Bad cats are not very hard to detect. Check out South Main Auto on YouTube and search for cat videos for some examples.
I have successfully diagnosed bad cat converters on 3 cars now after those cars had had new O2 sensors, seals, pumps... the parts cannon. Everyone wants to avoid the cats because they cost a g'dam fortune.
The way I did so was:
- Car #1: stab to the floor revs of the engine while in park felt and sounded choked. Further testing on a cold morning demonstrated the amount of exhaust you'd expect doing so was not exiting the tail pipe.
- Car #2: temp laser after driving before and after the cat. The temp before the cat was hotter than after the cat on one side of the car. Replaced both cats for good measure.
- Car #3: car had what sounded like valve train noise and was difficult to start. Owner attempted oil additives, no joy. Discovered the owner added ZDDP additive to the oil at every oil change and did mostly stop and go driving on short trips. That'll block up the cats. Replaced, no noise.