So it all began when our 2007 Navigator began exhibiting a CEL. Codes displayed were for Cat efficiency, and misfire on cylinders 5,6,7, and 8. To me, this was a common sense situation. I consulted "experts" with these trucks, and was told that a bad catalytic converter would cause power loss, but could not cause misfire.
Misfire became an understatement fast. She got so bad, that under any high load situation she would sound like ant-aircraft guns were firing from the driver's side of her engine. Getting on the highway became a nightmare from [censored]. Not good, since this is the official tow vehicle.
I conducted more research on the problem before taking any action, and discovered it to be essentially common wisdom that bad cats cannot cause misfire. Removing the driver's side 02 sensor proved otherwise. Power came back, no misfire.
Ford wanted more than $2000 for the cats, which was not going to happen. I thought about straight pipes to replace the cats, since I drove over a bump that caused them both to fall off the exhaust, fortuitously enough.
Problem is, Ford modular V8s get very snappy out of the exhaust when pipes are used to replace cats. I ordered a pair of stainless Vibrant resonators instead, and conscripted our welder to do the deed. I was then exposed to another expert opinion:
Welder: "What do you think you're going to get out of this?"
Me: "The ability to use the engine above 3000 rpm."
Welder: "Look, you're still going to get a CEL-"
Me: "-and I'll put in MIL elimnators, so no problem-"
Welder: "-and it'll still be loud as f-"
Me: "-hence the resonators."
Welder: "Ya, but I do Ford trucks all of the time, and it doesn't matter what you use. I've replaced cats with Magnaflow resonators; the best in the business, multi-path mufflers, aftermarket cats, and it's always loud and nasty. These are straight-flow resonators! You can see straight through them! I'll do it for you, but it's gonna sound like s*!@! A straight pipe would b-"
Me: "Not going to happen with this engine".
Welder: "Only thing that will keep it quiet is a stock catalytic from the dealer."
Me: "Very well. You pay for it, and I'll bolt it in myself."
Welder: ".........."
After all was said and done, I started up our truck, and surprise, surprise. No way to tell it's not a stock exhaust. Silent as ever. If I get down low near the tail pipe itself, I can hear a bit more V8 burble, but no snappiness.
I know the Indian is crying a little tear because we don't have cats anymore, but seriously? $2000+ to rent disposable rare metals for another 90k miles or less? GTFO. Make them cheaper and more durable, and I'll consider that bull.
Pics:
Good kitty!
BAD kitty!
Misfire became an understatement fast. She got so bad, that under any high load situation she would sound like ant-aircraft guns were firing from the driver's side of her engine. Getting on the highway became a nightmare from [censored]. Not good, since this is the official tow vehicle.
I conducted more research on the problem before taking any action, and discovered it to be essentially common wisdom that bad cats cannot cause misfire. Removing the driver's side 02 sensor proved otherwise. Power came back, no misfire.
Ford wanted more than $2000 for the cats, which was not going to happen. I thought about straight pipes to replace the cats, since I drove over a bump that caused them both to fall off the exhaust, fortuitously enough.
Welder: "What do you think you're going to get out of this?"
Me: "The ability to use the engine above 3000 rpm."
Welder: "Look, you're still going to get a CEL-"
Me: "-and I'll put in MIL elimnators, so no problem-"
Welder: "-and it'll still be loud as f-"
Me: "-hence the resonators."
Welder: "Ya, but I do Ford trucks all of the time, and it doesn't matter what you use. I've replaced cats with Magnaflow resonators; the best in the business, multi-path mufflers, aftermarket cats, and it's always loud and nasty. These are straight-flow resonators! You can see straight through them! I'll do it for you, but it's gonna sound like s*!@! A straight pipe would b-"
Me: "Not going to happen with this engine".
Welder: "Only thing that will keep it quiet is a stock catalytic from the dealer."
Me: "Very well. You pay for it, and I'll bolt it in myself."
Welder: ".........."
After all was said and done, I started up our truck, and surprise, surprise. No way to tell it's not a stock exhaust. Silent as ever. If I get down low near the tail pipe itself, I can hear a bit more V8 burble, but no snappiness.
I know the Indian is crying a little tear because we don't have cats anymore, but seriously? $2000+ to rent disposable rare metals for another 90k miles or less? GTFO. Make them cheaper and more durable, and I'll consider that bull.
Pics:
Good kitty!
BAD kitty!
