P0430 is shining and it won't go away.
Drivers side bad cat.
2005 F150, 133K, recent successful plug change after 2+ years of misfiring.

Should I go universal or direct fit?
Which one exactly?
Universal=cheap/$100 or so. Do I weld this in?
Direct fit=$300+, how does this go in? worth the extra $?
I've got the tools/knowledge/welder in the garage....but time is short, need an inspection sticker this week!

Thanks all in advance!

Paul

 

Do you have a 2 cat or 4 cat system?

 

I'll be honest I'm not certain, but from what I've researched so far, 2 cat.
2005
5.4 3V
V8

 

It could be either, stick your head under and look, please.

 

holy crap. You learn something new every day. 2 bumps on either side, looks like I got 4 cats.

CA emissions? But I'm in MA so I'm not certain I need the $3000 cats.

 

I'd speak with an inspection station. You may need the CA rig, I think MA is one of a few states that now requires CA compliance.

Whatever you do, I'd recommend you replace them all - whether with a 4 cat system or a 2 cat system - because if it was misfiring that long the other side is probably not far from going bad too.

 

Hopefully things are not as bas in Mass...California has a very specific list as to which aftermarket cats are available (legal) to use on our vehicles...for example, for the 05 5.4l, the only cat available to use is the OEM at $ 2400/side...this is thanks to the California Air Resource Board....but the 4.6l has a few aftermarket available for use...

You can always try the Gotts O2 mod if your truck runs good, but are tired of looking at or resetting the code...but still investigate why you are getting the code...

 

From what I've researched so far, MA is not that bad (yet). It seems as though I can buy any cat I want, some are marked (on autozone and other places) as not for sale in CA, NY, MI and such....but Mass it seems I'm fine.

 

I could drive to Reno,Nevada (2 1/2 hours away...heck, I was there yesterday) and buy Magnaflow assemblies at Auto Zone or O'reilleys for around $700/side... If I was so inclined, I would just by the Magnaflo's...I don't think there would be a performance difference from OEM...

FWIW, my drivers side cat has been giving me a P0430 for about 3 years now...I put the Gotts O2 mod on last year, and it works like a champ...

Good Luck on your repair!

 

Try the Gotts O2 mod first - if that will get you through inspection that gives you time to figure out a long-term solution.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ex...-mod-pics.html

 

I'm looking at Auto Zone now....I see a few NY models, a CA model, a few universals, but I see no Left/drivers side dual cat setup like mine. Maybe I should just not trust the pics? or any direct fit cat in the $600 range should be fine if "they" say it will fit?

Gotts mod....will take a look, thank you!!!

 

Settling on a Magnaflow 93664 or a Bosal 0794199. Looks to be the 48 state compliant cats will do fine in a CA emission truck.....it's just that if I live in CA or NY I cannot have it shipped to me.

I'm sure my friggen state of MA is not too far behind.

Gotts Mod: Looks to be quite a few were still getting the CEL turn on, including the OP, so not sure what good the mod is. In MA, if I have any stored codes, I fail emissions.

 

Do both sides. If you had time, you could save a considerable amount ordering online.

Don't forget - if you disconnect the battery the codes will be cleared, but it will take a lengthy drive cycle before all sensors achieve readiness. Until they do, you get a P1000 which will fail you unless MA allows a certain number of sensors not ready.

 

ok, got my cat. vain attempt at gathering hardware.

I'll be honest and say I didn't look yet but:
Studs? I assume I will be snapping these off at the manifold?
I was told M10 x 1.5 is this correct?
Studs and nuts, do I need any gaskets??

thanks in advance everyone!!

 

For less than 3K you could buy the entire long-tube exhaust system with CATs from Stainless Works.