Odd exhaust noises

[Pro5ordie]

Hello all,

I am pretty new to posting here, and I was hoping that someone could help me a bit. I recently installed a new axle back exhaust(the Mazdaspeed) and it works great. No issues with that unit, and the install went relatively smoothly. However, since I did the install, I have been hearing what could be described a flutter or a tick coming from the catalytic converter. It is not constant and only seems to resonate at certain RPMS(like when it sits at 3k on the interstate, unfortunately). A buddy of mine thinks that when it was getting moved around to do the Mazdaspeed install, a piece of the heat shield on the inside of the Cat came free and is moving around inside of it.

I have checked for exhaust leaks, and there are none. This sound is coming from INSIDE the catalytic converter. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[visiongt9506]

im having same problem and i foun the my cat has broken apart from the pipe inside... your ganna need a new cat

 

[008]

Have you raised the car and hit the area around the cat to try and reproduce the sound? Use a rubber mallet or block of wood to hit it in specific areas to find the sound. If you're positive it's inside the cat then it's a goner, especially when that piece gets sideways and blocks the exhaust flow.

 

[blam2526]

Reasons for this would be failing catalyconverter if its not a sound from the engine from when combustion is complete. Cats are a honeycomb insert made of ceramic they usaly break dud to age, or water/fuel in the exhaust ( before cat). Post a video for more inquire.

 

[Pro5ordie]

Thanks for the help. I'm going to jack it up soon and bang around to see if it is something else, but I got under and listened when i first noticed it and it definitely seemed to be coming from the cat. Is it worth it to get a hi-flow cat? Are there any bolt on options that don't require me bringing it to a muffler shop to have welded on?

 

[008]

A high flow cat is likely not worth it for a stock P5. Bolt-on cats are normally factory replacements and cost a fortune; it's usually more cost-effective to have a muffler shop do a universal one.

 

[Pro5ordie]

Thanks a bunch for the advice. Any suggestions on a replacement? I can only seem to find the magnaflow that is universal, which isn't too expensive (arond 95), but there has to be a cheaper option.

 

[915_P5]

I used the autozone app on my phone and it showed me tones of stock replacement parts even the exhaust parts. I notice the mid pipe was around $100 probably even cheaper then a muffler shop.

 

[Pro5ordie]

So I got under my car to do a final check before ordering a new cat...for the first time, I had a friend with me so I could listen underneath the car. The sound is not coming from the cat itself but from the area around the fitting from the short pipe coming off the exhaust manifold to the pipe going into the cat(the one that has the springs)...any other ideas?

 

[LittleKitty]

So I got under my car to do a final check before ordering a new cat...for the first time, I had a friend with me so I could listen underneath the car. The sound is not coming from the cat itself but from the area around the fitting from the short pipe coming off the exhaust manifold to the pipe going into the cat(the one that has the springs)...any other ideas?

So, did you every get this resolved? I think my cat is starting to have a metallic rattle sound if I hit a bump and most times during normal driving.(boom01)

 

[Pro5ordie]

I took the entire exhaust system starting just after the exhaust manifold apart, replaced all gaskets, and put it back together. That fixed my issue.