Bump. Anyone?

 

I've used a later Cat on a 99 but not the other way around.

Don't be so sure that you killed the cat. When the turbo went out on my son's '99 the turbine shaft broke and it dumped oil into the exhaust. A LOT of oil. When we re-started the car it smoked like crazy. After it got dark out we took the car for a ride to burn out the oil and about a half hour later it wasn't smoking any more. 6 months later when the CA smog test was due I was paranoid that it wouldn't pass but it had no issues. The numbers weren't even close to the max.

 

Are you looking at a used one or a new one? If new, what state are you in? If you're not in California or New York, I'd get one from RockAuto. They're about $350.00 brand new.

 

used ones are very hard to find. Some states (California) it is illegal to sell a used catalytic converter. Most junkyards cut them out on day 1 and sell them to recyclers that recover the precious metals, and will often tell you that it's illegal (federally) to sell them, which isn't true but is a good excuse.

The best way to find a used one is to find someone dismantling a car and get it from them.

as to the original question the only difference was the introduction of the pre-cat into the 01 model, which reduced emissions when the exhaust system was cold. The old saying that a "hot cat is a happy cat" is true and moving the pre-cat up to as close to the turbo as possible allowed it to heat up faster and reduced emissions until the main cat was hot. This is why it works to put the later cat on the older cars since the emissions will be lower.

 

I am in Michigan. The 1999 from Rockauto is just $205. It is shaped the same, but the downstream o2 sensor hole is much further toward the rear of the car. I would like to save the money if all I need to do is extend the o2 sensor wires.

 

Dude, for a fast cure soak your cat in the bathtub, pouring a solution of citric acid and water down into it. The citric acid will dissolve a little of the crud. This might give you a bit of speed back. Also, you could get a hammer onto it and give a few little taps thereby dislogding some of the honey comb material inside it so giving a clear air path for the exhaust to travel. Temp measure.