I wanted to provide some feedback and hopefully help for future Fiero owners. I recently had issues with my catalytic converter on a 1987 Fiero GT. Symptoms were low power and higher than normal operating temperatures. I purchased and installed a Rodney Dickman Cat and all problems now gone with a significant increase in power and a great exhaust note. It is runny easily the best it has ever ran. Installation was easy peezy. The old cat was completely kaput with the ceramic monolith completely broken up into smaller pieces and dust and preventing escape of the exhaust gases.
I wish I'd taken a picture like that, looking through my old cat. Someone had gutted it! Specifically, they torched it open, gutted it and re-welded the patch back on. The work was invisible from looking up while the car was on a lift. Looking through the cat was like looking through an empty box.
I know a number of guys who have gutted the cat using a pipe as Patrick indicated . You can also use a jack handle. You just jam it in the end chip away and knock out the clogged screens. The engine runs so much better and cooler with the cat modification (or it removed) but I must state this mod is for off road use. Some guys just use a straight exhaust pipe section for off road use..
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Old cat problems are often not the cat causing problems. It a side effect of engine problems. Running rich or lean, burning oil or coolant, can make the cat die and new cat too if those issues are not fixed.
Example: Running rich or burning oil can make the cat overheat trying to covert too much fuel/oil and break the monolith.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
When my cat died, the overheating caused by running rich caused the inside to melt and congeal into a big block that basically blocked the exhaust. The car would drive for about a mile before the back pressure caused it stop. No emissions around here for older cars so i 'could' replace with a straight pipe if I wanted but I've been behind cars without working cats and it's like being transported back to the 60's, choking to death on the exhaust fumes of the guy in front so I figured I do the planet a favor and have a cat!
------------------ Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!
