Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

There is what sounds like little pieces of metal in my driver side exhaust pipe where the back of the stock pipe after the cat(oe exhaust manifolds)meets the cat back at the flange. I am guessing my cat is starting to fall apart. Do I need to address this is, can any particles get sucked back into the motor? Thank you. Brian.

Majestic9C1

iTrader: (19)

no the particles will not get sucked into the motor.. and yes it sounds like your cats are breaking up

hrcslam

The particles can be sucked in if you have a big *** cam and the cats are higher than the heads, maybe.

Yes you need to address it. Not because the particles (they'll likely never get into the engine), but because the cats will clog up. Throwing off O2 readings, AFR trims, and the added back pressure are all bad for your engine.

jrpimp00

iTrader: (17)

Fix it sooner than later. My buddies C4 vette dumped his big cat few weeks ago. His car kept cutting off cause it was choking so we just gutted it after finding it was totally compacted and falling apart

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys, glad to hear it's not an emergency eventually I will have to replace the cat. Stock cam for now lol.

hrcslam

Not an emergency, but important to fix as soon as possible (even it that means gutting it). A replacement aftermarket cat is cheap, I go mine for $70 installed from a local muffler shop. Call around and see what they can do for you.

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

I will put this at the top of the list . I think I would rather buy a used OEM one, is there a way to tell if they're good? Just out of curiosity would it affect gas mileage? There are no codes or light.

hrcslam

Yes. A damaged cat can cause gas milage to drop along with power. Your car has pre and post cat o2 sensors, so when the cat starts to lose efficiency it'll throw a code. I'd start by making sure your cat is actually the source of the rattle.

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

Ty for that info, my gas mileage sucks. The 02s are 1 year old. A guy I trust told me I was going to need a cat a while ago so I guess it probably is the cat. Does kid gets cut and weld it back in or do you change the entire pipe is attached to?

hrcslam

Depends on how you buy it.

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

I didn't realize it was sold both ways but it certainly makes sense. I guess I have a call to make.

dailydriver

...and where you live as to the (visual/CARB) inspection laws.

hrcslam

Good point. Gotta love AZ.

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

I ended up getting a used one one with the entire pipe. Thankfully, emissions is not a problem for me lol.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

If that's the case, you can just unbolt and gut the stock ones if they're starting to break apart.

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

I agree but I think I would like to keep the cats for now. I will have my exhaust shop just unbolt the driver side & bolt in the new/used oe pipe now that I know how it works lol.