[shorod]

When you turn the key to Run, do you get all the appropriate instrumentation lights to come on (bulb test)? Does the Check Engine Light come on then? If so, it seems odd that you would not get a check engine light with a plugged catalytic converter. But, what you describe does seem to point to a bad cat.

What you'll want to do before replacing the converter with either an OEM or a universal is determine why it failed. Rarely do the converters fail due to age. Typically you will have an extended rich condition that will accelerate the converter destruction due to overheating the converter trying to convert all the unburned fuel to water vapor.

I can't really comment on if a universal will be a suitable alternative in this application.

-Rod