ALEV8

Old thread same issue, and what about exhaust leaks post cats causing some backpressure loss perhaps........I'm also experiencing a bank 2 insufficient effect. It's intermittent. My post 02 cats are brand new. I'd love to just replace the xpipe and cats with Fabspeed, my wallet is disagreeing.

Buddhamonk

first gen AWE cats used magnaflow cat converters. Those eventually fail earlier than the HJS catalytic converters in the second gen AWE cats

Get defoulers or new cats (could just have a shop replace the cat, would probably cost less than $500 depending on what cat you put on)

John@Fabspeed

Well hey it's tax return season, if you find your wallet agrees temporarily give me a shout i'll take care of you

steveP911

Sorry to have been out of touch - had some family issues. I really appreciate all of your responses to help me out.

But here's what I think I'm going to do.

1 - Going to a DE tech session Saturday morning; if I can get a look into the cats or some more up-close observation, that may help me decide.
2 - Given that I think the cats have passed their prime (10+ years old), I am inclined to get a new set, and I want to stick with AWE to keep the exhaust correctly matched. I'm kind of following Macster's advice/comments. Buddhamonk seemed to indicate the same thing.
3 - I will probably have to get a new set of O2 sensors but I'll buy the Bosch versions and save myself >50%.
4 - I don't want to spend too much time trying this thing or that. I want to resolve it and get back to "driving it like I own it".

Again, thanks very much for all your thoughtful feedback. This is a great forum, and I couldn't own this car or enjoy it as much without RL!

ALEV8

Same exact CEL here running Fabspeed Maxflo S in my .1.

ALEV8

I ordered a set of those Summit cats and will fab an x pipe or graft these in on an existing x pipe. Either way I have new cats!

steveP911

I finally bought a new set of replacement CAT's from AWE today. Supposed to be here next week. My left bank CAT rattles when you tap it with a rubber mallet, indicating the element is loose/compromised. Right bank is okay. So I am not going to try O2 spacers or any other hopeful solution - going to take the plunge (almost $2K) and get brand new AWE CATs to match the rest of the exhaust system. When I talked to Dane and John at AWE (both very nice and helpful) they said that the design/manufacture has improved greatly since mine were installed (approx ten years ago), so I'm looking forward to reliable flow and no CEL's.

steveP911

I did have these CATs replaced and I have had zero issues. Hard to tell if any loss in performance due to a degraded CAT was eliminated, but I'm happy. Just glad to have my exhaust system completely intact.