r129 V8 slowly losing power

[lostkiwi]

Had the car about a week now and initially it was fine and would rev to 6000 no problems. Starting on Monday its been getting progressively less powerful and starting to make a noise very like when a turbo car blows a hose off. Like a turbo car it gets worse with more throttle. Currently it struggles to get above 3000 rpm and feels as flat as a flat thing thats been flattened.
I'm thinking the cat may be toast - anyone have any other ideas?
It idles smoothly and has recently had new plugs and distributor caps and I fitted new plug leads this weekend but no change.

Its a 93 (made in 92) and I've inspected the loom and it appears ok.
Does anyone know when the self destructing looms first appeared?

Its a 129067 with the M119.072 engine.

Thanks

 

[lostkiwi]

Had a bright idea tonight....

Using a laser infrared temperature probe measured the pipe temperature pre and post cat.
Pre cat was around 150 degrees, post cat was only around 50 degrees. Pretty conclusive I think.
Cat removal tomorrow I hope....

 

[E55BOF]

Ingenious, and I'm impressed. Costs nothing, does the job; lateral thinking at its best.

What's the mileage on the car?