So I now have the feeling of a miss and a check engine light on. I head up to autzone for the free scan and it reads like it feels, misfire on number 1 and a bad CAT. Looks like the cat is so far gone its making the engine misfire.... So I run up to the exhaust shop to have them look at it and was keeping my fingures crossed for news of it being the rear CAT, but no dice. Its the front CAT and the direct fit into the manifold. I was not willing to pay the 500 for just the part from the shop thinking I have a welder and can weld fairly well. After looking under the truck I see that its a bolt in application. What are my options for this? Can I hollow it out, are their better aftermarket parts or at least cheaper than from kia of a shop? At this point all I know is I can get one for about 250 online but I am looking for all good options, any ideas would be very welcome. Thanks.

I tried cleaning out the pre-cat (1st one) and noticed that the bottom end torque was gone in my 2000. When you started from a dead stop, it was like someone had their hand over the intake. When I put the good one on, it went back to normal.
Keep us informed on what you end up doing.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

just keep checking on aftermarket ones, just make sure it's for your year, and or the vin. even check out ebay.

John

You can hollow it out, I did it on mine a while ago, just be aware that your 2nd one will also plug up eventually and you'll have to do the same thing. You're going to want to put an extension on where the O2 sensor screws in to get the sensor out of the exhaust stream, otherwise you will get a check engine code.

Well I hollowed it out and noticed a great difference on the ride and get up and go. How did you do the extension for the O2? I think I will just order another pre cat and fit it on but I would much rather not if I can get the O2 out of the way.

All it is is a sparkplug non-fouler or anti-fouler. Just happens to be the right size to screw an O2 sensor into and gets the sensor out of the exhaust stream.

Will the ECU still be able to use the O2 sensor to operate in the closed loop mode...otherwise it might cost a few mpg....or will it ?

Near as I can tell it didn't really affect my mileage, of course with a blocked converter the mileage wasn't too good in the first place.

Ok, I got the anti-fouler and put in on and I am still getting the CEL. Did you use both of them that came in the pack or just the one to get rid of the CEL? Also did the bat cat foul your spark plugs? I also noticed that goin gup hill is much harder without the cat, have you noticed anything like that?

Without the backpressure of the cat, you loose lower rpm torque, which is what you're feeling.
It was designed to have that backpressure. I really noticed it too and when I put the new cat on it was like a different engine.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />