catalytic converter question

[maverick1h8]

can some one tell me the answer to this question as i haven't seem to find one from my local dealer. I own a 02/ls 3.9l v8 I have a magnaflow cat back exhaust on it. I went to replace the original catalytic converters with new ones from eastern but was told by both eastern and ford/lincoln that 2000-2001 are not the same as the 02 and the parts are not interchangeable between 01 and 02. Can someone tell me exactly what the difference is between the two years as every bit of info that i have found thus far at least mechanically there is no difference between the engines or exhaust systems on the 2001 and 2002. Can anyone shed some light on the differences in the catalytic converters other than difference in part #s which isn't uncommon from year to year even if the parts are identical. Any help re: this matter would be greatly appreciated

 

[camthman]

never heard of that....

 

[97stscaddy]

You could just take off your old one and compare the two.

but it seems to me the cats come with new pipes from the manifold back to just in front of the resonators. So I would think you can swap them no problem as long as you do the whole section.