Which Aftermarket Catalytic Converter To Buy for es300?

[Mark]

I have a 97 ES300 with 114K miles on it. I have a CEL with P0420 code,
catalyst efficiency below threshold. I have replaced the cat twice
with aftermarket ones. In both cases, the CEL came back after a couple
of months with the same code. So looks like the previous ones were
garbage.

In earlier cases, I had the mechanic install the cat. I don't know
which ones he was installing. Now, I want to buy a cat myself and have
him install.

For those who have had this problem before, and put an aftermarket
cat, can you advice on which is the best aftermarket cat to buy that
will work and not bring on the CEL/P0420?

I don't want to put a OEM cat from the dealer as it will cost me $1.5K
+, so I want to settle down with a aftermarket cat, but of superior
quality.

Please advise which is the best aftermarket cat to buy.

Thank you.

[Ray O]

Post by Mark
I have a 97 ES300 with 114K miles on it. I have a CEL with P0420 code,
catalyst efficiency below threshold. I have replaced the cat twice
with aftermarket ones. In both cases, the CEL came back after a couple
of months with the same code. So looks like the previous ones were
garbage.
In earlier cases, I had the mechanic install the cat. I don't know
which ones he was installing. Now, I want to buy a cat myself and have
him install.
For those who have had this problem before, and put an aftermarket
cat, can you advice on which is the best aftermarket cat to buy that
will work and not bring on the CEL/P0420?
I don't want to put a OEM cat from the dealer as it will cost me $1.5K
+, so I want to settle down with a aftermarket cat, but of superior
quality.
Please advise which is the best aftermarket cat to buy.
Thank you.

Most aftermarket cats have a short life, and I am not aware of any that have
matched the performance of the OEM one. If you have paid for 3
aftermarket cats, you are probably approaching or have exceeded what you
would have paid if you installed an OEM one in the first place.

If you want to continue to try aftermarket, try sticking to name brands like
Walker.

[Elmo P. Shagnasty]

Post by Ray O

Post by Mark
I have a 97 ES300 with 114K miles on it. I have a CEL with P0420 code,
catalyst efficiency below threshold. I have replaced the cat twice
with aftermarket ones. In both cases, the CEL came back after a couple
of months with the same code. So looks like the previous ones were
garbage.
In earlier cases, I had the mechanic install the cat. I don't know
which ones he was installing. Now, I want to buy a cat myself and have
him install.
For those who have had this problem before, and put an aftermarket
cat, can you advice on which is the best aftermarket cat to buy that
will work and not bring on the CEL/P0420?
I don't want to put a OEM cat from the dealer as it will cost me $1.5K
+, so I want to settle down with a aftermarket cat, but of superior
quality.
Please advise which is the best aftermarket cat to buy.
Thank you.

Most aftermarket cats have a short life, and I am not aware of any that have
matched the performance of the OEM one. If you have paid for 3
aftermarket cats, you are probably approaching or have exceeded what you
would have paid if you installed an OEM one in the first place.

It's the cheapest man who spends the most.

Post by Ray O
If you want to continue to try aftermarket, try sticking to name brands like
Walker.

He could also find a low-mile unit from a junkyard. OEM, and he knows
about how much life it probably has in it based on his 110K miles or so
life of his original unit.

[Mark]

Post by Ray O
If you want to continue to try aftermarket, try sticking to name brands like
Walker.

He could also find a low-mile unit from a junkyard.  OEM, and he knows
about how much life it probably has in it based on his 110K miles or so
life of his original unit.

It is illegal for a junkyard to sell a catalytic converter, or any
other emission part. So that option is ruled out unless a junkyard is
willing to break the law or I personally know someone in the junkyard.
I already tried that option the very first time and had no luck. No
junkyard was willing to sell me a cat as it is illegal.

[Mark]

Post by Ray O
Most aftermarket cats have a short life, and I am not aware of any that have
matched the performance of the OEM one.    If you have paid for 3
aftermarket cats, you are probably approaching or have exceeded what you
would have paid if you installed an OEM one in the first place.
If you want to continue to try aftermarket, try sticking to name brands like
Walker.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Is this the walker cat you are recommending ?
http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/ProductDetail.do?id=203580413

There is also a "direct fit" model on rockauto.com that is
significantly expensive. I will be taking it to a exhaust shop who
will weld it in, so I don't care whether it is direct fit or not? Any
idea whether this direct fit will be superior in quality than the
walker universal?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1187399,parttype,5808

[Ray O]

Post by Ray O
Most aftermarket cats have a short life, and I am not aware of any that have
matched the performance of the OEM one. If you have paid for 3
aftermarket cats, you are probably approaching or have exceeded what you
would have paid if you installed an OEM one in the first place.
If you want to continue to try aftermarket, try sticking to name brands like
Walker.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Is this the walker cat you are recommending ?
http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/ProductDetail.do?id=203580413

There is also a "direct fit" model on rockauto.com that is
significantly expensive. I will be taking it to a exhaust shop who
will weld it in, so I don't care whether it is direct fit or not? Any
idea whether this direct fit will be superior in quality than the
walker universal?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1187399,parttype,5808
***************
The link to the O'Reilly Auto didn't work and when I searched their site, i
came up with several different Walker cats. The Rockauto site also listed
several different cats.

I wouldn't expect a cat that retails for under $200 to work. If a supplier
like Walker offers several different "grades," get the best you can afford.

The catalyst in catalytic converters contains platinum, which is expensive.
To get prices down, aftermarket catlytic converter makers skimp on the
platinum, and less platinum reduces the effectiveness of the cat.

[Mark]

Post by Ray O
The link to the O'Reilly Auto didn't work and when I searched their site, i
came up with several different Walker cats.  The Rockauto site also listed
several different cats.
I wouldn't expect a cat that retails for under $200 to work.  If a supplier
like Walker offers several different "grades," get the best you can afford.
The catalyst in catalytic converters contains platinum, which is expensive.
To get prices down, aftermarket catlytic converter makers skimp on the
platinum, and less platinum reduces the effectiveness of the cat.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Rock auto has a Walker universal (part # 15052) for $66.99 and a
direct fit (part # 50415) for $287.99. I think the direct fit might
still be using the same universal cat, just that it is a direct fit
for my car and doesn't require welding. I will call rock auto to see
if they can confirm this.

OReilly auto has the same walker universal (15052) for $78.99. They
also have a walker premium (#15064). This cat is not sold online and I
don't have OReilly stores in my area. I live in Connecticut, near the
NY border. I'll try some local auto stores here and see if they carry
this cat.

[Ray O]

Post by Ray O
The link to the O'Reilly Auto didn't work and when I searched their site, i
came up with several different Walker cats. The Rockauto site also listed
several different cats.
I wouldn't expect a cat that retails for under $200 to work. If a supplier
like Walker offers several different "grades," get the best you can afford.
The catalyst in catalytic converters contains platinum, which is expensive.
To get prices down, aftermarket catlytic converter makers skimp on the
platinum, and less platinum reduces the effectiveness of the cat.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Rock auto has a Walker universal (part # 15052) for $66.99 and a
direct fit (part # 50415) for $287.99. I think the direct fit might
still be using the same universal cat, just that it is a direct fit
for my car and doesn't require welding. I will call rock auto to see
if they can confirm this.

*****************
From looking at Walker's web site:
http://www.walkerexhaust.com/products/converters.asp it looks like the
direct fit and iniversal cats are basically the same internally, with the
difference being that the direct fit does not require welding and the direct
fit uses thicker materials.

[j***@hotmail.com]

If a new aftermarket converter lasts only a couple of months then the
manufacturer wouldn't not be in business.

You also need to make sure it's not the Denso oxygen sensor damaging
the cats: make sure the engine is properly tuned (valve clearances,
timing belt, spark plugs, etc).

Post by Mark
I have a 97 ES300 with 114K miles on it. I have a CEL with P0420 code,
catalyst efficiency below threshold. I have replaced the cat twice
with aftermarket ones. In both cases, the CEL came back after a couple
of months with the same code. So looks like the previous ones were
garbage.
In earlier cases, I had the mechanic install the cat. I don't know
which ones he was installing. Now, I want to buy a cat myself and have
him install.
For those who have had this problem before, and put an aftermarket
cat, can you advice on which is the best aftermarket cat to buy that
will work and not bring on the CEL/P0420?
I don't want to put a OEM cat from the dealer as it will cost me $1.5K
+, so I want to settle down with a aftermarket cat, but of superior
quality.
Please advise which is the best aftermarket cat to buy.
Thank you.