Need to replace catalytic converter
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
Need to replace catalytic converter
I have a bad catalytic converter causing O2 sensor codes and check engine light on my '02Z. Car is all stock and I'd like to keep it as close to that as possible. What's my best fix?
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
Well if you live in California or New York you will have to replace your cat with a CARB certified one…pretty expensive !!…what DTC do you have that makes you believe the cat is faulty ??
Race Director
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2015
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Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
Thanks for the video. That's good info. I had previous misfire codes due to aftermarket plug wires that wouldn't stay seated. Replaced with Delco and no issues until this. This code popped up later the same day after sorting out the plug wire issue.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,365
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From: New Jersey
How long did you drive around with the engine misfiring? That can ruin a catalytic converter. When the Cat is bad, a scanner that can plot o2 sensor voltages, will show that the rear o2 is switching in sync with the front sensor. There are other issues that can cause this. Knowing what the o2 sensors are doing is a data point that can help troubleshoot the issue.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
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From: Northville, MI
As I recall there are two aftermarket companies that have stock mid pipes with cats, one is Catco and the other, I believe is Magnaflow. I went with the Catco and no problems on the install.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
How long did you drive around with the engine misfiring? That can ruin a catalytic converter. When the Cat is bad, a scanner that can plot o2 sensor voltages, will show that the rear o2 is switching in sync with the front sensor. There are other issues that can cause this. Knowing what the o2 sensors are doing is a data point that can help troubleshoot the issue.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 414
From: New Jersey
Probably not. Driving around for a long time with continuous misfiring will, since it over heats the CATs. It depends on how many cylinders and how hard it was being driven. If you get a scanner that can plot the o2 sensor voltages you can see if the rear sensor is switching in sync with the front. If it is the CATs probably bad.
Last edited by C5MSG2004Vert; Jul 23, 2022 at 08:24 AM.
