Funny you mention that...after I swap the PCM tomorrow (and if things aren't any better), I was going to unbolt the cat convertor downpipe from the exhaust manifold and see how she does.

Not sure what kind of arc I'm getting. I do have new plugs and wires installed on the car. I've also swapped the ICM and coils from the 99.

I watched it with a timing light, too, and they're all firing.

I'll try what you suggested.

Well darnit, why can't you make this an easy to solve problem??

Anyhew, once you try the open exhaust, we'll see where we can go from there...

I agree....

The plugs and wires and I used are AC Delcos.... Tried to keep everything bone stock.

Good for you

Anyhew, at this point, I'd lean towards some sort of exaust restriction... you've got your compression, ignition, and fuel...

Would the catalytic convertor always rattle when it'* bad? Currently, the one on the car doesn't rattle. :?

yeah, I've seen a few that didn't rattle, but were bad... actually, one of my best friends had that very problem, now that you mention it. Don't know why I didn't think of it before... but he ended up hollowing out his cat (I know, I know. I'd never do it either) and it ran great.

There'* no hissing. I have a feeling if there was hissing that it would be a cough, hiss, cough, hiss, cough, hiss!

You bring another very good point... The car runs hot. No doubt about it. It will easily run at 225 or so. I does have a 180 stat in it. It'* not low on coolant or have a weak pump either...they've both been recently changed. The fans kick on very quickly after the car'* started, too.

Also when idling the exhaust system shakes like made. Just vibrates back and forth...and it'* a good, vigorous vibration!!

If I pulled the O2 sensor do you think it would give clues if I have a restricted exhaust?

It might, but in my experience with the h'*, it would be less of a pain to disconnect the downpipe... my O2 was pretty stinkin stuck...