My car is ****

[m3f_Klint_c491bc5f79]

Hi,



The last week or so, my engine looses power and has a woooshing noise, as if something high pressure is releasing gasses, then the engine stops making power and starts to loose revs. I thought at first it was related to the radiator cap re-call that was issued for the E36s...Along with this i've noticed a destinctive smell of either the clutch or the brakes smelling when getting out of the car...The clutch isn't slipping under it's own accord and brakes are a dime so it might be related to the "wooshing" noise when the motor is under heavy use. i.e Third gear climbing up a hill.



I've been told the CAT (how many are those?) is blocked by some ***** friends...so, I'll like it to be confirmed over here as the cause.



Does anyone have a picture of the undercarriage showing the full exhaust system and the CATs?



Also, what aftermarket options do I have? Can I have a straight through exhaust without affecting performance?



Cheers!

[m3f_Klint_c491bc5f79]

Yes? No? Anyone? Bueller?

[m3f_eduardo go_61bf44b0e1]

You can install a straight through exhaust. See if you can find a friend with an M3 like yours and change the exhaust just to make sure. Its not a heavy job. If your cats are broken by the inside, they can cause an obstruction to the gases and the engine will loose power...but make sure that its the exhaust, your car has two cats...and they are $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

[m3f_Klint_c491bc5f79]

Thanks eduardo!



Yeah, I heard the CATs cost a mint or two...something to do with the platinum inside them that eases the emissions when they react.

[m3f_bulla]

you can buy a decat from supersprint i have one on my m3 and it is the tits.

i gained about 10bhp from removing my cats its well worth doing even if thats not the problem.

[m3f_Klint_c491bc5f79]

Thanks for the info. gents.



Since the car was in an accident yesterday the CATs will have to be prosponed for the meantime.

[m3f_E36Pilot]

Note, check the smog regulations before you change out your CATS. My stock cats went bad and I replaced them with with an aftermarket, cheaper ($250) unit. After a year of use my car failed smog in California. I had to put on another CAT to pass. The smog guy said the engine eats through the aftermarket CATS in a hurry, and would probably need a new one to pass every year or so. Just my .02... you may want to shell out for the stock unit despite isn't heafty price.