Not buying new catalytic converters

I live in California and my catalytic converter went out and I'm not going to replace them they are just to rediciusly expensive. So would it be ok if I just do straight pipe with a muffler would it mess with any sensors. What options do I have.

 

Are you throwing codes or is the cat toast? Magnaflow makes reasonably price replacements.
If you put a straight pipe you will throw codes unless you get 02 simulators. And you defiantly will not pass smog with no cats.

 

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/smog

http://search.dmv.org/dmv/california/state-inspection

 

replace them or replace them,those are your options

no way around it,or you just leave in your bad cats and blow out your piston rings from to much back pressure. which one do you think cost more.

not to be a dick but this is the price we pay to live in this beautiful state!

 

as a possible budget-friendly solution see: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/353028-catalytic-converter-life.html#post9536982
but I don't know if they're CA compliant

 

Yea I have 420 code mechanics told me the cars are shot

 

What's the damage if I l take them off

 

Ok, that isn't what happens with bad cats. Cats go bad when they loose enough precious metals to not filter enough emissions gasses.

 

Before you do something, try a bottle of Cataclean on a low tank of gas. That's what I did when I got a P0420 code. O2 sensors weren't reading good readings, and now they are. Haven't had the code in over 5k miles, and my computer has passed its emissions self test.

 

I was throwing codes for bad cats and the dealer wanted to replace both cats, I replaced both downstream 02 sensors and have not had a problem or code since.

 

I'll try the Cataclean

 

if the cats are truly bad, you MUST go with OEM ones, as any aftermarket ones are not CA legal,

 

Looks like I have very little options Cataclean, 02 senders, or new ones.

 

Move to another state?

 

There are aftermarket ones that are CA legal, it does have CARB # on them. The OP didn't say which year his truck is. Newest year I see available for the Tacoma are 2004. Any newer then it has to be OEM.

 

Truck is an 06

 

You won't pass inspection cat-less.

You have pre and post cat o2 sensors. The rear would set a full time CEL with no cat.

Any aftermarket cat would need to have a Cali CARB certification. There are some out there for other marquees that I'm aware of, so there may be some for Tacos.

I'd also replace both sensors and see what happens. Cat may be fine. Unless you have a long history with a quality mechanic I'm not sure you can be fully trusting of them and your wallet.

At the worst you're out a couple bucks for the cleaner, you'll have a new cat and sensors, making you good for a long time to come.

 

Your biggest issue with taking them of and going straight pipe is never passing smog and having to deal with that. It can get pretty pricy trying that.

Incorrect. If a cat gets too hot then the internal components can melt. This blocks the exhaust flow through the cat and causes excessive backpressure. Usually they do not go bad because they loose precious metal. Most of the time too much carbon builds up on the precious metal, reducing the ability of the cat to properly do it's job. The precious metal is not "lost", but it can be melted by excessive temps and thus not able to do it's job that way either.

 

Of course there are legal ones.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/aftermktcat.htm

There may not be any for his application. But there certainly Cali CARB legal aftermarket cats.

Magnaflow, Flowmaster and EasternCatalytic all have compliant Executive Orders. There may be others.