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Catco cat problem

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Old Mar 7, 2004 | 01:42 PM
  #1  
Roads88's Avatar
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From: Elk Grove, CA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans-AM
Engine: TPI 350 (5.7L)
Transmission: 700R4
Catco cat problem

Recently, my car was losing power, along with a tranny problem.
Spent alot of time and effort trying to figure out what was going on.

Taking one problem at a time, I had the tranny rebuilt. The mechanic had a couple guys drive the car and they concluded that the cat was bad. This is strange because the Catco cat is less then 6 months old with maybe 2500 miles on it.

The day before yesterday the car got so bad it had to be towed.

I dropped the cat yesterday and sure enough its plugged. I got a hold of summit and they will replace it.

I'm not trying to slam Catco, Just trying to put out a warning.

I have heard that running rich can screw a cat. However, there was no sign of that and the origanal cat was still working after 16yrs.

I sure hope this was just a fluck.

Car sounds mean with no exhaust.

Last edited by Roads88; Mar 7, 2004 at 01:45 PM.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 04:23 AM
  #2  
89Warbird's Avatar
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 1989 GTA Nighthawk
Engine: 389 CID TPI
Transmission: TCI 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.23
I doubt it, my Catco came apart inside the housing so I got one from Random Tech.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 09:55 AM
  #3  
fb305svs's Avatar
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From: Oakville, Ct
Car: 1991Firebird T/A
Engine: 350
Transmission: Modified Viper t-56
Axle/Gears: dana 44, 3.55
no problems here with any catco cats
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 10:33 AM
  #4  
JamesC's Avatar
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
I've swapped in two. No problems.

JamesC
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 01:49 PM
  #5  
Roads88's Avatar
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From: Elk Grove, CA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans-AM
Engine: TPI 350 (5.7L)
Transmission: 700R4
I'm giving catco one more shot. If it goes bad again, I will get something better.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of cases like this one.


hope summit doen't take very long. My tranny has not been put through its paces yet.
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 01:52 PM
  #6  
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From: Winfield, IL
Car: 91 RS
Engine: 350tpi comming soon!
Transmission: fixed the 700r4 again!
i put on a catco cat about 6months ago.. so far no problems..
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Old Mar 9, 2004 | 06:25 PM
  #7  
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From: Northern Illinois
Cats don't plug unless something was passed through it to roach it.
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Old Mar 10, 2004 | 01:14 PM
  #8  
Roads88's Avatar
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From: Elk Grove, CA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans-AM
Engine: TPI 350 (5.7L)
Transmission: 700R4
such as?
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Old Mar 10, 2004 | 05:25 PM
  #9  
AM Racer's Avatar
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From: Northern Illinois
Too much fuel, coolant ( sometimes), leaded fuel or lead bearing additives.
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Old Mar 10, 2004 | 05:33 PM
  #10  
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From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Originally posted by Roads88
I'm giving catco one more shot. If it goes bad again, I will get something better.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of cases like this one.


hope summit doen't take very long. My tranny has not been put through its paces yet.
Did the catco cat that went bad have an AIR tube? I hear if you plug it they won't last very long. I hope this isn't the case because I spent a lot of money on mine and have about the same amount of miles that you described.
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Old Mar 11, 2004 | 10:20 AM
  #11  
Roads88's Avatar
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From: Elk Grove, CA
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans-AM
Engine: TPI 350 (5.7L)
Transmission: 700R4
No...The air tube was open and connected. I'm in California, The land of the "echonazis", so all my smog is up to snuff.


I'f it goes bad, you will slowly lose power. However, mine did not rattle or glow red as others have done.

good luck...
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Old Mar 18, 2004 | 09:36 PM
  #12  
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From: desert of ca
Car: blue 84 z28
Engine: mildly modified 350
Transmission: 700r4
mine glowed red-hot and left me stranded after only 3200 miles. however, my car had been running rich so i dont know if that contributed to the problem.
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Old Mar 18, 2004 | 11:19 PM
  #13  
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From: Northern Illinois
Originally posted by russkull84
mine glowed red-hot and left me stranded after only 3200 miles. however, my car had been running rich so i dont know if that contributed to the problem.
Guaranteed!
It was glowing from all the raw fuel saturating the "brick" inside.
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Old Mar 19, 2004 | 10:39 AM
  #14  
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From: Tallahassee, FL. USA
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 Crate Motor
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.73
I've run the Catcos on two different vehicles with no problems.
-Rich-
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Old Mar 20, 2004 | 12:16 AM
  #15  
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From: Faribault, Minnesota
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
My 3 in high flow cat is doin just fine with about 2500 mi. on it. Sounds very good with just the cat to I wont put exhaust on till my car is painted.

Jason
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