4.7L Replacement Y-Pipe

burganb · Jul 14, 2010

So i was discussing fixing the Y-pipe with my Dad the other day and he said That when I had my front wheels off for installation of the new shocks he took a look at the pre-cats. Said that had to be the one of those things Dodge had to screw up. It literally goes:

Intake Manifold-->Ball Flange--> about an 1.5-2" straight pipe-->a sharp 90degree bend--> precat-->another sharp bend--> and then on to the rest of the Y-pipe.

So we start thinking it maybe hard to try and gut the system than original thought. So Dad started talking replacement Y-pipe. Only ones I knew of is Walker and Magnaflow. But I think I found someone else...

Catco Catalytic Converters
They make the Y-pipe to fit 2001-2003 Dakota (w/ wheel base 131.5). It They actually only make Y-pipes for the 4.7L and the 3.9L. And what's nice is the pipes are made with 409 SS, not aluminized steel.

Their company's catalog link is below:
http://www.showmetheparts.com/catco/

Neil · Jul 14, 2010

Wow, I really can't understand what you are trying to say.

What is the problem and what did Dodge "screw up"?

Why are you thinking about gutting or replacing it?

GWhaley · Jul 14, 2010

Did you get a price on the complete 3 Cat Y pipe? Make sure you are sitting down...............they aren't cheap. I spent a couple of weeks looking for a direct bolt up - the 3 cat assemblies were north of a grand.....I ended up getting two aftermarket pre-cats and just cut out the old ones, welded in the new ones.....(old ones were breaking up). Worked like a charm and it was under 300 bucks including the install. And I didn't have to mess around with 02 sensors - they are still in the factory locations

burganb · Jul 14, 2010

Neil said:
Wow, I really can't understand what you are trying to say.
What is the problem and what did Dodge "screw up"?
Why are you thinking about gutting or replacing it?

The screw up is the sharp 90degree bend right after the exhaust manifold to the precat and then one right after the precat. instead of a nice smooth flow like it should be.

I was thinking of gutting all the cats because the precats are rattling apart and clogging the 3rd cat. Not only does it sound like shit, but it also has dropped performance and mpg. I used to get 18-19 in the summer, now I get 16-17. So I lost a good 2 mpg. I probably lost more than that though since I have the Jeep TCM swap now.

Mainly, I was trying to let the guys know that were looking for a replacement pipe know I found a direct fit that is not $800 for aluminized steel. Its like $439 for the pipe w/ 2 precats and one 3rd cat made out of 409 SS and $283 for the pipe with one cat made of 409 SS.

burganb · Jul 14, 2010

GWhaley--- See above ^^^

GWhaley · Jul 14, 2010

Prices sound good - up here they are almost double that......good info to know for the future.....good find!

Dave_NY · Jul 14, 2010

Would those direct cats fit the 2004 model? I see it under the 2001 4.7L but for 2004 they don't even have the Dakota model.

Guess I should give them a call to find out.

gocartone · Jul 14, 2010

What's the ID on the one without cats? And it's for the 4.7 right? It looks like it has a hole for an O2 sensor right before the one cat on it, which doesn't exsist on our trucks but I think the 3.9s have something like that (not sure).

DocZ · Jul 15, 2010

Can't you go to a y pipe for a later model? My 03 Dakota has just one cat after y pipe

silverback · Jul 15, 2010

burganb said:
The screw up is the sharp 90degree bend right after the exhaust manifold to the precat and then one right after the precat. instead of a nice smooth flow like it should be.

I was thinking of gutting all the cats because the precats are rattling apart and clogging the 3rd cat. Not only does it sound like shit, but it also has dropped performance and mpg. I used to get 18-19 in the summer, now I get 16-17. So I lost a good 2 mpg. I probably lost more than that though since I have the Jeep TCM swap now.

Mainly, I was trying to let the guys know that were looking for a replacement pipe know I found a direct fit that is not $800 for aluminized steel. Its like $439 for the pipe w/ 2 precats and one 3rd cat made out of 409 SS and $283 for the pipe with one cat made of 409 SS.

I've got a 2001 QC 3.9 2wd that has the 3cat set-up. Last Friday I heard an exhaust leak & it was the passenger side pre cat, it managed to break loose at the pipe/cat weld on the bottomside. Had it welded back on yesterday but unfortunately the part that is welded (from the factory) is on the inside, under the outer shield. The guy said it wouldn't hold for long. Muffler shop quoted me $225 to install another cat or somewhere just over $700 for a new 3 cat system. I found the Catco various online retaiers & ebay for a 3.9 to run $390 +/- with shipping, the 4.7 runs $30-$40 more. The 5.9 runs cheaper at around $310...wonder if that would fit my 3.9?...
My cats still look good, maybe I can sell them to help make up some of the cost of a new set. :blahblah:
All I can say is if you don't have access to have someone weld one up for you, shop around and ask the ebay sellers questions cause some of them are dumbasses trying to take your hard earned cash. Good luck with your choice & let us know what you get & how they fit.

burganb · Jul 15, 2010

They make two different kinds for the 2000-2003 Dakota 4.7L one with 3 cats and one with just a single cat. I might just buy the single cat version and have someone weld bung holes to put the two O2s close to the exhaust manifold in. The other two are getting ziptied to the frame.

burganb · Jul 15, 2010

silverback said:
I've got a 2001 QC 3.9 2wd that has the 3cat set-up. Last Friday I heard an exhaust leak & it was the passenger side pre cat, it managed to break loose at the pipe/cat weld on the bottomside....

Yeah, your lucky yours is just a leak. Mine is both of them rattling apart. I'll try and see if I can get a video up of how is sounds sometime, so you guys will know what it sound like if you think yours is going bad. I can barely hear it if I'm driving normally. But If I sit in the driveway with the door open and rev it. You hear it a little bit on the up rev and then the rattle gets really bad as the rev goes back down.

GWhaley · Jul 15, 2010

burganb said:
Yeah, your lucky yours is just a leak. Mine is both of them rattling apart. I'll try and see if I can get a video up of how is sounds sometime, so you guys will know what it sound like if you think yours is going bad. I can barely hear it if I'm driving normally. But If I sit in the driveway with the door open and rev it. You hear it a little bit on the up rev and then the rattle gets really bad as the rev goes back down.

That's the way mine was as well - my truck had two replacement y pipes put on under warranty - the last one had barely any miles on it.....and of course the federal emissions warranty had ran out.....that's when I went on the hunt for an aftermarket alternative...

QUAD DAD · Jul 15, 2010

DocZ said:
Can't you go to a y pipe for a later model? My 03 Dakota has just one cat after y pipe

Yeah that's weird . My '02 has only one after the 'Y' pipe too.

silverback · Jul 15, 2010

burganb said:
They make two different kinds for the 2000-2003 Dakota 4.7L one with 3 cats and one with just a single cat. I might just buy the single cat version and have someone weld bung holes to put the two O2s close to the exhaust manifold in. The other two are getting ziptied to the frame.

Well sumbitch, mine broke loose this morning. There are two different kinds for the 2000-2003 3.9 also. I like your idea above. Anyone out there have luck doing this?:huh:

burganb · Jul 15, 2010

QUAD DAD said:
Yeah that's weird . My '02 has only one after the 'Y' pipe too.

The 2000-2004 Dakotas were made with two configurations of Y-pipes for various emissions. The single cat Y-pipe configuration was for the 49 states legal. And the 3 cats are for the California state emissions. But from what I've heard Dodge just randomly sent the California legal dakotas all over the country. So its all different in emissions...

silverback said:
Well sumbitch, mine broke loose this morning. There are two different kinds for the 2000-2003 3.9 also. I like your idea above. Anyone out there have luck doing this?:huh:

I'm getting quotes from the local exhaust shops to weld in 4 bung holes, so that the last two O2s aren't just sitting up against the frame. But I'll still be cheating out the last two O2 sensors. If the quotes aren't bad, I'll be ordering my Y-pipe here soon.

MrMcQ · Jul 15, 2010

silverback said:
Well sumbitch, mine broke loose this morning. There are two different kinds for the 2000-2003 3.9 also. I like your idea above. Anyone out there have luck doing this?:huh:

if it's any consolation, my 01 Ram 1500 with a 5.9l has an aftermarket Y-pipe and the shop took one O2 out completely, I only have 1 up and 1 down. Whereas my friends Ram (same exact setup only different color) his has the 3 cat setup. So my thinking is maybe there is a way to completely ditch one of those O2's and only run a single one... But I dunno...

burganb · Jul 16, 2010

I got my quotes today from the two local shops. One guy had no clue what Stainless Steel was (looks like I wont be taking my business there) and the other guy gave me a quote but told me I'd have to find the bungs. He quoted me $10 to weld all four bungs on with a TIG. But he also suggested I just take it to a welding shop and have them do it. Look like I'll be making a couple more calls. Once I find someone that can do the welding, I'll be ordering the pipe.

vortmax · Jul 16, 2010

MrMcQ said:
if it's any consolation, my 01 Ram 1500 with a 5.9l has an aftermarket Y-pipe and the shop took one O2 out completely, I only have 1 up and 1 down. Whereas my friends Ram (same exact setup only different color) his has the 3 cat setup. So my thinking is maybe there is a way to completely ditch one of those O2's and only run a single one... But I dunno...

I think the older federal (one cat) trucks were less anal about the sensors and didn't care as much when a downstream went missing. The Cali (3 cat) systems pitch a fit if all 4 sensors are not in place.

The 3 cat trucks will run with a single cat just fine if you weld in bungs for the upstreams just off the manifolds and place both downstream sensors behind the single cat. You will have to extend wires though.

GWhaley · Jul 16, 2010

burganb said:
The 2000-2004 Dakotas were made with two configurations of Y-pipes for various emissions. The single cat Y-pipe configuration was for the 49 states legal. And the 3 cats are for the California state emissions. But from what I've heard Dodge just randomly sent the California legal dakotas all over the country. So its all different in emissions...QUOTE]

I can vouch for that - mine was bought new in Ontario Canada and it has 3 cats....

4.7L Replacement Y-Pipe

burganb

Neil

GWhaley

burganb

burganb

GWhaley

Dave_NY

gocartone

DocZ

silverback

burganb

burganb

GWhaley

QUAD DAD

silverback

burganb

MrMcQ

burganb

vortmax

GWhaley

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