When I first installed my headers, one sparg plug was having a bit of a problem and not all of the fuel was getting burnt in the cylinder. The cat was glowing bright red from the fuel getting to it. Well the spark plug issue has been taken care of and now I have a really bad rattle that I haven't been able to diagnose.

Could it be coming from the cat being clog from the fuel...???? I really don't know much about the way cats work or what not. It doesn't glow anymore, although every once in a while I will still get a slight burning smell. It is a Catco 3" just so you know. I can't get the cat to break loose from the header pipe, so I would like to know if that could be causing it before I look at a straight pipe or a new cat. Thanks

Matt

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irocet@hotmail.com

drive.to/Stang_Kilr

88 IROC-Z -- 350 L-98, 700R4, Flowmaster, Edelbrock Headers, Catco Cat, K&N, MAF Sceens Removed, Airfoil, March Pullies, Comp Cams Magnum 1.6 Roller Rockers, Bosch Platinum Plugs, Accel 8.8 mm Wires, MSD 6AL, Hypertech Cap & Coil, Hypertech Chip, Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace

 

I had a problem with unburned fuel in a 94 Ranger, and I've gone through 3 cats. They don't clog, they burn out. I had the muffler shop cut the last one off, and it has hollow (like the others). This time, I just had them weld it back on. My problem is in the EGR, so I don't know if that will help you any. Also, I heard a rattle coming from the cats as they burned out. I know it's hollowed out when it stops.

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Jeff

'85 Berlinetta, Special Beater Edition
Mods include a 4bolt 350 with 280*, .460 lift cam, Vortec heads, Comp Cams roller tip rockers, Edelbrock TES headers, no other exhaust . Also, rusted parts on all 4 corners, and crumpled fenders, thanks to the previous owner.

 

I had unburnt fuel collect in the the cat on day, due to gapbridging on one spark plug. After the fuel ignited in the cat, it broke the stuff inside the cat loose and it started rattling like crazy. I just had the cat replaced with a custom made piece of 3" tubing and that solved the problem.

 

I bet that is my problem then. At least I sure hope so, cause beyond that I don't know where to look. I think I'll have the exhaust shop near my place make a 3" pipe for me and I'll see how that goes. Thanks

Matt

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irocet@hotmail.com

drive.to/Stang_Kilr

88 IROC-Z -- 350 L-98, 700R4, Flowmaster, Edelbrock Headers, Catco Cat, K&N, MAF Sceens Removed, Airfoil, March Pullies, Comp Cams Magnum 1.6 Roller Rockers, Bosch Platinum Plugs, Accel 8.8 mm Wires, MSD 6AL, Hypertech Cap & Coil, Hypertech Chip, Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace

 

I had the same problem you do. The cat clogged and stuff because of your hypertech chip. The chip sends more fuel into the engine and changes the air/fuel mixture. This makes some of the fuel not burn all the way and clog the cat. If you dont want your cats to keep clogging either take out your chip or take out your cat and put in a straight pipe. That is what I am going to do so I dont have to keep buying new cat's when I need an inspection sticker.

 

Blue-

I understand what you are saying, but that doesn't make sense, for two reasons I guess. One, those chips are made for stock cars, so I can't see how they would change things that much that they would affect the cat that bad. Two, I have had that chip in there...well, the thing was in there before I bought the car in 97 and that was before any of the other mods and I never had a problem til I got headers.

I guess you could be right, but I don't know that that is the problem in this situation. Since I am not having the fuel problem (sparg plug) now that I was when I first installed the headers, I think that is what caused it. I guess when I take it off and inspect it, I will be able to determine more. Thanks for the suggestion.

Matt

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irocet@hotmail.com

drive.to/Stang_Kilr

88 IROC-Z -- 350 L-98, 700R4, Flowmaster, Edelbrock Headers, Catco Cat, K&N, MAF Sceens Removed, Airfoil, March Pullies, Comp Cams Magnum 1.6 Roller Rockers, Bosch Platinum Plugs, Accel 8.8 mm Wires, MSD 6AL, Hypertech Cap & Coil, Hypertech Chip, Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace

 

Well I only said the chip is the problem(and the thermostat if it is not stock) because when my chip was in i couldnt pass inspection. I had a CO reading of 212 when it was supposed to be under 20. When I took the chip out and put in the stock 195* thermostat, the co reading was about 78 or so. The rest was because my cat was bad so the chip does make a big difference. It changes the timing on your car to which also effects how the fuel is burned. Just giving u the advice the mechanic told me.