Bad Catalytic Convertor?

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
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Petrucci914
Posts: 991
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 12:33 am

Bad Catalytic Convertor?

Post by Petrucci914 »

Hello,Lately when I take off from a stop I hear a clanking sound underneath. This started a few months after I installed my DC Sports Header. I was thinking there was a loose bolt but I doesn't seem that way (I'll check it soon). Lately it seems like it shifts a little crappier especially at low RPMs and low gears and my gas mileage has never been that great........... do you think maybe a bad catalytic convertor? I knew someone that thought their transmission was bad but their cat was so clogged and he couldn't move at all. Any thoughts on this? I can get a Magnaflow hi-flow cat for 55$ so I plan on buying one anyways........... thanks.
2003 Pontiac Vibe Base - AutomaticTRD Supercharger w/ Smoothflow PulleyaFe Drop-in Filter - DC Sports HeaderFull 2.25" Exhaust -Magnaflow Catback + CatsOptima RedTop - Tru-Cool Tranny Cooler
CAN-AWD-VIBE
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Post by CAN-AWD-VIBE »

then who cares... just buy the high flow and if the noise and your power problems are gone, bonus.if not then let us know
CAN-AWD-VIBE03 Neptune AWDInjen CAI, Hotchkis springs, custom magnaflow exhaust w/4" tip, tint, window deflectors, stubby antenna, 3pc Mr. Grille, foglight conversion mod, Grafxwerks front & steering wheels overlays, Injen oil cap, strut tower brace, P225/45R17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, 17" ADR Sokudos
Petrucci914
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Re: (CAN-AWD-VIBE)

Post by Petrucci914 »

Your thinking is the reason my credit card bill is higher than my savings account, lol........... oh well, I still like that thinking.
2003 Pontiac Vibe Base - AutomaticTRD Supercharger w/ Smoothflow PulleyaFe Drop-in Filter - DC Sports HeaderFull 2.25" Exhaust -Magnaflow Catback + CatsOptima RedTop - Tru-Cool Tranny Cooler
CAN-AWD-VIBE
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Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:31 am

Re: (Petrucci914)

Post by CAN-AWD-VIBE »

lol I had to put out two cards with a fire extinguisher after my wife got back from the mall today... i dont mind that kind of thinking seriously, you might have a cat problem or you might have loose bolts or a heat shield? But if you plan on replacing the cat with the high flow anyway, then get it, eliminate it as a suspect and pick up a better flowing exhaust while your at it.it is also my specialty to talk myself (or you in this case) into doing this kind of stuff, its way more fun this way I promise. I am not the best with saving money but I can sure spend it.
CAN-AWD-VIBE03 Neptune AWDInjen CAI, Hotchkis springs, custom magnaflow exhaust w/4" tip, tint, window deflectors, stubby antenna, 3pc Mr. Grille, foglight conversion mod, Grafxwerks front & steering wheels overlays, Injen oil cap, strut tower brace, P225/45R17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, 17" ADR Sokudos
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joatmon
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Re: Bad Catalytic Convertor? (Petrucci914)

Post by joatmon »

post up some info on that $55 cat, I had to replace mine and it was over $500, a daler only part. Is that a special deal just for you, or ithat an everyone price?
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CAN-AWD-VIBE
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Post by CAN-AWD-VIBE »

you can get the magnaflows on ebay or whatever for about $50-$70universal fit, so a trip to the shop is required, but install cost and results are worth it. IMHO. Better then the $500 touch at the dealer for the same old restrictive, clogging up too fast OEM cat.
CAN-AWD-VIBE03 Neptune AWDInjen CAI, Hotchkis springs, custom magnaflow exhaust w/4" tip, tint, window deflectors, stubby antenna, 3pc Mr. Grille, foglight conversion mod, Grafxwerks front & steering wheels overlays, Injen oil cap, strut tower brace, P225/45R17 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, 17" ADR Sokudos
Lancer
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Re: Bad Catalytic Convertor? (Petrucci914)

Post by Lancer »

When my pre-cat blew out and emptied into the main cat, it had a deffinate rattle (from all the chunks of the core) and like you said, it takes off from a stop really slow and just seems like it was loosing power. Give the cat a good rap with you knuckles. If you hear the rattle, you got your answer.I got mine off a e-bay store for $36. After I bought that one, I found another with the O2 sensor bung for $30. It's a highflow, metal core, 2 1/2" in/out. It's a little smaller than the magnaflow one cause it doesn't have the heat shield. Too bad the idiot that istalled it, tore into my borla piping and put it just before the borla muffler. But it shouldn't cost much at all to have it installed. Maybe $50 at the most.
18" Enkei's & Kumho Ecsta's-------UNICHIP Eibach Sport springs----------Morroso oil pan Injen CAI & Oil cap----------Stage 2 FI cams Custom Exhaust-----------TRD Supercharger AEM alt. pulley -------JSP Carbon Fiber hood 380cc injectors----DC Sports ceramic header
Petrucci914
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Re: Bad Catalytic Convertor? (Lancer)

Post by Petrucci914 »

Ebay has the Magnaflow for 55$. You'll have to pay to have it welded on and such, of course.
2003 Pontiac Vibe Base - AutomaticTRD Supercharger w/ Smoothflow PulleyaFe Drop-in Filter - DC Sports HeaderFull 2.25" Exhaust -Magnaflow Catback + CatsOptima RedTop - Tru-Cool Tranny Cooler
Petrucci914
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Re: Bad Catalytic Convertor? (Petrucci914)

Post by Petrucci914 »

Which of these would work better? Do you think I need to spun one in order for it to feet nicely? I think the other universal one may be too big. Give me your thoughts. Thanks.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...58746h ... s...58759I don't need one with a bung, correct?
2003 Pontiac Vibe Base - AutomaticTRD Supercharger w/ Smoothflow PulleyaFe Drop-in Filter - DC Sports HeaderFull 2.25" Exhaust -Magnaflow Catback + CatsOptima RedTop - Tru-Cool Tranny Cooler
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