How do you replace the catalytic converter?

Jusone36 · Apr 17, 2006

So I went to the dealership after having the CEL on for almost a year, and they said it threw the O2 sensor and the catalytic converter codes. And of course, they quoted me $1300 for parts and labor.

I am over 80K miles so the dealer won't do it for free. I did some research and was able to find the OEM parts $200 cheaper online than going through the dealership. I also did some research here and found that this appears to be a common issue on the celica; but I never found any instructions on how to DIY.

Does anyone have any diagrams or instructions in removing converter (rear pipe) and both gaskets? How difficult is this?

Any feedback would truly be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Curt705 · Apr 17, 2006

It isn't too difficult at all...especially if you have access to a lift.....

beAn908 · Apr 17, 2006

i have the same problem, im going to the dealer tommorrow for some recalls, but i dont feel like paying the $45 for them to plug in a diagnostic... im still under 80k , but im mine threw a running too lean cel, a o2 sensor and the cat not running at something or other.... . if you go to any muffler place they should put a new cat on for under $250 parts and labor. (mufflers for less in miami quoted me $240 for parts and labor). keep me updated on what you do , since i may or may not have this issue covered under warranty depending on what it is....

Jesse IL · Apr 17, 2006

Holy ish...Luna! What the hell have you been up to? :wave:

What you should do is find a reputable muffler shop, measure the size of the piping before and after the cat, then get a universal one with the same inlet and outlet dimensions from Random Technologies or some place like that. Then just have the exhaust shop cut the stock one out and weld the new one in.

6speedGTS · Apr 17, 2006

Depending on how much longer you are going to hold on to your Celica, sometimes it's better to buy OEM as in my experience stuff from muffler shops don't last very long.

techgeekwill · Apr 17, 2006

i think if you buy a cat from midas, you will get a lifetime warranty, so if it doesnt last long, you would get it replaced.

ttbbsolid · Apr 17, 2006

i got magnaflow cat new at $50 on ebay, and installed it $50 in local muffler shop.
20 min work.

S|Lv3rBu||et · Apr 18, 2006

ttbbsolid said:
i got magnaflow cat new at $50 on ebay, and installed it $50 in local muffler shop.
20 min work.

:stupid:

Curt705 · Apr 18, 2006

Just do your exhaust yourself and leave the cat off...

Jusone36 · Apr 19, 2006

Jesse IL said:
Holy ish...Luna! What the hell have you been up to? :wave:

What you should do is find a reputable muffler shop, measure the size of the piping before and after the cat, then get a universal one with the same inlet and outlet dimensions from Random Technologies or some place like that. Then just have the exhaust shop cut the stock one out and weld the new one in.

whaddup! yeah, i've been gone for sometime, but i'm still around. i've done some searching, and if i'm not mistaken the pipe size if 2.5, but i'm kinda concerned with welding a universal product...it's like a tattoo practically.

6speedGTS said:
Depending on how much longer you are going to hold on to your Celica, sometimes it's better to buy OEM as in my experience stuff from muffler shops don't last very long.

i'm actually almost up in paying off the car, and would like to hold onto for at least another year and save up some dough. i would like to be able to step up, and buy a M3, and also planning a wedding so it may take some time before i get another car. i'm still battling whether to go through the dealer, but at least i know i can get the parts $200 cheaper through an online texas dealership.

ttbbsolid said:
i got magnaflow cat new at $50 on ebay, and installed it $50 in local muffler shop.
20 min work.

started thinking about this. i've read people using either magnaflow or dynomax. how's the quality and life on those things? did it require any welding or was it plug & play?

Curt705 said:
Just do your exhaust yourself and leave the cat off...

i've gotten this suggestion but i don't want to sound rice like coming down the street. not only that, the city i live in getting stricter on sound laws, and i've aready gotten a ticket for my TRD exhaust being too loud. can you believe that??

thanks guys. i'll keep checking on your responses on my responses.

swyn · Apr 19, 2006

try to change ur O2 sensor first, thats what i did, drove for a while and the CEL is gone.

Jusone36 · Apr 19, 2006

swyn said:
try to change ur O2 sensor first, thats what i did, drove for a while and the CEL is gone.

well i've had the o2 sensor code on for over a year and just recently got the converter code. the dealer said that the o2 is probably fried from the converter. still debating...

techgeekwill · Apr 19, 2006

stop debating. get it done.

Celi702 · Apr 19, 2006

its a freaken cat it dont do much. Unless your 100% street racer. I went to muffler shop 02 sensor was burned and got my TRD exhaust + new cat welded on for $130. No thats not including new 02.

ttbbsolid · Apr 19, 2006

Jusone36 said:
started thinking about this. i've read people using either magnaflow or dynomax. how's the quality and life on those things? did it require any welding or was it plug & play?

no cel so far.. it's been almost 6 months. no noticeble power gain or loss.
the guy at muffler shop welded this new cat to the pipe after he welded out the original cat. it was very quick..took like 10 min for just welding part.
don't spend too much money on cat... go with magnaflow..
good luck whatever your decision is.

Jusone36 · Apr 20, 2006

i think i'm going to go with jesse's idea.

phaqgm · Apr 21, 2006

Jusone36 said:
i think i'm going to go with jesse's idea.

LUNA! :wave:

I would also highly recommend that you just get a high-flow cat, and have a muffler shop cut out the old one, and weld in the new one. There's nothing plug and play about the cat on the Celica. The reason it will cost so much from Toyota is that it's all one pipe from the header collector to where the muffler bolts up. Technically, it'd be plug in play, but the pipe is abut 3/4 the length of your car.

Jusone36 · Apr 21, 2006

phaqgm said:
Jusone36 said:

i think i'm going to go with jesse's idea.

Click to expand...

LUNA! :wave:

I would also highly recommend that you just get a high-flow cat, and have a muffler shop cut out the old one, and weld in the new one. There's nothing plug and play about the cat on the Celica. The reason it will cost so much from Toyota is that it's all one pipe from the header collector to where the muffler bolts up. Technically, it'd be plug in play, but the pipe is abut 3/4 the length of your car.

Hey Tim! I hope all is well

i already ordered a mangaflow cat ($52) & a rear denso o2 sensor OE ($102). i got a quote of $80 of labor at a meineke.

How do you replace the catalytic converter?

Jusone36

Curt705

beAn908

Jesse IL

6speedGTS

techgeekwill

ttbbsolid

S|Lv3rBu||et

Curt705

Jusone36

swyn

Jusone36

techgeekwill

Celi702

ttbbsolid

Jusone36

phaqgm

Jusone36

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