I have a 2004 Audi A6 Quattro Automatic 3.0L with 99k miles and I am getting CEL of P0431 Catalytic Converter Bank 2. I plan on keeping this car for another 3-4 years at the most. So I need a new catalytic converter but is there a good aftermarket one? All the Muffler shops I went to say I need the original cat from the dealer. Anyone have good experiences from a aftermarket one? If so which one? Or know where I can get the original for cheap? Also which side is bank 2 on the 3.0

Thanks!

 

Mine is shot as well. The only cats that I know of are the dealer models. Regardless, I believe that the transmission or engine needs to be moved to replace them. I modified some spark plug non foulers to keep the engine from throwing a code.

 

Your car is newer, so I don't know if the same model will work, but I put Magnaflow cats on my '99 and they worked fine. The downside is that you'll need a reciprocating saw with some good blades to cut the old ones off and a welder to put the new ones in. The upside is that they only cost about sixty bucks each. They hang down about an inch lower than the stock ones, but unless your car is really lowered, I don't think you would have any trouble.

 

I second the vote for a MagnaFlow cat. Any decent muffler shop can do this for you. If they say they can't, well, now you know they aren't a decent muffler shop!

AS to which side is which, just do both sides and be happy!

Good luck,

Bob

 

If you are in California, most shops will not install 49 state converters. Unfortunately OEM is the only available/approved converters for our cars in CA that I know of. If someone has any info on inexpensive 50 state legal converters, please chime in.

 

do a long fuel injection service i did mine an 02 a6 2.7 w both cat codes and seefoam in the tank ck light did not reappear ... im a master ase tech this saved me 2 grand DONT JUST REPLACE CATS DUE MY RECOMMENDS AND KEEP YOUR MONEY IN YOUR POCKET good luck kevin

 

If you do need cats there are companies which recore the OEM cats for about 1/3 the price of new. They usually have replacements in stock. I used a recore on my 1993 Audi 100 a number of years ago from Connecticut Catalytic. The one cat cost $350 vs. $900+ for new.