2016 Catalytic Converter/Toyota Issue

Long story made short:

A year ago I left work to find that my catalytic converters were stolen from my 2016 Tundra. My choices were to either use a reputable and trustworthy local muffler shop that could replace them for around $1,300 in a week or go with Toyota that was charging $6,000 and a 6 month waitlist for parts...I chose the local muffler shop as I could not go without my truck for that period of time.

A year later, my check engine light pops up right as I hit my 5,000 mile recommended maintenance.. Drop the truck off and they are telling me that the current "aftermarket" catalytic converters "do not play well with Toyota trucks" and that my only option to resolve this issue is to have OEM catalytic converters replaced for $5,500.

In the past 12 months since having my catalytic converters replaced, I have not had a single issue with the trucks performance, gas mileage, etc...Runs and drives like the day I bought it new.

My questions are: Is this really something I need to address and replace now even if I have not had any issues with the truck? Should I worry about the longevity of the truck if these "aftermarket" catalytic converters really do not work on tundras? Is this not a big deal but toyota has to recommend OEM parts?

I understand that my issue and questions can be rather vague without certain details, but in general, do you think this is something I need to address now so I don't regret this in the future or something Toyota is just recommending since its not OEM?

I have been considering having an aftermarket exhaust system installed on my truck. Maybe this would be the route to go?

I could provide the check engine codes if that would give better insight to my specific issue.

Thanks for any input.

 

Engine codes will help people give you better advice.

Aftermarket cats seem hit or miss. Some trucks have a lot of issues with them and others have none. Running your aftermarket cats long term shouldn't be an issue.

Aftermarket exhaust shouldn't throw any codes if that is your concern.

 

If I were to go down the route of replacing the entire exhaust system with a true aftermarket set up, do companies offer the entire exhaust system that includes the catalytic converters?

Could I go to a website like magnaflow and create my own set up by purchasing the catalytic converters there?

 

@dirtydeeds is the guy to talk to about custom exhausts.

Most exhausts commonly sold are "cat back" exhaust and keep the cats in place and only change everything else behind the cats.

When you say you want to replace the "entire exhaust" it sounds like you intend on replacing your OEM headers with long tube headers. If so that is when you need to consider moving/replacing cats; the header length prevents the cats from keeping their stock positions. Some of the LTH options offer CARB compliant hi flow cat replacements; Stainless Works is one such company. I think I've seen one other LTH company offer to ship with cats.

You can also opt to keep you OEM cats (this wont apply to you since you've replaced them). Some people delete the two rear cats or straight pipe it. Depends on your state and local laws what you can get away with; federally it is prohibited to mess with the emissions devices.