Mitsubishi Repair: gen 2 eclipse (another question), catalytic converters, cam sensor

Question
i think i found one of my problems, (if u remember i asked a question the other day) but i noticed the heat from the exhaust was burning stuff on my floorpan under the carpet, i looked under the car and the cat was bright red, so im guesing its clogged. i unbolted it and now the car starts up and runs a little bit easier. i had said before that i replaced all the sensors on the intake as well as the crank and cam sensor, HOWEVER i did not replace the map sensor. here is what it is doing now: every now and then it back fires through the intake, idles up slightly at random times, and i can manage to keep it running but when i go to rev it, it seems to bog down, without any increase in rpms, is this a possible symptom of the map sensor? if i can just get the car drivable i can get to an advance auto and have them run the computer, but right now thats not within reason other than towing it. also is the map sensor something that may go out from sitting?

Answer
Jonathan: I am sorry, though I love to answer questions for people. I often than not blow it because it is often hard to answer these questions. I can only make a guess from what the person writes me, to what my repair manual says or what friends reading over my shoulder throws out. But if something is burning your floor of your car and under it is red hot. Then your catalytic converter could have had a blow out, is plugging the exhaust up with the mess that is coming out of it. I mean those catalytic converters are full of well heck I don't know what they are full of, but sometimes when they start to break apart with age; that mess will or can plug up things. So the exhaust is not able to remove things as it should. If nothing else there is a sensor in the exhaust called an oxygne sensor but wait a minute lets not get so hang up on these darn sensors. Why not have the catalytic converter tested? Don't let someone tell you that you don't need one because there is a large fine if you are caught without it. I told you before you can have your car coded, it would tell you if you needed a sensor or more or not. And sure the heck would save you some money in just changing ones you think might be bad. Because they all might be fine. I mean some of these sensors are pretty costly. With that said if the catalytic converter is your problem, you get it fixed then the computer will get your car running good too. It uses the read outs from that area too, and right now that area is running much to hot for its blood. Hey Johnathan have a good week-end! Sounds like all my snow shall melt now that will be good! Hope this helps and good luck! Linda