Exhaust Blow-out Please help!

[white98]

I've experienced a rattling sound from the inside of my cat for a few months, and was going to get the cat replaced on Wednesday. Well, when I began driving home today my car got really loud all of a sudden---way too loud for comfort. I got out and inspected the exhaust, but couldn't really see any problems although it is hard to see up under the f-bodies. While I continued driving it continued to be very loud and I also heard some weird noises from the cat when sitting idle. You guys have any idea what the problem is, or has anyone experienced a similar problem? Please let me know, Justin

[Cruzin]

Looks like it is time for a new cat. The ceramic block inside gets cloged over time and breaks up. That is the noise you hear.