Wow Not Even A Dinner And A Movie First?!

AFD256 · July 12, 2007

Wow! I took my truck to get it's inspection and my mechanic said my catalytic converter was going. MY truck is 01 1500 ext cab with 124000+/- miles on it. Said it be around $750 installed. I told him to hold off. I called the dealer (just for laughs) to see they want $850+. Am I wrong or is it bolt on bolt off? I called Napa and he quoted me $480.00 oem. I'm thinking of doing it myself. I loked in the book and it all didn't look that hard. So my questions are 1- Those of you who have changed it how bad is it? any special hints to make it go easy? and last How come the dealer won't offer a dinner and a movie before they "do it to you", who knows maybe I wouldn't be as shocked if they eased me into it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

Chris

Tuf Toy · July 14, 2007

DO a Google search and see what the GM warranty is on Cats. Every manufacturer has to warranty emissions equipment (especially cats ) for extended periods that go far beyond the 3 / 36 the rest of the vehicle topically gets .

AFD256 · July 14, 2007

Thanks-Yeah when I called Gm said 8/80000 DANG IT!!

Tuf Toy · July 15, 2007

OK, so the next step is looking at the entire exhaust system, Is the whole thing shot? Do you want the rig to breath better and sound better ? There are aftermarket exhaust systems (legal ones with high flow cats) and you can probably get the whole thing for the same price as a single stock cat. I'm a big fan of Flowmaster, but there are a bunch of other great exhaust systems outhere, ad you'll feel like you are driving a new rig.

Tuf Toy · July 15, 2007

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Eastern-Cat...1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/products...roducts_id=4075

Snakeking · July 15, 2007

I'm kind of in the same boat. My cats are rattling and the lead tech for the dealership's service team I'm with said it could be tomorrow, next week, next month. So I'm also trying to find out if there is a way to do it myself for cheaper than the dealer. They want $850 to $1000 to do it.

HyperBuzzin · July 15, 2007

For the OEM cat system for my Jimmy they wanted $380.

I just took the sawsall to the pipe and bolted in a universal cat.

Universal cat---- $45.00 (Magna Flow)
clamps-----------$6.50
Adaptor sleeve--- $3.00
Borrowed sawsall--Free
amount saved ----$316

AFD256 · July 16, 2007

I'm kind of in the same boat. My cats are rattling and the lead tech for the dealership's service team I'm with said it could be tomorrow, next week, next month. So I'm also trying to find out if there is a way to do it myself for cheaper than the dealer. They want $850 to $1000 to do it.

When I called NAPA they quoted me $480 for a direct fit, I just don't know if it's easily done. It's "supposably" bolt on bolt off but it's always the case that those bolts will not come off. I repalced my duals with a stainless system after they rotted off, plus my head was throbbing after 5 years of a throaty exhaust. I'm gettig to be an old man at 28

Snakeking · July 17, 2007

Yea, I've run into that lately modding my truck. I tried doing my brakes myself and I couldn't get the bolts off the caliper it was so rusted/tight. The dealer had problems getting them off!

So thats my only worry is that I'll dive in, find bolts that won't come off, and still end up paying $600-$700 total for someone to do it.

Tuf Toy · July 20, 2007

The fix for rusted bolts on exhaust systems is , cut off wheels , sawzalls, and or torches, nothing is worth saving it can all be replaced new for pennies on the $ for labor and time spent. The key to replacing items is to always have new nuts bolts and washers and clamps before you attempt the fit, spray everything with a penetrating spray 2 or 3 times over and hour or so before you attempt to remove anything. If the wench wont work , cut it. The proper tools make almost all jobs easy, and the improper tools make even the easiest job a nightmare.

cvandegna · November 10, 2007

The fix for rusted bolts on exhaust systems is , cut off wheels , sawzalls, and or torches, nothing is worth saving it can all be replaced new for pennies on the $ for labor and time spent. The key to replacing items is to always have new nuts bolts and washers and clamps before you attempt the fit, spray everything with a penetrating spray 2 or 3 times over and hour or so before you attempt to remove anything. If the wench wont work , cut it. The proper tools make almost all jobs easy, and the improper tools make even the easiest job a nightmare.

Any time you are going to be taking off any fasteners that have been heated (like exhaust and brake bolts) you should hit them with PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench and let it soak in for a good 20 minutes. In the case of exhaust bolts - chuck 'em - as mentioned they're cheap enough that you don't wanna worry about stripping them or them rattling later on. As for brake caliper bolts, I always chase the threads of the caliper and the bolts to remove any shmeg and hit em with anti-seize before re-installing.

mooreapi · November 13, 2007

The cats on my 00 Silverado were replaced at around 300K, only due to the fact that running over a deer carcass broke the flange of the exhaust where it bolts to the manifolds. Since the flange part that broke was part of the down tube which has the cats integrated, the dealership replaced both cats (thank god for insurance) and the shift cable (broke where it hooks to trans). total was about $1100.

otherwise, they appeared to have been operating fine.

Rusty crud - PB Blaster (aka Panther Piss) or the smoky wrench

Matt

ws6_guy · November 14, 2007

just buy universal fit hi-flow cats, $90 each and perform better

minibike132 · December 21, 2007

just buy universal fit hi-flow cats, $90 each and perform better

Just from a tech point of view, I have worked at GM dealers for 15 years and in the aftermarket for 5. Go with the oem when it comes to cats. I have been burned too many times going with the cheap model. I am not trying to sell you anything, do what you will but the cheap cat comes with headaches later.

ws6_guy · December 21, 2007

just buy universal fit hi-flow cats, $90 each and perform better

Just from a tech point of view, I have worked at GM dealers for 15 years and in the aftermarket for 5. Go with the oem when it comes to cats. I have been burned too many times going with the cheap model. I am not trying to sell you anything, do what you will but the cheap cat comes with headaches later.

I cant compare cause my truck came with the Hi-Flow cats on it, They are Magnaflow Stainless Steel cats, MAgnaflow makes great stuff, and really helps increase the sound and it doesn't smell bad outside.