Installing an after market Canadian Cat Converter

Well, this is how to install an aftermarket Cat Converter for a 2008 Prius, and hopefully get rid of that nasty p0420 code. And it is fairly easy if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.

1. Unplug the o2 sensor which is located on the right side of the center hump under the carpet just under the cigarette power outlet. You have to pull the carpet out of the way to get to the sensor plug. Disconnect it and slide it through the hole in the floor board after pushing out the rubber seal. Then unscrew the o2 sensor.

2. remove the two bolts holding the cat to the manifold. The only problem you will probably have in doing so, is that those bolts are usually very rusty and frozen. Best to first soak with PB Blaster, and then heat them hot with a propane torch. And then very slowly try to work the bolts free. You will need a 14MM socket on a long extension to reach the bolts. Take your time and be patient, otherwise you may break those bolts and that will not be good. You can discard the rusty bolt and springs, as the new cat comes with them, along with a new donut seal. But the OEM one you should reuse if it is in good shape, as it will seal better than the aftermarket one!

3. Once the cat is unscrewed from the manifold, unscrew the air/fuel sensor from the cat and just let it hang there.

4. Measure where you need to cut the cat off from the pipe leading to the resonator! I I cut off the pipe using a Chicago Electric 3 inch high speed Electric cut-off tool that I purchased from Harbor Freight for only $8 on sale.



5. Slide the rear cat pipe over the resonator pipe and clamp tight with the clamp that came with the new cat! and make sure you connect the cat hanger through the rubber hanger. If you have trouble, grease the cat hanger so it will easily slide into the rubber hanger.

4. Screw in the Air/Fuel sensor into the cat.

5. Take your new o2 sensor and screw it into the cat pipe. then work the plug and wire up through the hole in the floor board and push the rubber seal to seat in the hole. Plug it into the connector and cover it back up with the carpet.

6. place the donut seal onto the manifold and line up the front cat pipe with the two holes in the manifold. Take the two new bolts inside the springs and start screwing the cat to the manifold and torque to 32 foot lbs.

And that be it--you are done. Clear the code and hope you will never see another P0420 code.

 

it's actually a pretty easy DIY job and save $175+!