fixing up grand am, what cool things have you done?

[bricooper78]

Something I haven't seen said, if the old cat was clogged and bad, was the car bottomed out to break up the ceramic stuff inside it? If not, there was something wrong with the way the car was running to clog up that cat, they don't just "go bad" for no reason.

This is the info I got from a buddy who's done exhaust for, forever. I've never heard anything to dispute it, so I figure he was right. The right thing is just what Aaron said, put it back, stock, and then I'd drive it a bit, and check codes. See what the thing may be reporting.
You're making your problems WAY worse with the poor man's workarounds, they actually cost you far more money

[surfermatt95]

Originally Posted by bricooper78

Something I haven't seen said, if the old cat was clogged and bad, was the car bottomed out to break up the ceramic stuff inside it? If not, there was something wrong with the way the car was running to clog up that cat, they don't just "go bad" for no reason.

This is the info I got from a buddy who's done exhaust for, forever. I've never heard anything to dispute it, so I figure he was right. The right thing is just what Aaron said, put it back, stock, and then I'd drive it a bit, and check codes. See what the thing may be reporting.
You're making your problems WAY worse with the poor man's workarounds, they actually cost you far more money

Thanks yeah the car didn't run when i got it and the lim and uim was ****. and i suppose that coulda caused it, head gasket wasn't too good either. i took car out again after i cleared codes and ran fine. i just don't have money for a cat. so icut it. and put a resonator to quiet it as much aspossible

[bricooper78]

okay, yea, if it's burning coolant and or running rich, that would put gases into the cat that it isn't designed to convert, and over time screws it up, making it fail. that could have lead to a lot of this.
Check around for a cat, that will fit and work properly, they may be cheaper at an exhaust shop, due to them making more on the actual install vs. just selling it... if they'll just sell it to ya.

[surfermatt95]

Originally Posted by bricooper78

okay, yea, if it's burning coolant and or running rich, that would put gases into the cat that it isn't designed to convert, and over time screws it up, making it fail. that could have lead to a lot of this.
Check around for a cat, that will fit and work properly, they may be cheaper at an exhaust shop, due to them making more on the actual install vs. just selling it... if they'll just sell it to ya.

I'm honestly not too worried about it. Not having a cat isn't making the car run bad. if it does ill go buy one

[wrestleandrun]

cel in 4 days