Man, the 2001 cherokee's are a PITA with their emissions systems.

My exhaust is rusted out, need a new front pipe, cat and cat back...

I've identified the front pipe as the walker 53440 and am going with the dynomax cat back, but the magnaflow cat ( p/n 23226) says its only good until 2000 CARB compliant, I'm assuming bc of the CA emissions junk. Can I just install the 23226 and run it or are there physical differences/ECM differences that I need to be aware of??

Thanks!

 

The 2001 has all its O2 sensors up front around the precats, so you can put pretty much anything in the back. The computer doesn't know what's going on back there and isn't going to care.

I believe the product number you have selected is without flanges, meaning it wouldn't bolt up directly to that walker crossover pipe. It's meant to weld or clamp in. It also has the O2 sensor bung, which you would have to plug.

The reason it's listed as applicable up to 2000 is that you had a choice between EPA and CA emissions in 2000, where you didn't have that choice in 2001. The 23226 is meant to be used through 1999 and in the 2000s that had EPA emissions. But again, that's only because Magnaflow can't legally sell it for the CA emissions vehicles.

I have a Magnaflow 93208 on my 2000 with EPA emissions. It's the direct fit version with the flanges, so it bolted right up. It's also another $50 more expensive than the one you picked. But it also has the bung for a rear O2 sensor, which you don't have, so you'd have to plug it up, Carrie.

The "right" cat for your truck is the 447224, which costs about $300. I seriously doubt there's any difference between the 93208 and the 447224 other than a CARB sticker and the lack of an O2 bunghole.

If you don't need to be CARB compliant, I'd go with the 93208 and a plug. But I'm lazy and willing to spend the money on the flanges rather than cutting that Walker pipe and welding them up.

Oh, and one other thing regarding that Walker pipe: A few people have had some weird fitment issues with those. The last one I remember, the pipe showed up an inch or two too short, and the guy had to return it and get another one. Just keep in mind you might have a defect if it resists bolting up on the first attempt.