Hi,

My cats have gone bad and are throwing codes both side. I was planning on replacing them with the OEM cats until I found out they're $1,100 each.. my final decision was to delete them since I dont have that type of money. Where I am from laws dont require a inspection of cats and so I have decided to go through with this. However, I am wondering if there is a way to bypass the o2 sensors before and after the cat.. so I wont get a code after the cats have been deleted. Ill also remind you I have deleted the resonators and mufflers with 2.25" piping all the way to the back from the cat. I will be installing a hks cat back exhaust after the cat delete. Much appreciated

 

I am kinda in the same boat. Wifey's lex is a 98 and doesn't have to pass emissions. I get a check engine light because of a exhaust leak right at the o2 bung. Cat is still good. but if you are gonna take the exhaust down, then try to have them gutted. i think a long crow bar or pry bar would work... it;s Free lol

 

You can buy replacement OEM-style cats for cheap on ebay. I'm running a pair on my 430 without issues. As for bypassing the sensors, I have no clue how you would do it on the upstream cats but on the downstream ones you could probably install either o2 simulators, or buy some of the spacers that companies make for that purpose.

On the other hand, are you sure it's your cats that have gone bad and not the o2 sensors themselves?

 

I would think you only need to replace the o2 sensors *after* the cats, since the upstream ones won't care or know what's going on after.

It's gonna be quite raspy without any resonators or mufflers AND no cats, just FYI, which can also result in unwanted drone inside the cabin.

 

Just curious:

I'm in Ohio, but doesn't Calif require some CARB number? Anyways, unless its NBD, consider recycling your cats. I was surprised at how much you can get. Its kinda hassle with having to have driver's license scanned, etc. And its another world at jyards!

X2 on getting real-time scan data before fixing what may not be actually broke.

I'm local to Summit Racing and bought Magnaflow drop-in for my Jeep yrs ago.

 

How much did the cats run you? I need to replace both.

 

Hmmm... they were around $350~ish for the pair. I'll see if I can find a link once I'm off work this afternoon.

 

I am interested as well!!

 

Aftermarket is your best bet for sure.

 

My GS400 had the same issue. Threw codes telling me my cats were toast. I asked the shop to try and replace the gaskets on the cats first. It has been around 6 weeks and haven't seen that light since. Best $12 bucks spent!