Ok, here is the situation. My SVT Contour is throwing the P0420 code, which is a bank 1 O2 sensor code.
From what I have been able to read up, its not the sensor itself that is typically at fault, but the pre-cat. There are a few remedies that will temporarily fix the code (involving B12, cooking the cat, etc) but the inevitable fact of the matter is that the cat is toast and will need to be replaced. My car is past the 70K mark (just turned 80K), hence past warranty replacement (CA car) and as you know they are quite costly.
What seems to be the preferred choice is two options:
1. Gut the pre-cats and run MIL eliminators
2. Replace pre-cats & manifolds with headers (MSDS) and use MIL eliminators.
Both 1 & 2 are now fully dependant on the main cat now, most likely a new Y-pipe/cat combo added at the same time as the headers if that option is taken.
I fully understand the concept of the MIL eliminators, they "fool" the ECU into thiking everyhing is ok with the O2 sensors even though the sensor signals are dynamic, transitioning between 0 & 1.0V depending on the mixture.
I also understand that the pre-cats are used primarily during startup and as long as the car has been warmed up, it should pass the sniffer part of the test. I'm hoping, with the engine bay being so packed, its will make it difficult to see if the pre-cats are there or not.
What I want to know, which is why I posted this in the CA part of the forum is... ...who has done this personally? I've read alot of, "yeah I've heard it works or so and so did it". No first hand accounts.
I don't want to drop a G only for things not to work out.
Any input is appreciared & TIA,
