My '91 (305 TBI) is flagging error codes 32, 43 and 44. Something down by the catalytic coverter (perhaps the converter itself) is rattling. I just replaced the air tube from the converter and that didn't resolve the rattle. Car runs like **** at idle.

Could a bad cat coverter cause these errors? If so, does anyone have any recommedations on a converter type that doesn't cost a million dollars? I'd like to keep my car as stock as possible.

 

Get under it, and tap or hit the cat. If it rattles it's bad.
Also check for loose hangers, or loose exhaust heat shields, they will do stuff like that too.

If you need a cat, unless you are stuck on restoring it or having it bone stock factory.
Get a high flow. Usually much cheaper. You can also get those with the air tube if you want to keep it.

 

The converter sounds like there is a marble rattling around in there.

 

that should tell you something , like maybe it's time to remove or replace . good luck .

 

REMOVE..cough cough.....lol. Its cheaper and better flow. I did this to 3 of my TBI cars and never threw a code. Just buy a piece or 2.5" exhaust and replace it yourself, either weld or band clamps work great.
90% of the time the platinum in the convertor breaks up and will either plug the exhaust up completely, or if your lucky break up enough to fall out of muffler.
Dont wait to long i have had one plug exhaust and the manifolds will get red hot and well you know what happens from there....
GOOD LUCK

 

Yeah, if you remove it, you'll be cough-coughing from the pollutants coming out your tailpipe.

Its illegal to remove the cat on a street car in all 50 United States, regardless of whether your state does emissions checks or not.

Magnaflow, Randon Technology, and Catco all sell good "high-flow" cats. Better get one now though, because I heard after Jan 1st they are required to work better, which will make them flow less. Or that might just be in CA on OBD2 cars.

 

Does anyone have an opinion about the "universal" converters? Autozone and Discount websites claim that's all they have around this area.

 

the man to ask is dyno don. and i was also told recently by an exhaust shop that as of jan 1, 2009 all new exhaust work had to be converters for obd II cars even if they are OBD I's.
but i have not asked dyno don about that one.

 

yea universals do work. Weve installed a few. just make sure you get the right size other wise your have more money in buying reducers, clamps and extensions. But if money is not an option id buy a high flow, several on ebay. just get on there and look at sizes and lengths before you hack yours off. That wayyou dont have to spend 5oo to have it done at exhaust shop.

 

Universal converters are simply the cat and some pipe on the ends so you can weld it into your existing exhaust. The "direct-fit" ones have flanges on the end so you can bolt it into your existing exhaust. Most of us have replaced the exhaust either in front of the cat with headers and y-pipe or after the cat with a cat-back exhaust, so you'll want the universal cat anyway.

 

thats what auto-tars told me about my car. Buddy works there now and let me play with their computers lol. i ended up finding a direct fit converter that was more pricey, but fit like a glove. I bought the 3" single cat for a 87-90 tpi l98 350 car