Catalytic Converter Falling Apart!

[PorscheG96]

I've always had a bit of an exhaust rattle, probably from one of the heat shields beneath the car, but two weeks ago something came loose within the catalyst and it's a disgustingly LOUD tinking of metal. Obviously it's time for a new cat, anyone have a suggestion on aftermarket/high flow units? It isn't possible that something broke apart further up in the exhaust and found it's way into the cat, is it...and when I replace the cat, should I have piping done or leave it stock if the cat requires no modification? -Trevor

[justin]

I would just get a test pipe......

[944jeff]

I had the same problem. A few days ago I yanked the rear exhaust and dumped out a golf ball size of melted metal along with about 30 pebbles with a bit of screen. Put it back on and no more rattle! - A test pipe will be much louder...

[rscupper]

Remove cat. Shove all the rest of the stuff out of the cat with a broom handle. Reinstall hollow cat. You'll love the performance.

However, we're in California where the Smog Nazis rule . I suppose you'll have to put another cat on before your next inspection - or find someone who can ... uh ... circumvent that bit of regulatory nonsense .

[944jeff]

OOOOH! Thanks for the advice. Iwas thinking of doing something like that and didn't realize it was so easy!

[rscupper]

944jeff, search for a recent thread here in Pelican on how best to do this. There are some great comments on the results, too.

[PorscheG96]

I highly doubt that gutting the cat will cause me not to pass smog inspection. These cars run pretty cleanly...most Porsches are very efficient unless you've got something wrong with the timing or air/fuel ratio. So simply remove the cat and bang the **** outta there...hahah, I'll do it! -Trevor

[944jeff]

Well..afer some resarch here ai think I'm just going to leave it alone. Reports vary but it seems that there are only modest hp gains, (even maybe less low end power?), not necessarily an easy job to bang out of there, and may be too load for my taste. I'll put my time into fixing the $%2! sunroof. Another one of those easy to pain in the butt things!

[Blackfoot]

trevor, i'm pretty sure by gutting the cat, you won't be able to pass smog. if i'm wrong and it does pass, let me know!

[Osterhouse]

Originally posted by justin
I would just get a test pipe......

[pete13]

Is a test pipe a system w/out a cat? How loud is a test pipe w/ a bursch muffler?

[Bob's944]

A test pipe is a piece of pipe to replace the cat section. Running w/o a cat w/ a bursch will sound like a race car. You can tone it down alil by putting a strait-thru resonator in place of the cat instead of a test pipe.