I have a '95 EJ1, it is basically stock except the addition of exhaust and an intake. A few days ago, while coming home, it started to behave rather unusually.
I was just driving when all of a sudden my car started to sound almost like the engine from a motorcycle or a lawn mower. There was some vibration in the petal, and it seemed to increase with the speed of the car. There was not a loss of ability for the car to maintain speed, but at rest it felt as though it was being starved and nearly cut-off without more gas. I noticed when I got out that there was a nasty burning smell coming form the exhaust.
My CEL isn't coming on, and I have talked with a few friends that have been around cars for sometime and they all agree that it sounds like my cat. converter is bad. Does this sound reasonable? I don't want to go through the hassle of replacing parts that don't really need to be, because of budgetary restraints. Any ideas and help would be appreciated.

 

I've searched for info, and can't seem to find anything. What would be the best thing to check? Can I be throwing codes without my CEL on? and, if the CEL doesn't come on, how do I know what my problem is?

 

This may be a stretch man, but this is what my problem was when this happened to me. Where the header connects to the exhaust (I had a B18Cr in a 00 EJ6 Hatch so I know your setup is different, but it's still possible) there are 2 bolts and 2 springs that connect the piping. My bolt broke on one side and it was vibrating like crazy. I picked up some bolts at "Home Depot Motorsports" 'cuz it was a temp fix after my swap, so those bolts sucked. Yours could be loose after the exhaust install. I know it's unusual, but it happened to me. Doesn't hurt to check. Goodluck

 

You could take it to an exhaust shop and they will usually give you a free estimate. If its exhaust related they can tell.