High Flow CAT... no thermal sensor needed?

NocalFJ60

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• Nov 23, 2004

• #1

I am thinking of going with a high flow CAT and from what I read you do not need a thermal sensor since it runs cooler. This would save me the money and time to get a thermal sensor and the highflow is about the same price.But I wonder if not having the thermal sensor is legal in CA.

Anyone running a highflow CAT with no thermal sensor? Where did you get it? Part numbers?

THanks

 

S

salvage 60

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• Nov 23, 2004

• #2

I saw this in an old thread, it looks just like the one I got from a local NAPA shop for mine. "...I purchased an after-market cat at www.catalyticonverters.com. It bolted right in and had the port for the thermosensor. " I think for that price it's worth keeping it legal in case the smog police look underneath. good luck

 

mongoman

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Albq NM

• Nov 24, 2004

• #3

I recently replaced my cat on my 85 FJ 60 for high CO (1.5%)at 2500 rpm ....HC was fine. airpump was working well. A NAPA easy to bolt -on regular size cat has 2x the amount of substrate inside. It runs about $85 and solved all the emmissions problems.It doesn't however have a port for the thermal sensor.And after looking at the theory of that thermo switch design 20 years ago I beleive that my clean emmissions at $85 are just as conclusive as spending $850.+for one that has a port for that switch that may or may-not still work!!!.....and to boot , the beast revs up better here at 7000' ft (albq n.m.)

 

NocalFJ60

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• Nov 24, 2004

• Thread starter
• #4

I am going to go by the smog station and ask if I need the thermo sensor to pass the visual test tomorrow.

 

Zack1978

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• Nov 24, 2004

• #5

I don't live in CA, however I am almost 100% sure they will tell you NEED it. Good Luck

 

boerboel313

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San Clemente, CA

• Dec 26, 2004

• #6

I would love to learn more about this subject. I would love getting around having to spend $850 on a new CAT

 

C

craigv

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• Mar 7, 2006

• #7

Greetings, I am new to this web site. I am the orginal owner of a 85' FJ60, 220k miles on it. In December I found out that the catalytic converter was shot. Took it to Mieneke for an aftermarket replacement (did the same in 1997). I had failed DEQ in Oregon 2 times by then. They replace the converter and I failed DEQ again. My mechanic did a tune up, failed on him. I took it to a specialty shop that figured out the the Thermo Sensor had been replaced with and Oxygen Sensor by Mieneke. Evidently they look the same I am told. The Oxygen Sensor is giving incorrect readings to the engine and it is sucking gas. I am back at Mieneke trying to get them to fix the problem. They tell me that and OEM Thermo Sensor runs $450. Mieneke now tells me that the aftermaket Converter, by their specs, is probably too small for the rig and may put a larger one on. I can not run without the Thermo Sensor in Oregon. Any thoughts, ideas, recommendations? besides finding someone other than Mieneke?
thanks

 

2badfjs

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in the garage

• Mar 7, 2006

• #8

GOT MINE FROM MAN A FRE plug and play, has the hole for the sensor. ready to go!

 

Kavik

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• Mar 7, 2006

• #9

I installed a Dynomax hi flo cat. It did not have the bung for the thermo sensor. I was going to cut the bung out of my old cat and weld it in but I got lazy...I zip tied the thermosensor up out of view and emmisioned it. It finally passed! Keep in mind this was the 4th time thru, but 1st time w/ the new cat.

checked every vac hose, valve adj, timing, double checked vac hoses, seafoam treatment, new plugs, new oil, new cat, viola!

Good luck!

 

NorCal60

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Stockton, CA

• Mar 7, 2006

• #10

I did the same as 2badfjs about 3 years ago. A bit pricey but much cheaper than OEM and I wanted one that would bolt right in. I'd shop around for a used sensor just in case, California is pretty strict about those kinda things.

 

2mbb

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• Mar 7, 2006

• #11

I gots a cat from www.catalyticonvers.com for about $160. with the port for the thermosensor. It bolted right in and has allowed me to pass smog for the past two inspections. I just found a cheaper one at www.discountconverters.com for $118. The picture looks the same.

However, if I read your post correctly, you do not currently have the thermosensor. [As far as I know these are no longer availabe from Toyota and the only place to get one would be from a parts vehicle.] edit...this statement may not be true. The toyota pn is 89425-69035. MSRP shows as $460. ouch!

If you were going to try to sneak past the inspection without one, it might be better if your cat didn't have the port. That way it would be less obvious to the inspector that something was missing.

 

Last edited: Mar 7, 2006

60wag

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• Mar 7, 2006

• #12

The thermo sensor doesn't help improve emissions. It simply shuts off the supply of air to the cat if it gets too hot. Its more of a saftey device than an actual control sensor. You can run without one but if you experiance a rich running condition, you might melt the cat. I think its worth using.


BTW I'm running the Manafre cat with the temp port. Works great but not the cheapest solution.