engelber

I own a 2000 LS400 with 90k miles. Today I found out that I need a new catalytic converter and was quoted $1500 for the part and another $500 for the labor. Online, it looks like non-OEM parts are much much less:

http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts....aspx?kc=ffsku

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Catal...Q5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Magna...Q5fAccessories

Are these that much worse? Any advice here would be much appreciated!

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I needed new cats for my old 97 and used ebay, easy off & easy on, and turned the CEL light off.... no problems.

BUT!! unless you have another fuel problem, I dont think your cats are bad,
mine had 250k and was running rich.

engelber

Does that mean you think it is more likely an exhaust leak?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

if the code is p0430 or similar, check o2 sensors and hunt for an exhaust leak first.

generally speaking, you won't have a cat failure from that code alone.

damon

Hope that your problem is not Cats as suggested above but:

Saw a special on Catco the other day & it looks like a well run company that is certainly up to the task of making a replacement cat.

part #4198 is oem for the front of a first gen LS.

part numbers (left) 4273 & right (4272) are correct for a 2000 model LS. Commonly available in $220 range each & are direct fit. $500.00 for install is outrageuos, btw.

Note: all #'s above are for non-CA emissions!!

gr8wyt

My 97 also needs cats. But needs both. Which ones did you order? I found some on amazon for $48 and wondering if those could work??

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

what leads you to believe you need to replace your cats? they should last the life of the engine if running properly. you most likely have another problem and the cats going bad is just secondary.

wnyjazz

Our street is a gravel road that gets some nasty potholes in the winter, which may have led to the pass side cat cracking in two. Just got a direct fit Magnaflow cat for $169 from with free shipping from Jegs. They didn't make it easy, but they price matched www.adavanceautoparts.com ...(the reviews were better w/Jegs).

Beautiful looking welds on it.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

guys it's a 5 year old thread.

wnyjazz

We don't discriminate based on age.

rick1987

iTrader: (1)

Not sure about the laws in your state, but I also have a CAT code.

I am not going to replace it, my car is a 2000 and I am no longer required to pass emissions.

I also notice if I drive kinda hard, fast acceleration and 80+ on the highway my light shuts off.

If I have the cruise control on at 50-65 my light will come on.

If it gets to the point where I have a clogged cat, I will cut it out, add in a pipe, and get a o2 spacer fit the rear o2. That "should" get rid of the light as the o2 is no longer in the direct airflow.

Willflow

If you drive it hard and have no power loss and no light but drive it easy and have a light then you have either a fuel issue or your o2 isn't getting hot enough and or not reading correctly any longer. Have the o2's ever been replaced? I might look into that if I were you.

Lennon4878

I have a 1995 and wanted to back out o2 sensors as cats not working. Do u know what size threads fit and what did u use for the spacer?

Martin

AlaskanLS

Update on my Headache 400, This morning I found one of the ignition coil is bad. I replaced it with a non OEM but the car still has no power, so I decide to take it to the muffler shop and they told me that it has 3 catalytic converters, two in the front left and right and one in the rear. They were able to install rear with universal Catalytic converter but not the front one. I am waiting for the ECU from eBay, once I replace the ECU and it don't solve the problem then I will replace front two catalytic converter as well.

JetCat

AlaskanLS ... may I suggest to check and see if your coil wires are ok?

As for me, I had one on the driver side short out against the block ... it had been rubbing there for years ... I had no idea this was the case. I was able to do a temp repair on the wire and get the car going again .... however I ended up driving the car for way too long with the busted coil wire, thus dumping raw fuel through the exhaust and thus screwing up my cat on the driver side. I parked my car and stopped using it. Now I am finally getting around to fixing it all up .... so I also need some new cats; in this case I have to buy some that are legal in California.

I wonder what is the highest quality after market unit available? I have no idea, but maybe we can get lucky and someone will chime-in on this ... it sure would help. If it was any other car it probably would not matter so much .... but geeeze ... give me a break ... the actual Lexus replacement is insane, crazy expensive -- -- -- $$$$$$

Anyways ... I would for sure be checking your coil wires .... if I am not mistaken it is actually possible to buy just a single coil wire from your dealer .... if needed.