What are signs that one is clogged/bad?

extreme loss of power, and/or if you kick it and it rattles

okay, well at 27mph in first gear, my car acts EXACTLY like someone let off the gas. tranny holds first like it should, but it sounds and feels just like i let off the gas. air filter is good, fuel filter is new, fuel pump is good.

if you want a crap load of details, click here
http://tempotopaz.com/main/index.php...asc&highlight=

Hey!!! My winter beater is a Topaz (barf) and I had the same problem this spring, The cat gets hot and the engine dies, let it cool off and your good for another 20 miles.
WHen the cat is hot the engine is very hard to turn over (like a dead battery), while on the side of the road letting it cool down a guy in a Tempo pulls up and describes the problem to me and the fix (cool).
To fix it (remember its a winter beater) I took an axe and opened up the side of the cat, no problems since (just dont sit and idle in it I say) :P

I had a Tempo too. LOL.

Not saying who...but I know someone that ripped the cat out of there'* too! LOL.

Ran a helluva lot better after that. Had the EXACT same issue as you and PDad.

well the cat converter is not at fault <it may be, but not on this issue>. the guy who installed my engine had to put an electric fuel pump in, because the new one wasnt set up for the mechanical pump. he ran the juice wire, off of the juice wire to the coil. so the 12v connection on the coil was also feeding the fuel pump. rewired a bit, and it is running the best it ever has since the new engine went in. im so thrilled now i feel like i can take on a bonneville! yes i will lose badly, but thats not the point!

Glad you found the problem. Overheating is another symptom. And I can proudly say I've never even DRIVEN a topaz.

Consider yourself lucky

me neither!

the car doesnt overheat beyond what the fan can take car of.although, it doesrun at about 200 degrees on the road. :?