Ditch the cat?

[3rzrunner]

Hi guys I recently purchased a JBA SS cat back system to install on my runner
I was wondering since the "aircare/smog" here in Vancouver is being cancelled
and my aftermarket cat is dead would it be better to run a straight pipe/nocat and a URD O2 simulator in the rear o2 hole and a denso o2 sensor in the front hole, OR buy a new cat $$$ and put a real o2 sensor in the rear.......
o also I have LCE headers.

what should I do????

any opinions would be tons of help
thanks

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Hi guys I recently purchased a JBA SS cat back system to install on my runner
I was wondering since the "aircare/smog" here in Vancouver is being cancelled
and my aftermarket cat is dead would it be better to run a straight pipe/nocat and a URD O2 simulator in the rear o2 hole and a denso o2 sensor in the front hole, OR buy a new cat $$$ and put a real o2 sensor in the rear.......
o also I have LCE headers.

what should I do????

any opinions would be tons of help
thanks

I would run a straight pipe and a URD O2 simulator. Pretty much any aftermarket cat is going to fail after a few years anyway, so I figure why waste the money? I'm sure that in a few years my Magnaflow cat will deteriorate enough to throw a P0420, and at that point, I will just install a URD O2 simulator myself. Note that you do have to have a rear O2 sensor for the URD simulator to function; it essentially intercepts the signal that the rear sensor is sending to the ECU and conditions it so that the ECU thinks that a cat is still present.

Since you are running LCE headers, I recommend purchasing the straight pipe from LCE (it is ceramic coated stainless steel, something that matters since you live in a place where it snows). It will bolt right up to the headers and the JBA exhaust. This should be the part you need.

I am running a replacement Denso front O2 sensor, and that is definitely the way to go. Much cheaper than the one from Toyota, and it is literally exactly the same part. I made a video on installing it, embedded below.

 

[Jon]

YES to that! I did not even know if that was an option. Looks like I've got more things to put on my list! Should free up a couple ponnies too.

 

[paddlenbike]

Please, don't eliminate the cat. Install a $100 universal one and call it done.

 

[thebrandon]

I would. I used to run catless on my WRX. Different vehicle, but it made a heck of a difference.

If you have the option of doing it, save some money and ditch the cat!

 

[3rzrunner]

Please, don't eliminate the cat. Install a $100 universal one and call it done.

why not? any side effects? also a 100$ one will prob. fail after a few years anyway right?

 

[GhostRing]

why not? any side effects? also a 100$ one will prob. fail after a few years anyway right?

I believe it's more of a "don't be gross please" request.

 

[T4R2014]

The reason is that vehicles with the catalytics removed smell AWFUL. I don't think it will make that much of a difference on a 4Runner. It might be okay on a vehicle used strictly off road but on a vehicles that spends time on the streets it is embarrassing.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

The reason is that vehicles with the catalytics removed small AWFUL. I don't think it will make that much of a difference on a 4Runner. It might be okay on a vehicle used strictly off road but on a vehicles that spends time on the streets it is embarrassing.

For what it's worth, one of my friends with a 2RZ Tacoma runs catless with no muffler and the smell really is not too different from my truck with a cat. It's just a slight bit more odoriferous, but nothing that you smell when you're driving behind him or when you're in his truck. Another friend has a 5VZ Tacoma (also catless), and that truck definitely produces that signature smell (think 60s-70s muscle car).

 

[T4R2014]

For what it's worth, one of my friends with a 2RZ Tacoma runs catless with no muffler and the smell really is not too different from my truck with a cat. It's just a slight bit more odoriferous, but nothing that you smell when you're driving behind him or when you're in his truck. Another friend has a 5VZ Tacoma (also catless), and that truck definitely produces that signature smell (think 60s-70s muscle car).

I guess smaller engines may not be as bad. Even still, I know a guy with a catless rice rocket Eclipse that smells like turd. My experience mostly comes from BMW's. Even still, for the environment (not that these trucks focus on eco-friendliness) and for not having a stinky truck I would keep it.

 

[TCMach]

The reason is that vehicles with the catalytics removed small AWFUL. I don't think it will make that much of a difference on a 4Runner. It might be okay on a vehicle used strictly off road but on a vehicles that spends time on the streets it is embarrassing.

I ran two other cars (4.6 V8 mustang, and a 5.7 V8 silverado) catless and they smelled fine. Every engine is different though.

I've heard from a couple people that taking the cat off made a big difference on our 3.4s. Anybody have experience with that?

 

[Runner4liife]

When I bought my 4runner it had a straight pipe (no cat) and it had noticeably better acceleration. I remember being like whoa when I test drove it. Then I got a cat installed and driving back from the shop I couldn't believe the difference. Way less power off the line and going from like 45mph to 65 was slower.

 

[moyechua]

Looks like I've got more things to put on my list! Should free up a couple ponnies too.

 

[Xinirgi]

I am running catless with 2.5" SS piping from the primary O2 sensor back. I have a 12" resonator installed as well as a magnaflow muffler (not sure which model). Low end was unchanged, but mid range to top range has noticeably changed. My major notice was a lot less downshifting on hills (I drive the same route every day to work). Noise wise, it's louder than most. If I remote start it, I can hear it from outside the house, parked in the detached garage or outside parked on the street. Inside it's fine, no drone, no raising your voice necessary. It does smell like gas from the outside however, and also don't even think of rolling down that rear window.

 

[paddlenbike]

why not? any side effects? also a 100$ one will prob. fail after a few years anyway right?

Side effects include a stinky truck, you'll spend just as much money on the URD oxygen sensor simulator as you would buying an aftermarket cat, you'll make the vehicle more difficult to sell and the power gain won't be noticeable on a 4,000 pound truck. But most of all, it's not cool to pollute.

 

[541joseph]

Side effects include a stinky truck, you'll spend just as much money on the URD oxygen sensor simulator as you would buying an aftermarket cat, you'll make the vehicle more difficult to sell and the power gain won't be noticeable on a 4,000 pound truck. But most of all, it's not cool to pollute.

Says the guy that's super charged.