Well, I dropped my car off at my local shop a couple of days ago for an oil change and diff fluid change. I supplied Royal Purple for both. I also, mentioned to them that I had a CEL code spring up on me about 2 months ago and it went off about 2 weeks ago...but I had a funny feeling it was still running in the ECU; so I asked them to check on it. It is a PO430 code - catalyst inefficiency. I had this SAME code pop up last year and changed all my O2 sensors because of it; it DID satisfy the problem but obviously temporarily.

So, now my shop says that eventhough they are finding the right front cat to be the culprit they want to replace both of them because they feel that the front left cat could be on it's way as well. In order for them to perform this service and warranty all they want to replace both...to the tune of $1100 EACH! Plus a couple of hour of labor; so, I am looking at a $2500 bill.

Then, I call Carson Toyota/Lexus...they can get the parts for around $860 each...a good amount of savings but my shop said that they are against installing and warrantying parts that they do not order directly. So, this may be out...unless I can "ask" them to order the OEM cats directly from Carson Toyota/Lexus.

I HAD NO IDEA that a broken/blocked cat can cause transmission problems as well! They told me this and then I researched it; it holds true. The backpressure gets so messed up that it effects the shifting of the tranny which can lead to failure. Plus, not to mention that with a blown cat you get BAD gas mileage (which I am getting).

Silver lining = better gas mileage, assured that my tranny won't F-up because of it and perhaps better performance.

Are there any suggestions or different routes that you guys can recommend?

 

the cats on your aftermarket exhaust are already going?? is that what im understanding here...
looks like you also have S&S headers, so are they going in them, if so id contact them and talk to them.

 

Hey rock, I suggest searching around for different shops. That's really expensive, also look at buying som aftermarket high flow cats, better performance and cheaper. Good luck!

 

There are no cats in s&s aftermarket headers.

 

so then its his exhaust, id 100% after high flow cats, and get them welded in. call it a done deal, ive done this to a few of my cars.

and def shop around, like posted up above.

 

If your cats are plugged then it's time to replace them. I think Magnaflow company might have them if not then you might have to go with oem. Gl.

 

There are NO cats inside the S&S headers!...and my Borla Exhaust is a rear section only. Even if it was a full exhaust, exhaust systems NEVER come with cats iirc.

 

The thing is I read up on and spoke to some (experienced) CL members here such as Jbrady and I recall him mentioning that more often than none, the OEM cats are almost ALWAYS higher flowing units than the so-called "high performance" hi-flo AFTERMARKET cats. Plus, there is NO guarantee that the codes will be cleared when an aftermarket cat is installed...then I would need to install an oem anyways.

 

Hmmm.. is there such thing as an o2 fooler, like the GS300 where you can fool the 02s to read always normal when going with NA-T swaps and such.

 

A member posted this sometime ago. It might be a good option.

http://www.converterwarehouse.com/ca...=8&Model=GS400

 

there is, id invest in that!! there not expensive at all ive got one in my GS, i think it was maybe $60?

 

Probably referring to O2 simulator, I had it on the maxima. It cost me about 80 bucks. I was able to pass inspection with it.

 

^ yeah, but aren't those simulators for O2 sensors only? I don't know if they make a "catalytic converter simulator" lol.

 

honestly..don't know, not a mechanic but after the install of my SS headers my CEL came on.

 

i have this code as well. i am going to replace all my o2's first though