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Getting a throaty growl from exhaust at around 5k RPM, also stalls out when hot.

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Old 10-10-2011, 06:59 AM
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Question Getting a throaty growl from exhaust at around 5k RPM, also stalls out when hot.

I bought a generic "OEM style" catalytic converter off of ebay that me and my father installed ourselves. After about 1000 miles, I am getting this throaty growl coming from the exhaust whenever I hit 5k RPM and above. It also seems like its a bit down on power when it makes this noise.

When I let it idle in my driveway after hearing this, it stalled out once, and had to crank a few times to get started again. I can't seem to get it to make this noise at all when cold. I got a compression test done a week ago and the numbers were mid range, "ok" the technician told me. He did say I had quite a few exhaust leaks and that the rear O2 sensor is showing "no flow". Before I had the compression test I replaced the coils, wires and plugs as well.

It kind of sounds cool but I get this feeling like maybe the cat is blocked already and that noise is coming from exhaust coming out the front of the cat. By the way it has a Borla muffler on it.
Old 10-10-2011, 07:27 AM
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Sounds like you've already killed a cheap cat.
Old 10-10-2011, 08:28 AM
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I am assuming having this clogged cat (if that's what it is) is doing terrible things to the engine? Since, I don't want to drop a grand on an OEM cat, can anyone recommend something that will give me similar noise levels? I bought the car with a midpipe on it of unknown brand and that was WAY too loud for my tastes, and my neighbors ears. That's why I dropped $300 on a knock off cat from ebay.
Old 10-10-2011, 08:31 AM
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Get a davesport cat and have it welded in to your midpipe, or in place of the ebay cat. That is if you want a cat. If not, check out the BHR midpipe. You can get that with a davesport cat as well.
Old 10-10-2011, 09:52 AM
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Leave the cat too long on your car will eventually kill your motor as well....stop driving it before you swap it out...
Old 10-10-2011, 11:27 AM
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did you fix the exhaust leaks?
Old 10-10-2011, 12:36 PM
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I'm going to the muffler shop to have them fix the exhaust leak and look at the cat and see what shape it's in. I'll update soon.
Old 10-10-2011, 01:37 PM
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Muffler shop fixed the exhaust leak. I was missing a bolt between the header and cat. It doesn't smell now, but I'm still getting the grumbley rhythmic roaring sound above 5k rpm. I seem to only be able to do it in second and third gear. Probably 4th but I don't want to be going that fast on the roads around here.

As a side note, the muffler shop guy thought I had an aftermarket header. He thought so because the header had no heat wrapping around it. It might very well be aftermarket, considering when I bought it, it had the racing midpipe and borla exhaust. Does anyone know if the stock header had heat wrapping around it?
Old 10-10-2011, 02:06 PM
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No.
Old 10-10-2011, 03:21 PM
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I tried to get the sound on video. Didn't have a lot of road to film on. :*(

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