Hi guys, I want to ask what to do because my 01 montero limited needs the front, driver side catalytic converter and it costs like $800, my question is, Does anibody have any experience with those aftermarket replacements from places like http://www.discountconverter.com, or what should I do, these are though times and if I can save $500 from a factory cat getting the replacement it would be great.

Thank you for your opinion in this matter.

 

I have no direct experience with that company but am in the same boat as you (you're probably getting OBD Code P0431?)

Last year my Rt side cat went out (P0421) and after searching for an aftermarket replacement I ended up paying a dealer to replace it. As I recall at the time all of the aftermarket websites I searched ended up only selling units suitable for the central stratght secondary cat. The small ones we're talking about on each side of the engine are really oddly shaped andintegral to the downpipe.

However this time I've gone to a good independent muffler shop and the owner says they now can get tiny universal units. He has quoted me $350 total to cut and paste it into my downpipe. I'm probably going to go that route but with 170K miles on my truck I'm going to make sure nothing else happens between now and July when it'sdue for inspection. My dealer said there is no danger running it the way it is, other than slightly lower MPG.

So look for a good, creative (hot-rod type) muffler shop and see what they say. Oh, and whatever you do make sure they are careful removing the O2 sensor. When the dealer replaced my rt side cat they claimed the sensor was seized in the hole and had to be destroyed getting it out. Another $200! I'm sure if I had the part at home I could have cut around the threads somehow.

Good Luck.

Ron

 

So what did you end up doing? I have a 2001 montero and the check engine light is going on. My mechanic says its a dealer only thing and is gona cost like 1500$
I miss my Tacoma so bad.

 

are you in CA? its really strict for replacement cats. dealership is $1000+ as mentioned.

find a muffler shop who doesnt care about the laws and weld a universal cat for $100 including the cat.

 

Thanks for the reply . I would do that.

 

this may or may not be an actual issue regarding the check engine light. The check engine light on my 1986 montero has been on for the past 15 yrs...it still runs...with 174,000+ miles...of course there's a little rust...

but I never get stuck anywhere!

p.s.: don't make too many decisions based on the infamous "check engine" light...i'm just sayin'!