Sparks/embers coming from my exhaust?? Help please!

[lukenag]

**Please read before watching the video, Thanks for the help!

So here is the rundown on what you need to know. On my 96 eclipse GS (420a motor) I just replaced the head gasket, water pump, timing components, and had the head planed, hot tanked, checked for cracks, and the valves and seats reground, and after putting everything back together the car started up, it starts a little rough like it doesn't want to run, but when you give it some gas and let it come back down to idle it idles good at 900 rpm's. It does drive good too. Also when I 'rev' it a bit on its way back to idle sparks or embers come from the tailpipe. When I took the car for the first test drive it smelled like a camp fire. My exhaust is stock up to the megan muffler on the end and my brother seems to think the sparks/embers could be the inside of the cat falling apart and burning up on its way out. I haven't been by the car since I found these issues, but i will be doing some more investigating when I get a chance to look at the car again on monday 10/15/12. I did try to do my own research on this, but I didn't come across to much helpful information.

- here is a link to a video of the sparks coming from my exhaust - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkhnFcWgsS8

P.S. - my car was rear ended as you will see in the video, that's my next project once its running right.

[goodhart]

I would say its either catalyst or muffler packing. Could be causing packpressure issues on startup.

[Goat Blower]

Yeah, looks like a cat converter, probably causing it to run as rich as it is as well.

[lukenag]

hey, thanks for all the help guys, ill look into it a bit more and let you know what I find out.