Evaluating catalytic converter (off the car)

[500_19B]

Yesterday I removed the heat exchangers from my '85 Carrera to facilitate new oil return tube installation.

I was curious about the catalytic converter condition as the car is just over 100K. I remember reading in the 101 projects book that you should be able to see some light coming through. I tried shining my work light directly into the inlet end of the cat but I could not detect any light shining through even with my eye right up to the outlet.

The cat otherwise seems fine. It is quiet when I shake it. What I'm wondering is if the lack of light shining through is truly indicative of a clogged cat?

Thanks for looking!

[dmwallace]

Given the age of your car, unless you have to have the cat to pass emissions inspection, why not just replace it with a cat bypass (a.k.a. euro pre-muffler)? When I did this on the '89 3.2 I formerly owned it improved the exhaust note and also reduced the "blast furnace" effect that occurred every time I walked past the left rear wheel well after driving the car for any distance.

Pelican has products by Fabspeed and M&K; both have a hole for the O2 sensor used by the Motronic on your car.