Power Reduction and SES light

[Darkshadow188]

I'm new here and am learning a lot about my 02' camaro. I have an issue that no mechanic in the area can give me an answer that does not beat arround the bush. I've been told my cat is broken on the inside. I'll go into the symptoms first. When my car was new it was awesome. 60mph in second gear at 5krpm, 95mph in 3rd, 115mph in 4th, and power cut out in 5ht. Now My SES light is on with p0420 catalyst below threshold(bank 1 i think). My car will not buld power like it was. In second gear Im lucky to hit 45mph @ 4kRpm. In 3rd, the car wont break 4500Rpm,in 4th can't make it past 3700rmp and 83mph, and in 5th...it wont put out power unless it's WOT. I've been told my cat is back feeding and causing the lack of performance. I've been told I have a weak piston. I've taken care of the car, granted I beat on it, but I treat it well after a 5min interval of thrasting. At 4100rmp the car sounds like knock sensor is kicking in or something familliar to a coughing. Could the cat really be causing this severe loss in performance?

[redbird8628]

Most likley a bad cat.( search "P0420" next time, theres at least 20 posts on this) i'd go for a new cat, o and is your car under warranty? (I see its an '02) IF it is, u may be in for a free cat

[BLLDOGG]

yes a cat can do all that and i would but my internet money on it :D

if you dont have more than 80K miles, go to your dealership and have it checked and replaced for free because its covered under federal emission laws until 80K

[ September 18, 2005, 12:28 AM: Message edited by: BLLDOGG ]

[v6mOtOrhEAdftOp]

that sounds like the correct prblem, if not, you may have a hole in one of your pipes, but then the power loss would be far less noticable in gears 1-3... I say if it's not covered under warranty, go take it and get a performance exhaust, such as a loudmouth, like i did:)

[Darkshadow188]

Would the warranty for the cat still be applicable even though I put a flowmaster muffler on the back. I didn't modify any of the pipe at all?

[Darkshadow188]

I read a lot of the posts on P0420 but it didn't seem like anyone was having the same problems. Kept saying was below threshold @ like 1147. Is my car in some sort of "open loop" safe mode at the moment?

[redbird8628]

it should be under warranty, a as long as nothing else is modified

[Darkshadow188]

I got the cat replaced under warranty. I have spent the last few days getting it broken in. Makes the exhaust sound like a giant weed eater, but I'll deal with it. Thanks for the help and reassurance.

[Fred]

How many years is the warranty on the cat good for?

[Darkshadow188]

I think it's 5 years or 80,000 miles which ever comes first

[Darkshadow188]

correction, 8 years or 80k