Those of u who have one of these how long has/did it last?

Need to replace my OE precat but not sure if these aftermarket ones are decent. Not going down the gutting route

 

I am quite interested in your experience.
Recently replaced both pre-cats with OEM parts. $2300 installed. My mechanic told me this is the only legal way in CA. Adding insult to the injury, the warranty is only 12 months - didn't know this until the installation was done.
The only good thing about this whole episode with OEM parts is that the car runs better - a lot better. It revs up so smooth and runs very strong.

 

Eastern makes cats that are CARB approved, can be used in CA, and they come with a 5yr/50,000 mile warranty, both can be had for around $400 total. Obviously the factory cats are a crap-shoot as they deteriorate and become unusable and aftermarket units follow the same path, but at least they have the 5 yr warranty.
Most become annoyed, want the least expensive fix and use the plug non-foulers. Unless the cats are clogged, one won't see any performance difference.

 

Turbo, I wish I knew all this last fall.

I got into my predicament through a series of mis-steps. First, I assumed that having one incomplete monitor is acceptable for passing the CA smog check. This was a correct assumption, but only until last summer or so when the law was abruptly changed. The result was that I failed on my first attempt. Next, I concluded (on the basis of older evidence) that only the front pre-cat is bad and decided to replace it with an OEM part ($990 parts and labor). Afterwards, I was surprised as I was still unable to "complete" the CAT monitor. At that time, I decided to see a dealer as neither my mechanic nor myself have the tool to diagnose accurately; guess what, it turned out that the other pre-cat was also bad. By then, I was running into time limits with the smog check for renewing my licence plate and I just threw in the towel.

Re. the Eastern pre-cat: Are you sure is a "direct fit"? (I couldn't find any for sale or shipable to California). Also, how does the 5-yr warranty work? (if you have a link, I would appreciate it)

 

I currently am about to replace my bank 1 pre cat i believe its next to the firewall. Rockauto has a decent quality looking pre cat for about $160 and it also has the studs in it, so im going with that one. Now the other pre cat i may just get it off ebay.

 

gutted, and wired a o2 sensor and no codes, and cats appear stock and rusty

5th gen rear precat is a biosch tho when compared to 5.5 gen rear, so i don't blame you not wanting to do that.. and your state being super strict...

keep us posted on how you find your solution

 

thanks guys. will go with the non carb approved eastern one for my 01 AE. didnt know they had a good warranty !

 

Since your shopping, BOSAL makes a front pre-cat as well. Mine's been on about 4-years no issues.

 

great to hear you guys have good experience with aftermarket precats

 

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...al-precat.html

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...ld-vs-new.html

 

im going with the eastern brand rear pre cat from rock auto, its $160 on rock auto, not too bad unless anyone knows somewhere else reasonable. labor at the exhaust shop is $200 to install.

 

That's not bad for labor at all. What's their hourly rate?

 

Im not sure of their hourly rate but this shop specializes in exhaust work, and all of their workers own souped up mustangs. they said it would only be 2 hours of work even with my rusty pre cat bolts lol.

 

got the eastern precat yesterday. looks solid

was able to get the 6 bolts and two nuts holding the precat in place off with ease. my car is a west coast car so luckily absolutely no rust. however I can't get the damn precat to slide off. I feel it sliding around in it's place but I think the metal gasket on the bottom part towards the muffler is keeping it in position and doesn't let it fal down. tried a screwdriver and couldnt get it off. couldn't get a pry bar in between either. any tips? should I loosen the rest of the exhaust to wiggle it around more? I'm assuming the two studs that had the nuts on them don't need to come off, correct?

 

thanks for update, i am sorry i have no tips myself on getting that off, to make it any better my north easter exposed precats were originals of 15 years, and it took a shop 8 hours to remove and replace my precats with "new" gutted ones.

 

if you have rust then I can see why this could be a PITA. if there is no rust the it's a very simple bolt on and off.


I was able to get it installed today. surprisingly my OEM cat was still intact even though I had the dreaded code. i was not able to get the metal piece that goes above the mesh gasket on the eastern one due to design difference. hopefully this doesn't cause a leak. didn't hear/smell anything out of the ordinary however it does make a HSSS sound but I think that's just my airbox that's louder on cold start. we'll see down the line how it plays out..

 

nice man cant wait to get mine replaced im gonna have the shop replace the rear precat, and install new bolts on the front, so if it does go bad later on next time i can remove it myself.