I just recently found out that my annoying loud exhaust is from the front of the cat just simply separating itself from the catalytic converter..lol..
It almost sounds as though i have open headers! It seems to have gotten worse over the last few weeks, since everything is all welded, i didnt really think it would get worse...but it has.
since my exhaust has started acting up, Ive noticed the car acting a lot like it did when the old Opti went out...where it almost has siezures (sp?) during casual acceleration and WOT. It is an incredible amount of lost power. Its like..if you are casually accelerating it will start to sputter around 2k rpms or so....and during all gears. Even WOT will act up somewhat. It also sounds and runs like crap. Unless im on the highway with the cruise control on at the right speed, I cant really stand it.
i had a bad opti, ichanged it out about 2 months ago..then my WaterPump went out on me, and I dont think any of that dripped into the Opti, but its a possibility right? If so, does it sound like my Opti is bad..AGAIN????
Or...since i had my engine rebuilt, the guy said i may want to replace my O2 sensors..which inever did. Is it possible between the large exhaust leak (at the open/broken catalytic converter) and bad O2 sensors, my car is acting up like this? Any help would be appreciated as I dont think ive had much luck with my car since ive had it...damn thing always requires hundreds here and hundreds there. What do you guys think?
Im already pretty sure i have to get a new Cat since mine literally just separated itself at the neck (where the exhaust fromt he ypipe meets the cat) unless its possible to have someone weld that? But since ive been driving it so long with the cat broken, ive also notice black crap all underneath the car on the passenger side where the exhaust leak is.
sorry this is so long, im at work and when i get home tomorrow i will start looking for some good deals on cats and stuff. if anyone knows what this might be or where i may be able to find a good cat/cheap o2 sensors, let me know, thanks alot guys, and as always i know i can count on the z28 forum for help! Derek

 

IMO you get the major leak fixed first then go from there to see if you have other problems. Open exhaust can do all kinds of funky crap like effect O2 presentation to the exhaust flow and whatnot. Don't get yourself worried too bad until you get the exhaust fixed.