Direct fit Cat or Universal Cat??

[JoeC5]

I need to replace the cats on my 93 X (108,x..). Now what is the best way to go? Universal or direct bolt on? I am leaning towards the universal because its half the price of the direct fit. Tell me what you think. I almost forgot, do I have 2 cats or 1? If I have 2, does that mean I have to get 2 or can I just get away with running 1 cat?? Thanks again fellas

 

[leenjen]

i have 2 on my 92. if you have 2 then you have to keep 2.
taking one of them off is illegal. but i think 93-94 only has 1.
you might want to go under and check first.

 

[offroader_69_me]

I would go universal as long as you still pass emissions then you should be ok, we use universals at the shop I work at all the time!

 

[JoeC5]

Yeah, I think i am going to get the universals. Do you think labor will be expensive to put them on?? I think i will bring it to the local meineke (not sure on spelling) shop. Do they do alright work? Also I want to have all the seems welded up on my gibson exhaust. I dont want someone who is cutting and welding to do a half a$$ job ya know. Later.

 

[doktorstoj]

You should be prepared. I went by Midas today and the guy sai they didnt have anything specific for the explorer 2d (2000) so he said he would call their supplier (Ravin?) but he said with labor from the muffler back it would cost around 600 probably!!!!

Im thinking whatever, for some no-name manufacturer. I can buy a Gibson or something for less than 300. Instalation shoudlnt be that much. Maybe 100-150.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by doktorstoj
he said with labor from the muffler back it would cost around 600 probably!!!!

yeah, midas is a ripp off. i went there a few years ago because i needed front brakes for my toyota. i told the guy i want ed brakes, he said i had to pay $17 for them to inspect the brakes. then if i got the work done that they suggest, the fee will be refunded. i thought, ok i plan on getting new brakes anyway.
(i meant just the pads) their B.S. inspection said it would cost $535!!! i said WTF!! and left after paying $17 for a waste of time, and went to my regular mechanic the next day, everything he did cost me only $80.

 

[Bill Kemp]

In the latest J.C.Whitney catalog they have hi-flow cats on sale.
$90.oo plus shipping.
Thats for a single in and single out.

 

[doktorstoj]

yeah he said some bs because mine is 2x inlet single out, and thats hard to find blah blah. so i said, well what about a universal and he said we could do that but lets see if we can find a whole pre-made kit.

ill probably end up going elsewhere.

 

[jemail]

Direct fit

Have you gone under your Explorer and looked at where your cat connects to the exhaust manifold pipe?
On my '91 the attachment point is an oblong shape that feeds directly into the first of two cats.
So my dreams of a high-flow universal cat at a cheap price have been crushed.
I purchased mine at carparts.com using their 20% off coupon at
http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=7151706&siteid=33446490&bfpage=25
If the coupon is still good, it will show 20% OFF on this page and show you the discount when you calculate the shipping cost on the shopping cart page.