94 Metro Starts And Runs Rough At Startup

[udel]

I have a 94 Metro. Its a good running car. I've had a starting issue that is getting progressively worse. When I start the car cold, or after driving and sitting for maybe upwards of 15 minutes, it will struggle getting started, and when it does, it idles really really rough for about 5 - 10 seconds, then it clears up and runs great. It doesnt have any problems cranking. When it starts, I can give it some gas and it seems to clear up pretty quickly, and if I dont hit the gas it takes upwards of 10 seconds to clear up. I'm hoping some of you that have had experience with this issue can point me in the right direction so I don't have to keep buying parts and replacing them in hopes I've lucked out and found the problem. Or, if someone can kind of give me a priority list of what I should continue trying. I've tried to read through previous subjects on here, and it seems there are many other things that it could be. Here's a list of things I've already done
1) I took DoctorBills advice and checked compression. 180psi across all cylinders, so this is great and is probably why I want to solve this issue
2) I have a brand new radiator in the car, flushed, and new antifreeze.
3) I completely cleaned the EGR valve and ports. I do this routinely anyway.
4) I replaced plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor.
I haven't changed the fuel filter or done any fuel or vacuum pressure checks. Like I said, it runs great after that initial startup, so I figure it's getting good fuel. But I'm no mechanic by any stretch.
Please help me with ideas on how to keep this little gem running.
Thanks, John

[Johnny Mullet]

A clogged cat can do that too. Drop the pipe, run naked, see if it's ok

[udel]

Thanks. I'll give that a try. Speaking of cat, outside of meeting emissions standards, do you really even need a cat on a 94 Metro, or would it have an adverse affect on how the car ran without it?

[Woodie83]

Outside of meeting emissions standards, no car needs a cat. A good cat is not going to effect the way the car runs one way or the other. Universal cats start around $80, direct fit bolt on around $150. Fine for running without one is something like $24,000.