Aftermarket Cats Experiences?

I have a few Tundras. A 2017 Limited that I baby - owned it since 13k miles, 2018 SR that I bought super cheap (had a small head gasket leak) all sorted now. One of the things I replaced on it was the drivers side cats. Went with magnaflow, it was an easy install and I've put about 30k miles on it now with no issues or codes. It's my work truck now.

Anyways, I live and work away from "home" my buddy that buys repos from a local bank helped me get a third Tundra this week. 2015 1794 with around 178k on it. While it was sitting at the bank someone stole the cats. I know since I've had a good experience with magna flow I'd probably go with those if there's not too much else wrong with it (I go home for a week or so at a time so I'll be able to check it over good the end of this month or next). My buddy forgot his scanner when he went to look at it but there was only a check engine light - it was solid and no other lights on and fired right up. Also, one of the tires was a slashed. So not too sure what all it's going to need yet but at the price I gave - I figure it was worth the gamble. He's pretty tight with the guy that does the repos there and he had told him it drove good and was quiet last time he drove it around town.

I'm just trying to prepare myself for the thought of spending $1200 on magnaflows not being worth it for this one. It's mostly just going to be a driver for when I'm home about 10 weeks out of the year so worst case scenario, I could save some money and drive it with the CEL on. I'm hoping there's not too much wrong with it and I feel comfortable dropping the money on magnaflows.

But, I was just wondering if there's anyone who's had a good experience with cheaper aftermarket replacements or even something to trick the downstream sensors?

This won't be in a state that checks emissions. From my memory of past research, there isn't a good way to delete cats on these and tune it / trick it for the engine light but, if there's anyone that has had success with this I'd be interested in that.

 

I would have to find the thread but I would stay away from aftermarket cats. A few have tried them during the cat theft spikes and have had issues with them.

 

Yeah I've seen a bunch that mentioned they still had CEL. I think I found a few that had luck with Walkers but those might be a gamble as well. I know for sure I won't put OEM on this truck. From what I can tell that won't be worth the investment on this one. I'm HOPING a few people might chime in with some anecdotal good experiences on something cheaper than magnaflows.

 

Installed the Welker on an 07 it worked fine but didn't keep it much longer. For about 1/3 of price figured it was worth the gamble.

Did talk to a local muffler shop who offered a weld in that he recommended but was like $500ish which was more than the Welker.

 

Cat CELs seems to be triggered by the secondary O2s. They can be tuned out or fixed by defouler/extenders/mini cats. Problem is there is some trial and error and some states don't allow some of these devices.