
aontkos said:
My 2000 4-Runner (California emissions) has a rattling front cat on startup. I've also heard it rattle a few times when accelerating. I had the classic P0420 code pop up a few times, but it's been gone for quite a while after replacing the oxygen sensor.

For those of you who have bought aftermarket converters, what have the results been? I'm usually all for OEM, but there is absolutely no way I'll pay $1500 to replace it with OEM parts, so I'm trying to figure out how these cheaper alternatives hold up on the long run.

Chime in!
Click to expand...

I never bought a regular replacement for a car but have had good luck with magnaflow hi flow converters.

Either way if your non oem fails still way cheaper to replace probably 3 times. The magnaflows cost around $110 last I bought one. If I ever need to swap one thats what I will be doing. Then eliminating rear o2.
 
I bought Walkers freeflow (Cali/federal) full exhaust system from Rockauto $568. From engine back. Granted only 1500 miles, bolted right up well made, galvanized coating is thick should last. long term reviews were good.
 
Last edited:
Another for Magnaflow cats. Was happy enough with mine that I just had one installed on my son's 96.
 
I have a MagnaBlow. They make shitty products in all honesty.

First cat, 2.5" Hi-flow.
The spot welds on the heat shields broke off.
It later failed after 3 years and was replaced free by the vendor I bought it from (LC Engineering).

Second cat:
Also lost its heat shield due to shit welds.
Still smogs okay, but has far less miles than the first, so far.

Lifetime warranty is a plus. Get it through a vendor so you don't have to deal with MagnaFail directly. They're real pricks, and liars from my experience. I work customer service for another automotive brand, Magnaflow's customer service is awful.
 
It's a shame yours rattles. I put Cataclean in my 97 with 258,600 miles on the OEM CAT and the light went out all by itself 150 miles later. Too soon to tell how lasting it will be. I drive 62 miles a day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks for the insight, guys. The Magnaflow units seem to be popular and reasonably priced. The reviews for them on autoanything.com are also pretty good, but I'll wait for some more responses before I dive in.


I bought Walkers freeflow (Cali/federal) full exhaust system from Rockauto $568. From engine back. Granted only 1500 miles, bolted right up well made, galvanized coating is thick should last. long term reviews were good.
Click to expand...

I took a look on rockauto.com and the full exhaust option doesn't seem to exist anymore. While I don't need to replace everything, doing it all for less than $600 is a good deal.

19963.4lsr5 said:
It's a shame yours rattles. I put Cataclean in my 97 with 258,600 miles on the OEM CAT and the light went out all by itself 150 miles later. Too soon to tell how lasting it will be.
Click to expand...

I know, right? It hasn't gotten too bad yet (I'm probably the only one that notices), but I'll be going on a pretty extensive road trip at the end of the summer, so I'd like to swap it out before I run into performance issues far from home.
 
My OEM Cat only lasted from 1999 to 2004. Dealer wanted $1500 for a new one! LMAO! Another place wanted $900. Found a company in the mid west that built them for around $350.
Cats used to be a lot more expensive back in the day. It was still going strong in 2015 when I changed it out for a Hi-Flow Magnaflow Cat to go between my Headers & JBA Hi-Flow exhaust. No complaints yet.
 
This one seems good but it could get in the way when 4x4ing.

daily_gifdump_1365_27.gif
 
aontkos said:
I took a look on rockauto.com and the full exhaust option doesn't seem to exist anymore. While I don't need to replace everything, doing it all for less than $600 is a good deal
Click to expand...

I said kit, (it came in one big box) should of said. I purchased Walker Quiet Flo Exhaust kit, 1st Cat, 2nd cat everything i needed except bolts was there. Muffler is SS. The rest of my comment still stands, bolted up no problems. This was for 01.
My 96 still running original system so Toyota used to make good chit, dont know what they make now.
Did my research before purchase, Magnaflow name you hear alot, word from the street is just like mentioned here 70/30 good/bad. Both my engines are stock so "Hi-flow" not a issue, according to Walker site products are designed with flow in mind.
I live in central Mississippi, no rust/snow belt or third coast salt makes a difference.
 
Last edited:
Put on a Walker cat few years back. Smog check dude said my results looked like a new car's! No complaints here. Only about $170 plus about $30 for muffler shop to weld on.:guitar2:
 
ChildrenOfBodom said:
I have a MagnaBlow. They make shitty products in all honesty.

First cat, 2.5" Hi-flow.
The spot welds on the heat shields broke off.
It later failed after 3 years and was replaced free by the vendor I bought it from (LC Engineering).

Second cat:
Also lost its heat shield due to shit welds.
Still smogs okay, but has far less miles than the first, so far.

Lifetime warranty is a plus. Get it through a vendor so you don't have to deal with MagnaFail directly. They're real pricks, and liars from my experience. I work customer service for another automotive brand, Magnaflow's customer service is awful.
Click to expand...

They must have a changed a bit. I have a magnaflow cat sitting on a high flow 3" exhaust thats been behind my shed for 5 years and was built 15 years ago. And the cat still looks good.

I have heard of issues if you beat on there mufflers but never had an issue with the cats. So if you wheel really hard I could see this happening.
 
I replaced both of my cats with magnaflow and my muffler with the Gibson SS. The magnaflow looks well made and no codes after about 500 miles. However they did not line up quite as good as the factory cats and even though they are listed as direct replacement, the rear cat uses a different O2 sensor than my 2001 stock sensor. I had to buy a older model flange type. That would have been fine if this was included in the notes, but it was not. Still better than OEM due to the price difference.
 
JayRolla said:
I never bought a regular replacement for a car but have had good luck with magnaflow hi flow converters.

Either way if your non oem fails still way cheaper to replace probably 3 times. The magnaflows cost around $110 last I bought one. If I ever need to swap one thats what I will be doing. Then eliminating rear o2.
Click to expand...

96RedRunner said:
I bought Walkers freeflow (Cali/federal) full exhaust system from Rockauto $568. From engine back. Granted only 1500 miles, bolted right up well made, galvanized coating is thick should last. long term reviews were good.
Click to expand...

rkntoy said:
Another for Magnaflow cats. Was happy enough with mine that I just had one installed on my son's 96.
Click to expand...

73Duster440 said:
I have a Flowmaster high flow. Had it put on when I redid my exhaust in 2.5".

https://www.amazon.com/Flowmaster-2...qid=1497498105&sr=1-6&keywords=flowmaster+cat

Have no complaints thus far and would buy again.
Click to expand...

Fella's, I'm a dealer for Magnaflow and flowmaster. My fav so far has been Magnaflow. IF you guys need any of these, call or text me at 717-319-2100 and I'll hook you up. Don't have a problem helping you guys out with a deal.
 
I'm installing both Magnaflow cats and the Walker Quietflow muffler and tailpipe this weekend. Issues so far is like stated before the rear cat o2 bung is incorrect for the 01-02. Just bought a $10 flange since I already bought the o2 sensor. Secondly, the flange coming out of the rear of the rear cat is too big to go into the female end of the Walker muffler. Cut 4 slits in it and tapered the pipe slightly and I'm hoping for the best as far as a good seal. I will get pics as I install Saturday.
 
024rnrSport said:
I'm installing both Magnaflow cats and the Walker Quietflow muffler and tailpipe this weekend. Issues so far is like stated before the rear cat o2 bung is incorrect for the 01-02. Just bought a $10 flange since I already bought the o2 sensor. Secondly, the flange coming out of the rear of the rear cat is too big to go into the female end of the Walker muffler. Cut 4 slits in it and tapered the pipe slightly and I'm hoping for the best as far as a good seal. I will get pics as I install Saturday.
Click to expand...



What are you doing with your old exhaust hanger that bolted to the rear flange of the cat? I lost mine on my 97 while swapping engines.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 472 (members: 1, guests: 471)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,310
Messages
3,554,080
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top