Catalytic Convertor Brands

[86GmLsCoupe]

I'm getting ready to replace the two 3 yr old catalytic old converters on my car because they have been rattling like crazy for over year and its finally starting to get to me. I have AP/Apex ones on there know and it's looking like I can't get a warranty replacement because the car still passes emissions, though I still have to look into that some. So I'm just looking for a direct fit replacement cat thats hopefully built a little better, the car has a 3 yr old very good condition stock walker dual setup on it now. What brands should I be looking at? Catco, Magnaflow, Walker, Eastern? Also, if you've had any good/bad experiences with any one brand that'd be helpful as well. Thanks everyone.

[P72Ford]

I just had Catco's put on, and they look like quality pieces. However, I have yet to go through emissions, and I've only had them for a few weeks. They seem to have a decent reputation.

[CheeseSteakJim]

I work in the autoparts industry and I've never heard a bad thing about Catco catalytic converters.

[86GmLsCoupe]

I'm on the fence between Catco and Walker. I have the Walker exhaust and like the quality and the place I get parts would have an easier time getting the Walker stuff so I think that's what I might go with. Has anyone ever heard anything bad about the Walker stuff? Thanks again.

[Lincolnmania]

walker is good
you are looking for stock direct fit replacements right?

[86GmLsCoupe]

Yea Scott, just a direct replacement set to go with the stock dual exhaust. I went with the Walker stuff and will let you know how it works out for me. My Dad has used Catco cats before and never had a problem with them.

[Grandmarchris]

Vibrant seems like a good brand..I think they get their warez from Magnaflow

[86VickyLX]

I'm getting ready to replace the two 3 yr old catalytic old converters on my car because they have been rattling like crazy for over year and its finally starting to get to me. I have AP/Apex ones on there know and it's looking like I can't get a warranty replacement because the car still passes emissions, though I still have to look into that some. So I'm just looking for a direct fit replacement cat thats hopefully built a little better, the car has a 3 yr old very good condition stock walker dual setup on it now. What brands should I be looking at? Catco, Magnaflow, Walker, Eastern? Also, if you've had any good/bad experiences with any one brand that'd be helpful as well. Thanks everyone.

pull the heat shields off. The ones on the aero finally fell off, and god was it so nice not hearing that noise.

[packman]

I had a 2.5" Catco on my Malibu and it was still running strong when I sold it.


Packman

[86GmLsCoupe]

pull the heat shields off. The ones on the aero finally fell off, and god was it so nice not hearing that noise.

Nahh, was hoping it was just the heat shields but no such luck, we usually just rip them off as well. On the original 4 cat setup I used one of those metal clamps for a one loose shield but that was it. With the new set, it's definitely inside the cats so the bricks are loose on both sides. The car passes emissions but sounds like shit and I can't tolerate that. The Walker cats and two new SoundFX mufflers are sitting in the garage waiting to go on hopefully this weekend. The Walker cats look very solid without the crap ass welding on the shields so I'm confident these will work out much better. I'm thinking of taking the old cats in for salvage, any idea what they'd be worth (3 yrs old, less that 10k miles)???

[86GmLsCoupe]

The new Walker cats and mufflers are on and the car sounds great now and even seem to idle better. You can really tell the difference in the quality as well. The $11 no-name mufflers were completely frozen on but Dad and I were lucky enough to save the H-pipe and tailpipe. They ripped apart while trying to get them off, finally the air chisel did the job. In the end it was really just the one cat the was badly rattling but the other would have probably started soon enough. The cheap mufflers completely disintegrated into rusty pieces inside, mind you they're just over 3 yrs old, barely winter driver, and the undercarriage gets washed often. The cheap muffler almost cost me having to get a new H and tailpipe so I guess they aren't so cheap after all.