11 yr old Ford F-150, needs manifolds/cat converter replaced, fix or buy new?

depends what they are made, of cast manifolds can crack and be difficult to weld so it depends on your ability. Aftermarket steel headers will probably be cheaper than original ford. However used ones could easily have small cracks that are difficult to see, so if you get them used try to get them off a complete engine so you can know thew probably were not removed due to cracks. As for the cat, in most states they must be replaced by law and reusing a used cat can be illegal

If you have a gas motor, go with CARB approved headers WITH copper gaskets.

Go to a muffler shop and get the cats replaced there.

Decent headers can be had for as little as 100.00

If the manifolds are not cracked, make that a tax time upgrade.

I would love to get headers for my 6.9, but haven't found any yet...

Buy new manifolds, but better bet is some of these places people are telling you as most dealer prices are way higher and fixing it will only have it crack somewheres else later on

Get the Cats installed by a muffler shop as they are way cheaper than the dealer also

call the house of manifolds they are great and will ship it to you they are located in san diego ca, 760 598 1210

the pas,side manifold is common to go out i have a f 250 also with 160k miles going strong they also sell cats

Your modern truck is tremendously sturdy. extra helpful than my automobile, extra helpful than maximum peoples' autos. in case you opt for a clean Ford you may probable purchase one quickly because of the fact Ford is going to probable be out of business enterprise in a pair extra years. all human beings would be making use of Toyotas. additionally, while Hillary is president there is going to be a carbon tax, an determination fuels tax, and a international warming tax, gasoline costs are going to skyrocket, and that i additionally are waiting for that when some years there will be greenhouse emission rules which in simple terms enable hybrids and ethanol autos on the line and strictly-gasoline powered autos would be prohibited. all human beings would be making use of around in battery powered autos and flying in battery powered 747s. So perhaps you may wait on the Challenger and see if that happens, see if gasoline remains available interior of here couple of years.

get some CARB approved headers and replace the cats with approved ones,some of the low cost generic ones will fail with high heat applications

Fix it. These are minor problems that won't take alot of time or money to fix.

The junkyard is where it's at! Why buy new when used will do?

If everything else is good and your are happy with it, by all means repair it.