Cat rattle - replacement ideas?

has a universal cat for as little as $37, but that may need some work to install. or (miata-engine-exhaust) for the oem mazda for $140 (free shipping if over $150 so pick up a couple of oil filters or new washer jet nozzels - the ones for the tribute are nice).

Are you sure it's not just the heatshield burning through and coming loose? You can strap it up with some wire (not plastic coated!) to keep it quiet. Heatshield rattle is normally at 3500rpm.

I banged on the cat with my fist and a rubber mallet, and also tapped around with my fingers looking for heat shield issues. Nothing seems loose and the rattle 'sounds' like it's coming from inside, not exterior. My worst rattles are around idle, especially the higher idle with the AC on.

BTW, I found it instructive to mallet not only on the side of the cat and resonator but also at each end in a direction lengthwise to the pipe. That's what made me think it could be just the cat and not the resonator.

miker

Ok, an update.

That vendor has a cat that looks just like the one on my 96, but it says for

90-93. (The other cat available is 2000-up.) Geez, can't they make one for 90-95 and one for 97-08? ;)

Anyway, it looks just like mine but I also looked at the gaskets they sell and infering from the choices, it suggests the 90-93s have a different front and rear flange (different gaskets), and the 96 gasket is different than either of those (same gasket front and rear).

Have I got this right? If so, I still haven't found a cat for a '96 then...

miker

Pick up the phone and call Tommy Grimes at Finish Line Performance. Tommy knows more about Miata parts than anyone in the known universe.

acording to miata.net they are different... this statement regarding na and nb differences... "Exhaust manifold all the way back to the muffler is completely different. Also, there are differences between the NB manual and automatic exhausts. They are not interchangable." like lanny said, call finishlineperformance.com. they don't list everything on the web site and are very helpful.

never mind. that one is not street legal for 96/97.

My local dealer quoted me $536 for a new cat.

had an oem cat for $140, but only for 90-93. I spoke with Tommy who, as described, knows his stuff. He said Mazda even issued a part number for a 94-97 cat but for some reason haven't made it available. He suggested I check...

Moss Motors

who could supply my '96 with a Jackson Racing hi-flow for $200 or a generic for $110. Reading the Miata.net reviews makes the JR sound a) loud, and b) short-lived, while the Moss generic seemed ok; so I've ordered the generic and gaskets for $137 total (shipped).

The Flyin Miata catback *shouldn't* be rusty/rattling inside if it's really stainless, so once the system is apart I'll bang on it again to confirm it was the cat before replacing any more.

Thanks for everyones help/suggestions!

miker

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good choices fromSongster Designer Superior Subject of Chatham, who was new to the showand was making sales crude

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Nylcnrth

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