I asked this on another forum but didn't get much info. I've revised it a little based on newer information. Here's goes:
I've got a '99 with 168k and one bad converter. The other one has been replaced already; the bad one is closest to the rear flange. I want to do the replacement myself, either in my garage at a garage where I can rent a lift for a couple hours. It looks like a straightforward job; 9 bolts, bada bing, Bob's my uncle. Unless some of the bolts break, then I'm screwed.
I keep reading about Magnaflow and Flowmaster. I'm on a tight budget (thanks for the $1,300 repair, Acura), so Magnaflow is likely out. The Flowmaster gets good reviews except for the additional O2 sensor holes that need to be plugged. It looks like a standard M18x1.5 bolt will fill the hole?
Here's what I've found on Amazon:
Flowmaster, comes with the hardware except for O2 plugs, $312
Walker, no hardware, $264 plus a $50 rebate debit card
AP, with hardware, $327
The garage I usually go to doesn't like Magnaflow and said that they use the AP brand. I had never heard of it; they said it wasn't available unless you worked for a shop. Low and behold, 5 minutes on Ebay and I found the brand at a reasonable price. The Magnaflow is a 2 or 3 piece system, so it would be easier to get it up and around where it needs to go.
I need advice on which one to go with. I'll also be ordering 3 new O2 sensors; I replaced one of them a month ago. I'll be towing, so if any offer a power improvement over the other I'd appreciate that input as well. I'll do a cat-back muffler later this summer, hopefully. I'm mostly concerned with the studs and nuts on the manifold connection. They look like they'll be easy to get to, and I've got some PB Blaster, but I'm a little scared of having one break. Any tools that can help ensure the rusty nuts can come off?
I've got a '99 with 168k and one bad converter. The other one has been replaced already; the bad one is closest to the rear flange. I want to do the replacement myself, either in my garage at a garage where I can rent a lift for a couple hours. It looks like a straightforward job; 9 bolts, bada bing, Bob's my uncle. Unless some of the bolts break, then I'm screwed.
I keep reading about Magnaflow and Flowmaster. I'm on a tight budget (thanks for the $1,300 repair, Acura), so Magnaflow is likely out. The Flowmaster gets good reviews except for the additional O2 sensor holes that need to be plugged. It looks like a standard M18x1.5 bolt will fill the hole?
Here's what I've found on Amazon:
Flowmaster, comes with the hardware except for O2 plugs, $312
Walker, no hardware, $264 plus a $50 rebate debit card
AP, with hardware, $327
The garage I usually go to doesn't like Magnaflow and said that they use the AP brand. I had never heard of it; they said it wasn't available unless you worked for a shop. Low and behold, 5 minutes on Ebay and I found the brand at a reasonable price. The Magnaflow is a 2 or 3 piece system, so it would be easier to get it up and around where it needs to go.
I need advice on which one to go with. I'll also be ordering 3 new O2 sensors; I replaced one of them a month ago. I'll be towing, so if any offer a power improvement over the other I'd appreciate that input as well. I'll do a cat-back muffler later this summer, hopefully. I'm mostly concerned with the studs and nuts on the manifold connection. They look like they'll be easy to get to, and I've got some PB Blaster, but I'm a little scared of having one break. Any tools that can help ensure the rusty nuts can come off?
