catalytic converter recommendation

[dieselenthusiast]

I’m about to put on my Dynomax catback, and thought maybe I should replace my factory catalytic converter first. After all, I have 180,000 miles on the Jeep. I have a 2000 XJ with California emissions. Is there a certain brand I should go with so there’s no worry about throwing codes? Thanks everyone!

 

[NW99XJ]

Wow, I was JUST going to post up an identical thread..... here's what I found, and I'd like to ask if anyone has heard of http://performance-curve.com, or more importantly, had any experience with them or their products; (they appear to make their own catalytic converters.) - (and sell other ones too)
The two I was looking at are:

Details: http://performance-curve.com/425225-225catalyticconvertero2.aspx
PRICE: $44.95
>
Or this one: (has a super small profile for "performance in tight areas")

Details:http://performance-curve.com/2goerlichcatalyticconverterobdii608214-1-2.aspx
PRICE: $58.95

I know this doesn't help the O.P. much, since you have a 2000 (cats on the manifold right?) and living in California, (these two cats aren't Cali legal and you guys have different emissions standards) - But I think the website has some options for you regardless.
I just didn't feel the need to post up a virtually identical thread to this one, and figured we could both get our questions answered here at once (sorry for the hijack.)

 

[dieselenthusiast]

No worries NW99XJ. Just to clarify, I don’t live in California. Thankfully, I live in New Mexico where we don’t have emissions or vehicle inspections. My biggest concern was installing a converter that wont throw a code. The converters that you posted are very affordable. The ones that I’ve been looking at are $70 dollars on up to $200.

Does anyone know how much an OE replacement is?

 

[NW99XJ]

Yea the "name brand" ones seem to be way over priced, I guess your paying for the name recognition. I just so happened to stumble across these on a deep page google search one day, and talked to one of there guys (real helpful.) told him what I had, the mods done and the future plans (bored throttle body) and was recommended the second one pictured above. It had a slightly heavier load rating than the other one (6250lbs vs. 6000lbs.) Both are good for engines up to 5.9L - even a stroked 4.6 would be fine breathing through one of these. He mentioned that I shouldn't have any issues with the downstream o2 sensor throwing codes, and they're warrantied for 25k on emissions (as long as the sensor is good -this should be fine.) I figure it may run like poop for the first week or two while the adaptive memory learns the new readings (i'd clear the computer b4 installing this) but afterwards should be like a new jeep. My rig has 208,000 miles on it, and from what the exhaust tech said when I had my down pipe replaced, the cat that's in there now is the original. Its not rattling yet, but I can tell its getting plugged up and due for a swap. Regardless, my valves with thank me afterwards.

 

[Jeepguy03]

diesel,

If you have the California emissions on your XJ (I have it on mine), there are no O2 sensors around the last cat. There are only sensors around the first two cats near the exhaust manifold. You can run a high flow cat without issue.

I run this one on my XJ with the dynomax exhaust and it sounds great, no codes either:

http://performance-curve.com/410250-250catalyticconverter.aspx

 

[dieselenthusiast]

diesel,

If you have the California emissions on your XJ (I have it on mine), there are no O2 sensors around the last cat. There are only sensors around the first two cats near the exhaust manifold. You can run a high flow cat without issue.

I run this one on my XJ with the dynomax exhaust and it sounds great, no codes either:

http://performance-curve.com/410250-250catalyticconverter.aspx

THANKS! GREAT INFO! I’m so happy that I just ordered one!

 

[Jeepguy03]

THANKS! GREAT INFO! I’m so happy that I just ordered one!

Make sure you ordered one like the link I posted. If you get one with the hole for the O2 sensor you will have a big hole in your exhaust since Cali emissions XJs don't have an O2 sensor there. :laugh:

 

[dieselenthusiast]

Make sure you ordered one like the link I posted. If you get one with the hole for the O2 sensor you will have a big hole in your exhaust since Cali emissions XJs don't have an O2 sensor there. :laugh:

Don’t worry, I had a hard time believing you, so I went out and looked at my convertor to double check, and you were right. :laugh: So I ordered the exact one that you linked, part # 410250. Supposedly, after Jan 2000, they stopped requiring the 02 sensor in the Cali emissions, lol.

 

[Jeepguy03]

You will like that setup. The Dynomax sounds stock when you first install it, but after 3-6k miles it breaks in and has a nice tone without being obnoxious.

 

[NW99XJ]

Don’t worry, I had a hard time believing you, so I went out and looked at my convertor to double check, and you were right. :laugh: So I ordered the exact one that you linked, part # 410250. Supposedly, after Jan 2000, they stopped requiring the 02 sensor in the Cali emissions, lol.

Lucky.....
well as soon as uncle Sam gives me my money back, I'll be getting one of these myself. (the one with the o2 port of course.) Providing I dont hear any horror stories of one of these catching fire under someone's rig or something.:flame:

 

[dieselenthusiast]

You will like that setup. The Dynomax sounds stock when you first install it, but after 3-6k miles it breaks in and has a nice tone without being obnoxious.

Yeah, I’ve heard great things about Dynomax. I went with the dynomax because 1) it actually shown a gain of horsepower and torque when independently dyno tested and 2) they are not loud and obnoxious.

 

[dieselenthusiast]

Lucky.....

Yeah, who would of thought that there's an advantage with Cali emissions, lol.

well as soon as uncle Sam gives me my money back, I'll be getting one of these myself. (the one with the o2 port of course.) Providing I dont hear any horror stories of one of these catching fire under someone's rig or something.:flame:

After talking to the guy at performance-curve, I’d say that this particular converter is the best thing going for the Cherokee. The price is right and the quality is excellent.

 

[CarbonXJ]

I went with a Walker brand cat when I replaced my exhaust. Went with 2 1/4" pipe and a flowmaster 50 series with a black powdercoated 3" tip. Sounds great, but a little drone a lower speeds. (nothing i'm not used to with my old 2.9L Ford ranger....)