Confirm?: Can one universal catalytic converter replace the dual OEM setup? 97 LX

[Bshane]

Speaking if catalytic converters, I need a new muffler... Sounds simple, right? But the owner of a recommended indie muffler shop tells me the reason the pipe has separated from my muffler must be that the catalytic converters are clogged, creating a blowback that, over time, separated the pipe from the muffler... I don't know if this is true or not, but assuming it is, he says I need to replace the catalytic converters as well as the muffler - way more money than I want to spend! Is there a way to test the catalytic converters, to see if they really are clogged? If they are clogged, I'm wondering if any Texas members know if my '95 Land Cruiser would pass inspection with a single universal catalytic converter? I tried researching the question online but don't have enough depth of knowledge to understand the text on the DPS site. Thanks.

 

[profro]

look inside of them... It is a honeycomb and light should be able to pass through.

I had my dual cats replaced with a single and a new muffler installed a local shop for a couple hundred bucks. Easy.

 

[inkpot]

I am running a single cat with no codes in Az. My 97 only requires an OBD II plug and play, no visual inspection. Passes every time. Your results may vary.

 

[Parsnip]

I am running a single cat with no codes in Az. My 97 only requires an OBD II plug and play, no visual inspection. Passes every time. Your results may vary.

Ditto except I'm in GA and they do check that there is a cat under there using a mirror on a pole.

 

[RDC76]

In mass if it's older than 15 years it only has to pass a safety inspection. On my 95 I cut the cats out and replaced it with a long cherry bomb tube muffler and cut the pipe again in front of the muffler and was able to rotate everything up tighter to the body. I panted the cherry bomp with flat black high temp paint so it didn't look bad. The muffler was long enough to span where the cats were. I still need to add a flex joint though before the y pipes. The muffler was cheap like 30 bucks if I can remember and 10 bucks for the paint. You could use clamps but I welded mine. It's been a year and no codes. The reason for the muffler was to try and quiet it down some more and not look like just a straight pipe. It could visually pass as a performance cat. For the money it's a great fix until I decide to build/buy an exhaust system. The exhaust on these trucks are obscenely expensive and Its the only thing on these trucks I really hate. So many bends and pieces! Hope this helps somebody that doesn't have to pass smog and just wants a cheap fix idea. It's cheap and doesn't hang below the frame any more.

 

[alia176]

A single cat will work and remember our rigs are so old that the cats have lost their efficiency anyway. Magnaflow site has good info and what you need.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

FWIW, I've been running a gutted Magnaflow Y-Pipe cat and a gutted Bosal cat for the last ~40k miles and have yet to throw a code

OEM O2's still show different readings and she has a bit more umph than when I was running cats

No smog in FL, but I actually ran the OBD2 emissions drive monitors at our shop here in NY and she passed with ease

 

[azt4r]

I am running a single cat with no codes in Az. My 97 only requires an OBD II plug and play, no visual inspection. Passes every time. Your results may vary.

Hey John - I'm bringing back an ancient thread here but what shop did your exhaust work? I think I'm going to go this route to get rid of the P0420 rather than just replacing the O2 sensors

 

[inkpot]

Hey John - I'm bringing back an ancient thread here but what shop did your exhaust work? I think I'm going to go this route to get rid of the P0420 rather than just replacing the O2 sensors

I used Apache Muffler in downtown Mesa. I also had them route my pipe over the frame like a 93-94. I still get an occasional 420 code, but not hard to clear with an Ultra Gauge.

 

[jatree]

Hi all - I have a 96 and am thinking of going to a single cat after measuring high back pressure (and losing an EGR vacuum modulator previously). I don't really see any reason to change the y-pipe prematurely (please correct me if I'm wrong) so what are some good single-cat options?

I see both bolt-in and weld-in options from Magnaflow with front and rear options. What would be the best choice to keep things as stock as possible? aka not cutting off any flanges and keeping O2 sensors where they are.

And here's an option from Walker

I'm looking for quality and longevity not necessarily ease of install as I'll be having a muffler shop do it. I also seem to have some sort of aftermarket muffler on there so if there are any good options to replace that with something close to stock (quiet) - that would be helpful.

 

[jatree]

I feel comfortable trying a single cat but can't decide between a universal like Magnaflow 99006HM or replacing the Y-pipe + Cat with something like a Magnaflow 23120. The cat alone is half the price and I can't see any leaks or damage on my Y-pipe -- what's a good life expectancy? Trying to decide if changing it in advance is worth it as developing a crack later would mean I'd be buying something with a cat attached anyway (unless y-pipes are sold separately I guess). One thing holding me back on the 23120 is all the reports of people receiving poorly fitting Bosal stuff.

 

[NKP Garage]

Definitely worth replacing the entire y-pipe with a new one that includes cats. if it isn't cracked/corroded yet it will be soon and then you'll have to replace it again. Not worth the hassle.