I believe you're a candidate for the recall. (Check the FAQ section- http://contour.org/FAQ/FAQ.php?s=probs&displayid=8) The warranty should cover the exhaust componets for 80K miles. The pre-cats crumble and the dust and chunks clog up the main cat. It's also possible to suck a chunk of the pre-cat into an exhaust valve and trash a cylinder.

Scott 95 SE-2.5L ATX (Sold, but not forgotten...)