2005 Cat Converter replacement- 200k

If the converter honeycomb is clogged or melted, you can have a definite driveability issue. If you find yourself on 1 bar of battery and can only make 40 mph going over a pass, then you definitely need to get it replaced.

Aftermarket catalytic converters are available for about $300 (except California). They bolt right up -- it is very simple.

 

No issue whatsoever with waiting, as long as you do not notice impairment. I definitely recommend an aftermarket cat on a vehicle with that much mileage. Expect to pay about $600 for this job at an independent shop (they will mark up the aftermarket cat to ~$450-$500).

 

So, I found out today that I have a completely clogged Catalytic Converter. I won't say that I live in California, but I do have a Nevada Shipping location set up. Is there any reason that an aftermarket bolt in replacement would not work in a Prius that was originally sold in California? I expect that there isn't and this is just some more of the Fringe BS of the CARB...but before I pull the trigger, I thought I'd check.

thanks Much
Lance

 

California has very stringent requirements for aftermarket catalytic converters and it is illegal to install a CC not certified for use in CA. You can expect that the aftermarket CC will "work" but you should expect that its lifetime will be relatively short compared to the original equipment part.

 

What would be different in a CA 2004 Prius vs a non CA 2004 Prius vis-a-vis the Catalytic Converter? Also, when your say a shorter lifetime, what would the expectation be? I got 265K on the OE System. Would I get 50% from an aftermarket? Considering the cost of the CA system, I'd have to get less than 20% lifetime before I start losing. I can do the Aftermarket for $300. I would have to pay $2000 to do it the CARB way.

With the expectation that I will be putting at most another 12 mos into this vehicle, is there downside to the Aftermarket Catalytic Converter?

thanks Much
Lance

 

There is no difference between a CA 2004 Prius vs. a 2004 Prius sold in other states.

By short lifetime, I mean 30K miles. Since your planned ownership period is only 12 months, you probably will be OK.

 

Just curious... the brand of the aftermarket cat was never specified, yet you've already predicted it's lifetime. Care to divulge your reasoning here?

@Lance: depending on the shop that smogs your car... while the laws are very clear about what you can and can't bolt into your car, the techs aren't always savvy enough to know what every factory part looks like in every car they smog. As long as your cat isn't powder coated or blinged out, it probably won't catch enough attention to warrant a second look. That is, if the tech even checks the cat.

 

My thinking is that since the aftermarket catalytic converter does not qualify for State of California certification, and such certification only requires a 5 year/50,000 mile warranty, it would not be reasonable to expect a lengthy life from that part. Apparently this is not a concern to Lance who does not plan to own the Prius much longer, and therefore initial purchase cost is more important than the ultimate longevity of the part.

http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResources/ftp/pdfdocs/ARSC-summer08.pdf

 

OK, first off, at the moment, Prii are exempt from the smog program. This is supposed to change in 11 months but may take longer.

Secondly, you are 110% correct about most smog technicians not being able to verify correct catalytic converter fitment, however, this will be changing some day in the future. If lance were in California, the ONLY legal repair at the moment would be to replace with a NEW, OE converter. Even though the sale of used converters is illegal, I often see people being able to purchase them. If Lance were to find a used converter, which I'm sure is possible, and have it shipped to NV and then put it on his car, he would be braking the law. I would be amazed if he were caught, really amazed. If he were to stop by his local Prius wrecking yard with CASH and no need for a receipt, and acquired a used converter, I would not be amazed. Either way, come smog time, the tech will not know the difference.

A little while ago I heard a story about a Prius having increased MPG following catalytic converter replacement.

 

That would be reasonable if the original cc was plugged up, preventing exhaust gases from freely flowing out.