Random Cat rattle

[3TT3V]

My Random Technology Catalytic Converters started to internally rattle. Is this common? What is the problem with them ? Suggestions? Thanks

 

[C4Tom]

My Random Technology Catalytic Converters started to internally rattle. Is this common? What is the problem with them ? Suggestions? Thanks

How old are they? The internals are a material (ceramic?) that can crack. If that happens and the pieces shift, it can cut off flow, causing running problems and reliability issues. I would get it to a good muffler shop to have them check it and get their opinion. I'm sure they would know by the sound what exactly it is.

 

[3TT3V]

Cats are 2 1/2 years old with 7000 miles on them. Does not seem to be any running / reliability deficiencies.

 

[C4Tom]

Hmmm... well, if the noise is truly coming from the cats, perhaps the innards have just came loose. Raise the car and make sure it IS the cats making the noise. Maybe the heat shield is rattling.

 

[3TT3V]

I have raised it and checked: all bolts on exhaust system are tight, no rattles from heat shielding. I took a 3' length of hose to my ear and listened at different areas and it is definately coming from the Cats. Got on it hard yesterday in first gear, took it home, and that's when I first heard it in the garage at idle. I guess there is no repair for these things ,,,,just replacement...right?

 

[C4Tom]

Correct. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Perhaps others can suggest good replacement. I've never bought cats and have no idea on quality or price.

 

[3TT3V]

Took it to a shop and , yes, one of the catalytic converters is internally cracked. Therefore I have to replace both of them.....here's the kicker: This is not a Corvette. (bummer) It is a 2002 S10 Xtreme with a Corvette LT 4 engine. The catalytic converters are some aftermarket High Flow . So my question is: What aftermarket brand of High Flow Catalytic converter does anyone here recommend? Thankyou

 

[Moonunit 451]

RT is good. Were those the bullet cats, metal matrix? That is what I use.

 

[3TT3V]

I do not know what is installed right now....except they are oval, 2 1/2" in/out, and each about 14" long. Invoice reads Ultra High Flow Catalytic Converters.
Random Tech......uh,,,prices around $500+ ea ??? YIKES. Less expensive please.
Xtreme Flow ?

 

[jsinga]

I didn't quite understand about the car. From what I get it isn't a stock setup right? The reason I say emission equipment, cats have a very long warranty like 8 years or 80,000miles. So if it's a factory install look into getting them replaced under warranty.
If you have loose bricks in a cat eventually they will break up and plug someting. You can drive it all you want, you'll know it when it plugs up! When all of a sudden it just won't go like it's out of gas open the hood and look at the exhaust pipes, hold it at about 2000rpm for about 30 seconds and they will glow cherry red. Sure sign of a plugged system.

JS

 

[ZumZum]

Not sure what brands they are, but Jeg's or Summit have hi-flow cats for about $100 each.

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

You have a PM.....

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Random Tech......uh,,,prices around $500+ ea ??? YIKES. Less expensive please.

You should be able to pick up a pair of RTs for less than $250 ea. I only paid $210 ea for RT 3¨ cats last year.
If there is no physical damage to the case Random might replace them in warranty... It is worth an email tech@randomtechnology.com
Unlike Hooker they have great customer service.

 

[3TT3V]

JSINGA: The vehicle is a 2002 S10 Xtreme with a 1996 Corvette LT 4 engine , headers, 2 Random Technology Large Body Universal ceramic catalytic converters, Spin Tech muffler. The vehicle came stock with a v6, single exhaust. The Conversion-Swap was done 2 1/2 years ago from v6 to v8.....I did not do it.
I called Random Technology today. They identified the cats that I have as the "Large Body Universal". They were surprised that one of mine was rattling.....asked if I had hit a curb or if it was running inefficiently/both = NO. They recommended the Round Universal / metal # 702500. It's flow = 483 cfm while the old Large-Body flowed 405. I ordered 2 @ $190 ea including shipping.
Realizing I only have an S10 Xtreme and not a Corvette;I want to thank all of you here who have helped. This is a great forum with a lot of knowledge from it's members. In the past I have owned a '58, '62, and '65 Corvettes and maybe one day I can once again own one.....but for right now; I only have part of one......the LT 4 engine.......and Boy is it fun in that little truck !!

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

I just sent my SBC powered S10 to a new home back in the USA. The Spanish police refused to let me keep it on the hi-way without importing it and the vehicle registration people refused to import a modified US pickup.:cry
It was this truck that put me off of Hooker headers – the fit is crap. Whose headers do you have on your S10 and how do they fit?

Please post some pics of your conversion.

 

[3TT3V]

My ceramic coated headers are Lee's High Tech Trucks...he went out of business.... I think my truck was one of the last ones he done. The headers fit really nice, heavy mounting flanges, long tubes. I tried to upload some pictures here but when I Previewed ; I didn't see any (?)

 

[3TT3V]

attempt at attachment of pics: LT 4 engine install and my One-off Billet Spikes