Need a replacement catalytic converter recommendation

[11b4v]

09 Ford Expy, 275K. Code P0420 "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1.

Given the age, I think replacement cats are due.

Who has had success with aftermarket cats here, and what Manufacturer did you use?

Thanks in advance.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

I've not had the (dis)pleasure of having to replace cats on an Expy (yet), but from what I've read here & other places, most folks have had better luck with OEM parts than aftermarket ones, mainly due to the way the computer detects & reacts them, like throwing codes when nothing is actually wrong and whatnot....

I'm not saying that aftermarket ones absolutely won't work ok, but there seems to be more issues with them as opposed to FoMoCo ones.....

However, I did have to replace the factory one on my son's '09 Impala at around 200K miles (it started throwing several codes & having some performance issues), and my trusted mechanic gave me 2 prices, as well as the pros/cons of each option:

1) Aftermarket = $388 installed, with a 90 day warranty, OR

2) GM/OEM = $893 installed, with a lifetime warranty......

Guess which one I went with

That was almost 2 years ago, nevernottaproblemo !

 

[inmanlanier]

Do you wish to share with us which one? Your hint (if there was one) was over my head! The aftermarket?

 

[callwill]

I think we put an AP Eastern on our old Expy. We had no issues. Its long gone to the crusher. Take a look at Amazon for pricing. I recently bought an aftermarket front set for my kids' Taurus. I don't remember the brand, but it was very inexpensive (comparatively). We kept the car about a year after that and recently sold it. We had no problems with it.

 

[union pipewelder]

I did Magnaflow on my 08, no issue love the

 

[2016 ford expo]

OEM always best in my opinion. but if I was to I would do magnaflow

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Do you wish to share with us which one? Your hint (if there was one) was over my head! The aftermarket?

Because he decided he wanted to "drive it till it dies" (which could have been the following day, or 5 yrs from now) we went with the OEM versionl

NOTE: there was no hint, so there are be no swoosh sounds headed your way !

 

[11b4v]

Update. I held off on the cat for now, but Magnaflow will be the choice when I get there.

I'm thinking, dont know for sure, but maybe my my 02 code is related to air coming in from the exhaust manifold. The last manifold bolt closest to the firewall is broken. I'm goinng to fix that first before doing new cats.

Truck is sitting at 293k now.

 

[max78]

spark plug non fouler if you want to bandaid it till you figure out the replacement