Last week I discovered that after one month of use, my catalytic converter had gotten too hot and the insides had broken apart. I replaced the converter on Friday and I'm thinking that there still may be a problem. The guy at the local muffler shop insists that my car is running too rich. I had the timing checked last week and it is fine. I contacted Jet-Hot about the amount of heat that I would be pushing through the cat and they said it was not enough extra heat that it would burn the catalytic converter. The only other test that I can think of that I have not tried would be to take it back to the dyno and have the guy put the O2 sensor on the exhaust and see if there is really a problem. I guess that I'm kinda stuck as to which direction to proceed. Anybody have any suggesstions? Here is a picture of the converter. Does it look like it has been unusually hot? Thanks for the help!!

 

Did you notice any gains from having an after-market performance catalyctic converter by chance? Did the sound of the exhaust change dramatically? Thanks man.

MIKE

 

I installed JDM 4-1 and catalytic converter at the same time. I did notice gains with that combination.

 

ITR's have a brick style catalytic converter and when properly running your catalytic converter should apear to have two lightly colored rectangles on the cover. This is due to the bricks in the converter getting hot and discoloring the cover of the catalytic converter(this is normal). Your converter is completely discolored meaning it is getting extremely hot. What happens is unburn't fuel travels to the converter then gets stopped by the bricks in the converter, then the fuel burns on the bricks. This causes the converter to become extremely hot and completely discolored and you also end up with a converter that has either broken bricks or the bricks completely burn and you have a hollow cat.

good luck with the diagnosis.

 

Wow... You really toasted that thing, Chad! Looks like it's time to order up the V-AFC to lean your beast out some. Wish we could have gotten EGT and a/f readings when you were on the dyno last...

 

Would your primary 02 be bad?


Jason

 

If my primary O2 is bad, would it throw a check engine light?

 

V-AFC V-AFC V-AFC V-AFC...

Did I mention I would suggest a V-AFC?

Seriously Chad, it looks like it's time to lean your baby out a little. You know who to ask, right?

 

Is this anything like TODA TODA TODA TODA, Jason?


Boba- who got his VAFC yesterday and is very happy.

 

But it should not be running this rich, Correct?? I'm beginning to wonder if it may be something with one of the O2 sensors. V-AFC was my next mod for the car but, I was not planning on installing one this quick.

 

Chad-

Although I don't believe it should run rich enough to burn the brick, get some other opinions. Shoot Jack (B18CXr) an IM and see what he has to say. As everyone knows he's a tuning whiz and should be able to give you some tips

 

I did shoot him an email last week and have not heard back from him. I figured that I would ask Jack before I posted and since I did not hear back from him I went ahead and posted.

 

He gets a bunch of e-mail, and I know he's been busy with work. I'd suggest shooting him an IM and see what happens...

 

ITR 01-0840,

Just curious, is warrantee going to cover your cat. I'm using the same cat with my Spoon header (installed 2 weeks ago). I'm using the stock ECU for now (yes V-AFC is next) and have noticed that my cat is turning a nice bronze colour like yours.

Regards,

 

Yay for test pipes!
Yay for not being a California resident!
Yay for sliced bread!
Boo to the COlorado Avalanche

 

Kittens in the exhaust - BAD!
Test Pipes - Good!