the symptoms point to a plugged cat. if the exhaust has nowhere to go it cannot leave the combustion chamber. as the cat plugs more, less exhaust leaves, which leaves no room for a/f mixture to enter. this means less performance all around and can degrade to the point where the motor will not run.

 

Im going to replace the cat because I know you guys know what you are talking about. yesterday I drove it to see if I could be more specific about it. the car only has low-no power higher under load. In first gear its hard to make it do it unless i floor it and in all other gears it gets easier to do.

 

I replaced the cat. But I dont think it will do any good because the old one was hallow! I don't think it has ever been taken out so I don't know what happened to it. But what else would cause my problem?

 

I think I know the problem. A blown head gasket leaking coolant into the cylinders on the passenger side. I know this because the bracket and ac compression have coolant dripping off them. But I haven't spotted the source of the leak yet. I am really sad this happened because the engine only has 45,000 miles on it, and 3,000 on every gasket other than the head gaskets. But could there be any other things it could be leaking from in that area?

 

1) Somebody before you opened up your exhaust and emptied out the contents of the cat, or
2) The contents of the cat broke up into chunks, and blew into and clogged your muffler.

 

did you run the car with the cat unhooked to see if open exhaust helped it to run better.

sounds like the plastic elbow has failed. much easier than a head gasket. look here
https://camaroforums.com/forum/v6-te...ne-3-8l-49527/

 

I know it's not the elbows, that would not effect the engine like this. Also the cat back is new so the exhaust is not clogged. Plus I think it's the gasket or at least water in the cylinders because lots of water comes out of the exhaust

 

compresson test would confirm head gasket. the elbow is common place for coolant to be coming from if its leaking down the bracket.

 

well in the next couple days i will be taking parts off the front of the engine to find the leak. I wish i is the elbow but i dont know how that could be getting water in to the passenger side cylinders.

 

it may be that you have both, a blown head gasket and failing elbow.