That used to be a problem and the Grand Marquis. The fix was to secure a couple of large stainless hose clamps around the cat shell. It'* been on my Marquis for 2 years now and no problems.

Take a peek and see if that would fix it. I would doubt that the cats themselves are toast at this age.

Thanks Guys. I don't want the replacemet to start the PCM throwing codes. So the install on the converter requires welding eh? That'* a deal breaker for me doing the work at home.

about when do cat converters go bad? I have jsut about 100k miles on the bonnie stock cat converter. Ive been thinking about the Goerlich or whatever its called. I have an 02 SLE, is the pipe a 3"? And how much do the exhaust shops usually charge to replace the stock cat with the Goerlich?

hey sawgunner so did the 2.5" not fit? Were u supposed to get the 3"?

the 3" would have fit perfectly. the stock down pipe has a smaller pipe inside it that was just under 3"O.D. and the new 2.5" cat i got was 2.5" I.D. so i had to custom make an adapter fot it all to go together. here is the pic

thanks! so u think i should roll with the 3" then?

do u get better performance with this one? And/or better sound?

the sound is a little throatier and it feels like the car can breath better

definatley get the 3" one here is the link for it http://performance-curve.com/3goerli...dii608227.aspx

do u think i should just change mine even thought it isnt bad yet and has almost 100k miles. Im at like 99700 miles. Typically when do cat converters go bad?