Catalytic Convert and Muffler replacement - Questions

I have had an annoying rattle coming from the area of my passenger side catalytic converter(been going on for about 3 years). Upon constant inspection and trial and error, we are pretty confident its the catalytic converter. Definitely not a heat shield.....possitive.

On top of that, the "quiet" muffler that I had replaced the powervault muffler with, is finally going rattley noisey on me after 3 years. This is probably due the the fact that the muffler was just a cheapy needed to quiet the ride before my Son was born.

So.....My questions.

There are several aftermarket catalytic converters out there. Has anyone had any luck (bad or good) with any of them?

Second...
I need to get a quality muffler, probably stainless steal, that will last and will be quiet. My goal is noise level. I like the roar, but my family situation means I have to be quieter. So anything over quiet is a bonus. (performance, etc). Any thoughts on a good one to go with?

I am getting everything installed by Performance Offroad in Kentucky. The shop is awesome and my minor exhaust work is nothing compared to all the cool projects they have going on. I am just glad I found an excuse to go to that shop.

my muffler guy said they are pretty standard and had one sitting on the shelf - put it on in about 15 minutes no idea what brand but it fixed THAT rattle

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Originally Posted by evillecutter

my muffler guy said they are pretty standard and had one sitting on the shelf - put it on in about 15 minutes no idea what brand but it fixed THAT rattle

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the muffler or the catalytic converter?

sorry the cat - i actually asked him if i needed a new muffler but he said my stock one looked just fine - im pretty sure it is the original muffler

Don't know where yu are located but American muffler replaced my muffler for $120 lifetime warranty and it is much quieter then the OEM or the custome muffler I had on truck that lasted 18 months.

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Originally Posted by Daly

Don't know where yu are located but American muffler replaced my muffler for $120 lifetime warranty and it is much quieter then the OEM or the custome muffler I had on truck that lasted 18 months.

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1999, Ebony Black, VX, 1614
West Chester, OH US
Member Since: Jan 2009

:):):)

That sounds like a great one. I definitely want quiet and something that lasts. I am leaning towards a cherry bomb turbo for the muffler

had cherry bombs on my firebird and it was anything but quiet

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Originally Posted by evillecutter

had cherry bombs on my firebird and it was anything but quiet

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which model?

http://www.cherrybomb.com/Uploads/images/soundchart.jpg

pro model - that could be why :) - i would really like to hear how the turbo sounds if you go with that model - i know with 13 years on the oem muffler its only a matter of time before im in your same shoes

Since reading the window sticker awhile back, I've been a little baffled about something. According to the sticker, it says the exhaust is stainless steel. Now if in fact that is true, how come they rust out? I know Borla stainless exhausts are warrantied for life, so whats up with our VX's exhaust?:_confused

I have the same little rattle at idle, (when cold) I had already come to the conclusion that the sounds were in the exhaust. I have not taken it apart to inspect it all. I do have a aftermarket muffler that will fit (will be louder), Assume that I will be looking at Cat back exhaust, no rust on underside, so the pipe to the engine should be ok.

200,000 miles on mine and replaced the muffler because thats the only thing that rusted out, but now it has true dual exhaust with a nice quiet flow from walker, all by choice all the pipe was still good when the duals were put on.

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Originally Posted by Cris

200,000 miles on mine and replaced the muffler because thats the only thing that rusted out, but now it has true dual exhaust with a nice quiet flow from walker, all by choice all the pipe was still good when the duals were put on.

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What is the information on the muffler you went with?

Did you change out your Catalytic converter?


Thats probably the biggest unknown for me right now. I dont know size and fit. I also dont want a CEL to turn on.

I'm curious about the QF Walker myself. Posted about them a few months ago. No one replied. How do they sound compared to stock?

Did you find a single-in/dual-out unit? Two-in/Two-out? Dual mufflers?

Vid would be cool!!!

Here is what I think I am going to go with:


Catalytic Converter:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HMJSEY

Muffler:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CCFZZQ

Any reason I shouldn't pull the trigger on these?

Any concern about replacing the catalytic converter and affecting CEL popping sensors?

I think inlet and outlet is 2.25" on the cat. Should I be looking for 2.5"?

Alright....things have changed......I found a direct replacement part from Bosal.

https://www.qcsonline.net/bosalb2b/p...3200.gif?52065

Part numbers are
Passenger Cat: 099-1343
Driver Side Cat: 099-014

I found them for a little over $300 each.

Comparing them to the Isuzu part diagram, they look like a good fit. I purchased the passenger side from fcpgroton.com and the driver side from amazon.

Both places I am confident I can return if their description that it will fit my Vehicross, is wrong. I am also having a custom off-road shop do the installation, so if there are any surprises, I am confident they will be able to tackle them.

The muffler is probably going to change too, to match the 2.25 inlet/outlet.

wish me luck

Darn it!!!!

I just got a call from fcpgroton.....

...they dont have the part in stock and no one else has it either.

I can find the driver side all day, but not the passenger side.


very very frustrating

Any suggestions here?
I need to bring it to a shop in NJ - if I am going to do it I would like to do it right. A nice aftermarket muffler with a growl and possibly dual exhaust?
If not - same single is fine.....let me know what has worked here?

I just re-fitted my exhaust; I removed the heat shield, they were all disintegrated anyway; I saved one, may paint it and put it back; frankly, they looked useless; gonna check if anything really needs protecting; my system was all nasty from the day I got my beloved VX in 2007; I spent about 9 hours stripped, grinding, sanding and polishing each component, especially the cats cause they are so expensive; then used high heat 2000 degree paint as a primer, then top coated with appropriate high heat paint, looks good, system is silent now! muffler was broke, got a new one $$$$ from Isuzu, wanted to stay stock!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0796.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0797.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0799.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0800.JPG

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Originally Posted by CowboyErik

I just re-fitted my exhaust; I removed the heat shield, they were all disintegrated anyway; I saved one, may paint it and put it back; frankly, they looked useless; gonna check if anything really needs protecting; my system was all nasty from the day I got my beloved VX in 2007; I spent about 9 hours stripped, grinding, sanding and polishing each component, especially the cats cause they are so expensive; then used high heat 2000 degree paint as a primer, then top coated with appropriate high heat paint, looks good, system is silent now! muffler was broke, got a new one $$$$ from Isuzu, wanted to stay stock!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0796.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0797.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0799.JPGhttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/IMG_0800.JPG

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Now that's devotion!

Looks good.

I still havent purchased any cats....

...but I did purchase and have installed a new muffler...

I purchased the Magnaflow 11225

Sounds great and its stainless steel so it will last forever

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Originally Posted by JAMAS

Darn it!!!!

I just got a call from fcpgroton.....

...they dont have the part in stock and no one else has it either.

I can find the driver side all day, but not the passenger side.


very very frustrating

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So why would they be different anyway? I could see it for mufflers but not for cats.

I dont know why they are different, but even Merlin only had 1 left on the passenger side.