I have an 02 Suburban 1500. It needs a new Catalytic. I'm getting the run around. 1 mechanic tells me it HAS to be OEM and another telling me know. Which is it???? Oh and I'm in california so I know it needs to be obd-11

Thanks in advance

 

As long as it meets the standards set by the state you live in there is no problem using aftermarket. I'm wondering why you need a new cat? These normally dont go unless there is a problem with your truck. You could replace it and plug it back up if there is still a problem.

 

It's in the transmission shop get a trans replaced and the mechanic called and said that one of the cats is completely clogged. I need to get it smog'd in order to register it.

 

Ya, I understand that but my question is two diff mechanics are saying two different things. I don't know who to believe.

 

Dealer cost big bucks aftermarket alot less. Your choice. Ive done 2 on different cars over the years. one on my astro covered under warantee. The other on our old escort aftermarket as it wasnt covered by any warantee. Both had problems and got them fixed too.

 

You need to get a California converter or the check engine light will come on. Also I find that more than 50% of aftermarket cats go bad in the first year and the check engine light comes on

 

If it were me I would like to know what code it was throwing. So many things can cause the CEL to go on. If everything indicates the cat I don't have a problem using the aftermarket. I'm from CA and they don't care if aftermarket or not. The one I got had a five year warranty (with many restrictions such as must be perfectly tuned so not sure if they would ever replace it for free) but it was about 30% the cost of a dealer one. I must admit I heard the same stories about them not lasting long but so far, three years and I just smogged clean as a whistle. That being said if I got three years out of three of them, that would be nine years and I would still be ahead.