...or is it just me? My 3" in/out Catco Cat glows orange and my tailpipe can pretty much burn me. I've got a 385 CID TBI'd engine, and Edelbrock TES's through a 3" single exhaust. Am I running lean? Is my timing way out of whack? Both? Easy way to tell which it is?

Steve

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Steve's Trans Am Temple

 

Tailpipes usually are hot to the touch. A glowing cat could mean its plugged. Check the temperature before and after the cat with a probe. The after temp should be considerably hotter.

Are your exhaust manifolds glowing too?

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92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
K&N Open Air Filter, Edelbrock performer TBI intake, Fastchip Prom, Timing +4 degrees, Centerforce clutch, Xact 8mm wires, SLP 1 3/4" Headers (coated), Flowmaster Catback Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps, MacEwen white-face guages
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers.
NEXT UP: TBI mods, 3.42 gears w/Torsen posi

 

I second that, never grab a tailpipe after the car has been running, while the cat glowing I would check that out.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
FLOWMASTER, NO CAT
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
2:73 GEARS
Rebuilt 700R4, with manual valve body
B&M Megashifter
Soon to be installed
3:73 Richmond Gears and 3" Hooker Aero Chamber
Corvette Servo & .500 boost valve
15.61@ 95.2mph G-Teched, 1-2 shift slippage
"There is nothing more addicting than speed"

 

Well, the cat glows a nice orange, but the headers don't. I also get some backfiring in the exhaust which leads me to believe that I have a rich condition - fuel exploding in the pipe. I mean my tail pipe is hot enough to melt the plastic that sheaths the emergency brake line - that doesn't thrill me as my fuel tank is back there as well...

Steve

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Steve's Trans Am Temple

 

Check for a plugged cat and also check your timingand A/F ratio, there has to be a reason your exhaust is "glowing" hot. I have SLP haders and catback with a Catco cat. The headers, y-pipe and cat are very hot after driving but from behind the cat and back to the muffler it is just "hot" and the tips always remain somewhat cool.