I replaced my stock cat with a Magnaflow high flow cat today. So far, I like it. Really made my Flowmaster 50 Series SUV sound better. Low RPM is still a nice loud rumble, but it has gotten louder at higher RPM's now, which is were the Flowmaster 50 SUV is lacking. Probably be really loud if I had the 40 Series (more then my wife could bare I'm sure). Overall, I like the sound better now, and my wife can still live with it, so I am happy.

Not any huge performance gains noticed yet, but acceleration and response do seem a little smoother. Top end seems to have a little more power too, but I need to drive in some other conditions (towing, moutains, etc...) to know for sure.

Overall I am pleased. Best part is, Chrylser paid for it. I received the letter saying they are extending my cat warranty, and that they would pay for it if it was already replaced prior to the date on the letter (which is dated tomorrow). If I waited until after that date, they will only pay for a new stock cat from a dealership. I called them and said that I have already replaced my stock cat with an aftermarket cat prior to the date on the letter, and that it was not done at a dealership. They said it is still covered, and to just send in my receipt for a reimbursement of parts and labor (which was about $275).

One side note if you are planning to get a cat replaced. The shop that did mine stripped the o2 sensor when then were removing it. They tried to tell me that I would have to pay for a new one because that is not their fault, just a risk you take when you replace the cat. I talked with the manager about it, and they agreed to pay for it. Just wanted to let others know to be careful cause this could happen to you too.

So, new cat, new o2 sensor, and it is all paid for by someone else. Woohoo!!! [sm=yeahsmile.gif]

 

wow, good deal. how did they come to be replacing your cat?

 

I knew someone would ask me that.

I got the letter from Chrysler, and realized that if I wanted to have Chrysler pay for a highflow cat replacement, I would have to have it replaced before the date stated on the letter (todays date), otherwise I would have to wait until it failed emissions or started rattling, then I could only get a stock replacement from a dealership anyway, not a high flow. So, I went down to my trusty muffler shop yesterday and told them I wanted a new cat that day, and that I didn't think there was anything wrong with mine. They said if it was newer then 2000, they would have to prove that it is bad before they could swap it, but since it is over 5 years old, their policy is to just swap them out regardless of condition.

This is in fact contrary to what I have been told elsewhere, but it's done now, and it turns out that looking into mine after it was removed, there was a small degree of clogging. Nothing spectacular, but enough to justify to just about anyone that I needed a new cat. I suspect mine would have started giving me issues in the next year or two the way it looked.

 

silver...you got that paper in the mial b/c dymler chrysler is replacings some 20 million dollars in cats and labor right? i wonder how i go about gettin a letter likethat... i replaced my cat!1 and im sure i can "find" the receipt

 

Yup, that's the letter. It is only certain year and models though according to my letter.

 

did they specify a cutoff milage? I have 2 cats that are right off the headers that need to be replaced...

 

Here is a scan of my letter (I removed some of my personal info).
The vehicle/years covered according to addendum are:

1996 2.5L Jeep Cherokee
1996 3.9L Dodge Ram Van/Wagon
1996 5.2L Dodge Ram Pickup
1996 5.9L Dodge Ram Pickup

1997 3.9L Dodge Ram Van/Wagon
1997 3.9L Dodge Dakota
1997 3.9L Dodge Ram Pickup

1998 3.9L Dodge Ram Pickup

1999 3.9L Dodge Ram Dakota
1999 5.2L Dodge Ram Pickup

Sorry Steve, I don't see 2000 year on the list.

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I wonder why they skip the 97 V8 models in the Ram truck, it has all the 96 models and then picks up the V8 again clear up in 99 model year. Seems odd that they would use a differant cat for a couple years or differant motors.

 

I better check my mailbox closely incase I can get them to pay for the last 2 Magnaflow cats Ive thrown on.

 

aaaaaahhhh crap... mines an 01.... confusing though b/c that post above in the anouncements say that some 01's are included... man i got shafted on that one....oh well...