When I accelerate over 2000 rpm my exhaust starts growling and not in a good way it sounds raggedy. I put the car in park and pressed on the gas and it sounds like there'* something loose inside of my exhaust system, like a ball thats causes a pinging noise. i think its my converter, but I'm not sure. Could anyone help? Does an damaged exhaust system give you a poor fuel mileage?

It defintely can .

How many miles are on the car?

Give the cat a kick and see if it rattles. If it does, there'* your problem. If not, check the heatshield in the back above the muffler, and see if that has come loose.

ok Im going to check it When I get a chance. thanks

I didn't check the cat yet, but the noise and bad exhaust sound stopped. could my air/fuel ratio have this type of effect on the exhaust?

A loose piece in your exhaust system can get lodged and stop making noise. It can also lodge in a place where it restricts the exhaust.

I found out the problem, I just cleaned my air filter and the car is running more smoothly and quietly.

air filters dont make pinging noises...

did you ever kick the cat?

I missed this thread when you originally posted it.

I had a similar issue on my old 93 SE. It ended up being the heat sheild over the muffler. Two of the srews were missing...so I screwed it back up and the noise never resurfaced.

I doubt you fixed this sound by replacing the air filter. :? It probably coincedentaly hasn't reoccured.

Agreed Vital. If the sound was exhaust and ...let'* say for example it was some loose honeycombs in the catalytic converter..they could have wedged somehow and now the noise is gone.

It'll be back if that'* the case.