Am I able to replace the catalytic converter with a straight pipe on a 2002 Prius? If so, what are the negative effects?
Mechanically, yes. Electrically and pollution control wise, no. The emissions control system consists of 2 parts: the actual catalytic converter, and a hydrocarbon removal system (known as HCAC) which consists of a valve and capture container subsequent to the second O2 sensor in the exhaust system. A cat converter (exact fit) from Eastern Catalytic will solve a missing cat converter (Eastern Catalytic #40544, about $250 from RockAuto) but the HCAC valve and capture tube must be recovered from a scrapyard. The OEM cat converter is about $1200 from Toyota (part #17410-21261), has the capture tube but does NOT contain the pneumatic actuator assembly (Toyots Part # 17230-21010) which actuates the HCAC capture valve. See these link for diagram sof the system and a possible source: https://partsbarn.sunnysidetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-catalytic-converter-front-1741021261 2003 Toyota Prius Actuator assembly, with bracket. Exhaust, engine - 1723021010 - Genuine Toyota Part
just had mine stolen 10/15 put parts on order through Toyota and it is $1860 in this Seattle area, had just got it OEM on 9/17 and waiting to see if progressive will help out, (full coverage) also ordered a anti theft plate through them as well for $240, my choice was to buy another car (started to get a leaf) or another cat and the cat was the better option
hey babbles, Do you have the part numbers in your order? I'm trying to put together a list of all the part numbers, there seems to be a lot. Also what did they give as an ETA for the parts to arrive?
Thanks babbles. Only 3 days wait for the cat? That is pretty quick. In addition to your quote. I think there might be a few more. Actuator Assembly 1723021010 (this is attached to the cat, surprised this was not on your quote) Actuator Assembly Hose 1734821010 o2 sensor 89465-47060 (mine was cut but you might not need this if they just detached it) This seems to be next to the actuator Protector, Exhaust P. 1752321010 spring air control 1733821010 3 nut spoiler (rear, upper, lower) 9017906007 2 hangers 1756521010 (mine was cut, but yours might be still intact)
Mine was cut off my 2001 last Thursday morning. It was a very smart scumbag and he knew that an early model Prius has possibly the best emissions control system consisting of two precious metal-filled parts that he could cut off my jacked up car in about 3 minutes. It’s all on my neighbors security video. I took it to a neighborhood muffler shop, big mistake. He put in two new replacement Magnaflows instead of an HCAC unit about which he seems clueless. Now, I’ve got P1427 code and the guy says he doesn’t know where one of the sensors plugs in. And I paid him $900. I saw on here a part called “Stainless Steel Weld On Bung” on eBay for around $10. Do I need to have this installed and will that solve the CEL problem? I’m not in California, but I will need to pass an emissions test next year and that CEL won’t do. Any suggestions are more than welcome!
You can NOT buy just a HCAC unit without buying the whole cat from toyota. At $900, you pretty much are close to the $1200 to get the right OEM setup. Sorry you didn't check in here first !! See my post on how to "trick" the computer to think it has a HCAC unit and get rid of the 1427 code. I real visual inspection will recognize its missing in the exhaust and fail visual inspection.
My catalytic converter was stolen off of my 2003 Prius in Seattle area last week. Current quote is $1,650 for converter, plus another grand for O2 sensor, some other thing I’m forgetting (vacuum something?), a protective shield, labor and taxes. $2,800 feels absolutely ridiculous to spend on a 2003 vehicle with 170k miles on it, but the market right now doesn’t seem friendly to buying other reasonably priced upgrades. Am I missing anything? Is this just the normal cost of repairing post catalytic converter theft right now?
You really just need to buy the replacement cat from Toyota, which is currently priced at about $1200, 17410-21260 Genuine Toyota Front Exhaust Pipe Assembly Shipping costs involved here, check with your local toyota dealer. This is what gets stolen and needs replaced. Everthing after this is just pipe and might be still on the car. Now even $1200 is a lot for a car that sells for $2500 right now (just sold one of mine), If you can be 'illegal', you can get it fixed for much less. You can get a fake gen2 cat off ebay for $100 which bolts on, and then run some pipe back to the muffler connection. and the car will run just fine. but you will get a p1437 code from the missing vacuum controlled HCAC unit, and so you get a check engine light. I have a hack to fix that on this forum. But it will still not pass a real smog check.
For folks outside CA and other CARB states, that can use a Federal Gen 2 cat, here's the discussion/solution to make CELs go away: Tricking HCAC codes into going away? | PriusChat
Once after market cats are installed, purchase a cruise control from a Honda Goldwing ($7.25 on ebay). Connect vacuum pod to pressure sensor line going to HCAC (in engine bay near throttle body), Check post related to this on Prius Chat. Vacuum pod will operate and turn CEL off. Had to solve this issue after Cats stolen. Works Great.
