People, stop guessing IF you need a new catalytic converter.
Have someone drill a test hole IN FRONT of the cat, measure the emissions, and compare them to the tailpipe emissions.
If they are the same, or very close, the cat is done.
Just went through this last week with my truck.
Cat was 9 years old and 300 k miles on it.
It was an aftermarket unit, and the replacement is one as well.
Passed e-test with flying colors.