I started up my truck the other day after an oil change and when I went to check for leaks I heard a tiny clunking sound. I got closer and heard something small banging around the first cat(pre-heater?), like a little piece of something broke off inside. I sit still good for a while or is it shot. I think Truckperformance.com has a hi-flow that will replace both for about $120, should I do that? Thanks,

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Nate
95 XLT 5.0/4r70w/3.31
SC SB 30X9.5's
Perfomance Cover Tonneau
Ventshades and Bugflector
Chrome Bedrails
nate95@f150guy.com

 

Are you sure it's not the heat shield vibrating? They will make noise too.
If the cat is bad go for it. You'll get a lot better sound out of it and maybe some performance.
-Hank

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"RED ROCKET"
1996 F-150 XLT, 302, 5sp., 3.73 Precision Gears, Traction-Lok, K&N FIPK, Jet Module, Flowmaster 40 series, "Duals", Toreador Red, Tow Pkg, Optional Payload Pkg, Raven Cap, Bumper Guards, Hood Ornament, Lariat Emblems, Unity Fog Lights, Jet Chip, Wilson 5000, B&M Shift ****, Hidden Hitch w/ Ford Motorsports Aluminum Cover

 

Hank,

Are those Hi-Flow convertors realy worth it. I've been pondering on one for quite some time, and really have had no one to ask. My truck is straight-piped, so I want to retain that awesome sound that takes years to get, and also want a little, if even slight performance boost if possible.

 

Speaking-for-hank: I think they are probably better. If you don't have headers, I would be concerned about backpressure. You may not have enough. Yes I think the noise would be a bit louder.

 

Pastmaster, what do you mean about backpressure? Right now I have headers as well as Flowmaser exhaust. I want to get some high-flow cats. as well, but are you saying I would then have too little back pressure? From what I understand, stock cats. are very restrictive. Sometimes, particularly in the morning, I have problems accelerating above 55 mph, like I can't even press down on the accelerator. It feels like someone put a brick underneath the gas pedal. But once I've been on the freeway for about 10 minutes, things ease up and I can get up to my desired speed with no problems, less the fact that I'm almost driving on 7 cylinders. But this accleration problem as been going on long before my ticking/lifter noise/problem. Do you think it could have anything do do with my cats. like maybe their clogged or something? Someone told me this could be a possibility.

 

You can have too little backpressure. which will in time suck a valve. You'll be fine if you have headers and at least a muffler. The motor needs to have some backpressure, and stock has too much pressure. I don't know how california is, but I would ditch the factory setup if I was you. I wouldn't doubt the cat is blocked. They don't last that much in time.