Hey all,
I'm in the middle of swapping the CAT on my 99 E150. I'm going to replace the 2 upstream and 1 downstream O2 sensors. It's the least I can do since i ran it with a hollowed out CAT for 2 years. I'd sure like to go cheap and get some Ultrapower sensors from rockauto.com for 20 bucks a piece; however, I still need to pass Calif. emissions.
Does anyone have any experience with cheaper O2 sensors?
Thanks,
Danny

 

What engine do you have and where are you buying your cats? My E-150 conversion van 4.6 cats are starting to rattle. The direct OEM bolt-in cats are very expensive. like 5-6 hundred a side. I did find one company "Eastern" that they are about $300 a side.
As for the O2 sensors, I bought all four (2 upstream, 2 down stream) from Rockauto. Since I have installed them I have not have any codes come up as I did before. Before I got the van someone had installed High Flow cats in the system, these are the ones that are starting to rattle. My van from the factory had 4 cats, two pre cats and two after cats on each side. there are only two high flow cats in there now and I have no codes. My emission testing past with flying colors. So now that they are rattling, do I replace them with High Flow cats and weld them in as they are now or buy the OEM bolt in?
I believe you need to buy cats that are approved for installation in Cal. and it is my understanding they are more money. Is this correct?
I believe I bought Bosh 02 sensors from Rockauto. I didn't go with the cheap ones, afraid I would be changing them again if I did.

 

I got my CAT from eastern as well. It's a direct OEM fit. I have the 5.4 liter engine. I have only 1 CAT. It's huge. I've heard it referred to as a "torpedo" cat. lol.
They wanted 2200 bucks at the dealership for the cat. I got mine from Rockauto for just over 300. it's not a california cat, but i'm going to take a risk that the smog guys wont look. My good friend (mechanic) told me that most smog guys wont look under a vehicle unless needed. I actually told one of the smog guys that I go to what I was going to do and he laughed and told me to get it nice and dirty before coming in so it wouldn't stand out. lol. I only have 3 O2 sensors, 2 upstream and 1 downstream. Autozone wanted 50 bucks a piece, I got 3 bosch from rockauto for 30 bucks each. I've had my battery disconnected for a few days to clear the check engine light. I'm going to put it all together this weekend and see how it goes. If worse comes to worse, and I get "caught", i'll ask my friend in the next county if I can use his address to register my van; his county does not require bi-annual smog.