Hey there guys, I had a question about the Catalyic converter. I'm not sure if i spelt it correctly but I think you guys know what I mean. I have a 99 acura integra and I just added a header for my car. So basically I have installed an aem cai, custom catback exhaust and the header.

All of a sudden I get a weird noise now underneath my car. I think the noise is coming from the cat converter and I was wondering if I should replace it? Does the stock cat converter usually create a noise like that? is that normal since there is more power going through it?

Well whatever the case is this noise is bothering me and I got to get rid of it. I was wondering what cat converters can I get that are a good price and that are legal. I don't want to get pulled over for having a racing cat or anything.

BTW... the noise sounds like a whistle or like air leaking through of some sort. I also get a rattling noise. I believe thats the heat shields making that noise. In any case let me know on what I should do about this situation.

 

You might want to jack the car up and give things down there a little shake to see what is/might be making the sound. HTH. Cats have been known to get old and the inner ''brick" breaks off and rattles inside the cat itself.

 

I belive so that the spring and bolts are tighten to the max but i will check that out tomorrow but is it true since I have more air flow running through that the stock converter will not be able to handle it?

If that is the case then should I replace my cat? If so what cat is a good price that will not be illegal, if not then what can i get that will not be as noticeable.

I would really prefer not to change the cat but if i have to i'll do it.

joe

 

Also what other things could I try to findout where the noise is coming from.


joe

 

Teken's back!

 

Speaking of cats and weird noises....I am now on cat #3.....in 5 months, and this one, althouhg it works ok makes a scratchy, raspy, hissing sound every time i get around 3500 rpm, in my teg LS with i/h/e. It sounds almost like a high pitched rattle, or like a loud sucking sound....its really hard to descride.

Anyways, if anyone konws why i am breaking cats, or what the sound is...i would appreciate it.....and BTW, my plugs show my air/fuel mix is fine.

 

I don't know about that. I'll verify the springs and rings on it but i only have 40,000 miles on my car and its a 1999. I doubt that they are corroded or anything. It makes a raspy noise though like a sucking sound and rattles too. Its really weird. I don't like the sound though.


joe

 

Yea, and its NOT an OEM cat, i think its just a cheap one.....I am ordering a new hi-flow.......should help solve the problem.....any recommendations???? i was thinking carsound, or catco.

 

besides the dounts and the springs being tight what else could i check to see if thats the problem.

I was thinking and I think the rattling noise may be coming from my exhaust. If thats the cause what should I do about the exhaust or is that normal on most exhausts for a rattling noise?

the rattling part may be the exhaust and the hissing sound maybe from the cat. I'm pretty sure.

joe

 

I had this problem, im figuring it is just like mine, sounds like air is being forced out, mine was a corroded donut gasket. Only like 10-15 from a honda dealer and also check your 2 springs on the flange. Take it easy.

 

Ok guys, I think I found out what the problem is. I jacked my car up today and I started to bang the cat with a wrench to hear the noise. after banging around I was able to findout that the noise is definately coming from the converter. I was able to findout where the problem is actually making the noise and its coming from the heat sheilds on the cat. Once I put my fingers on the cats heat shields the noise tottaly disappeared. Now I don't know what to do at this point. I was thinking of actually just using a circle clamp to tighten the heat shield together. I really don't know if that will work but do you think something maybe inside of the cat? I'm pretty sure its the heat shields. As far as the dounuts and springs I'm still not sure if that is causing the sucking sound. I could replace them and see if that helps any.

Do you think that if I used a clamp around the whole converter that it might cause any problems? or what would you suggest me to do to fix this problem. thanx


joe