Catalytic Converter Rattling, How Many Do I Have?

[120inna55]

MY '98 TA (non-WS6) has about 110k miles on it and it's making a rattle that I'm almost certain is a catalytic converter. Just this morning I got an SES light.

Forgive the stupid question, but how many catalytic convertors dose my TA have on it?

How much should I expect to pay to have it fixed?

I'm not interested in gutting it, by the way.

[FinZ28]

Stock, you have two. 1997+ V8 F-bodies all came equipped with dual converters from the factory.

As far as price goes, I'm not sure. I know you can get high-flow replacement cats but they aren't exactly cheap.

[120inna55]

Thanks for the reply.

I was quoted by a shop ~$200/each plus labor. So, approximately $450. Does that sound right?

Am I hurting anything by waiting a bit to have 'em fixed? I only drive it 12 miles/day round-trip, M-F.

[FinZ28]

Price sounds about right, I guess. What kind of converters are they going to use to replace yours?

As far as driving with bad cats? Other than the noise they make, your fuel economy and power could suffer some since your engine won't be running at 100% efficiency. You might start throwing codes related to the O2 sensors, possibly.

[whitdog54]

sure the rattle is the cat and not heat shield? I know they can rattle, but heat sheilds are very common and I would check those first if you havent. Maybe save some money!

[120inna55]

As far as what they're replacing 'em with? Beats me. I assume something comparable to OEM.

Yeah, I've been noticing the rattle for about 3 months. It comes and goes. This morning, however, I got the SES light for the first time.

[FinZ28]

+1 for checking the heat shields under the car.

Did you get the car scanned after the light came on? If your cats are bad, I'm betting it's an O2 efficiency code that's been set.

[120inna55]

...Did you get the car scanned after the light came on? If your cats are bad, I'm betting it's an O2 efficiency code that's been set.

No, I didn't get it scanned. I assumed it was a no-brainer. No point in having it scanned until I'm ready to fix it.

[120inna55]

sure the rattle is the cat and not heat shield?...

I'm just assuming it's the cats. Would be pretty coincidental to now have an SES light. I'm 99% sure that's what it is. Opening up the throttle shuts down the rattle for a little while, too.

[Smittro]

You can get high flow cats from Ebay dirt cheap.

[FinZ28]

Get the car scanned for peace of mind, if nothing else. You'd hate to replace the cats and turn around to find you have another issue that's totally unrelated to the catalytic converters.

[SMWS6TA]

Another sign that the cats are going is a drop in power. Think of it like a kid having an asthma attack. Check the code 1st like Chris said.

Also depending on what the inspections are in your area if you need to get the CATs back on. Some cities like DFW have cali smog laws while those that are in the rural areas do not.

[raynor139]

For 400 you can get magnaflow high flow oem style cats or like smitro said ebay ones for dirt cheap just have to be custom welded in.

[cobra12345]

can you put up a sound video i got a rattle also no codes its real bad when car is cold i checked heatsheilds look fine to me