1. you said:

"Does hit theory about the abrupt shifts caused by the engine not running
right due to the bad cat sound right????

It would be good news if replacing the cat resolved the shifting issue..."

which sounds to me like you want to believe the catalyst affects the
transmission.  it doesn't, and replacing it won't stop your shifting
problem.

2. the catalyst has a full retail list price of $671.21, available
online for $469.85.
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&cat
cgry1=Accord&catcgry2=1998&catcgry3=2DR+EXV6&catcgry4=KA4AT&catcgry5=EXHAUST+PIP
E+%28V6%29

Whadda ya mean?

If I didnt replace the cat because of the tranny.
The cat needs replacing.
Where did I blow the $700 bucks?

Actually I called honda. The actual cat for this car costs over $1100
They quoted the wrong price to the mechanic and he made them honor the $790
for the cat.

I actually saved around $400 on the cat....

So where did I blow the $700  ??

Steve

shoulda dunnit /before/ blowing 700 bux...

Yes I've replaced the tranny fluid 3 times over the winter. (I know one
change doesnt get all the fluid out.)  Using Hondas ATF fluid.

Again I may not be accuratly repeating what the mechanic said.

Sounds like what he's saying is due to the bad cat, the O2 sensors are
sending a signal that may be causing the computer to shift at the wrong
time??? or the engine to rev a little higher before shifts??

The tranny issue is hard for me to tell if its a real problem.
Seems at low speed ( 10 - 20 mph ) I take my foot off the gas, coast/brake a
little then when I hit the gas again it sometimes seems to rather abruptly
go into gear.

I've done plenty of research on the 6th generation Accord transmissions but
that doesnt replace actually driving the car and knowing what a developing
tranny problem might FEEL like..

For example, I though my old used camry had a funny feel when shifting. I
brought it to a dealer who said No problem he could find. while in for other
work I mentioned it to my mechanic who traced it to a missfireing plug, I
think it was a coil???  ( he drove around with his computer hooked up to the
car and found it that way.)
What I felt went away after that!  So what I thought all along was a tranny
problem wasnt...
Bottom line is ignorance on my part...I have to go with the opinion of the
mechanic who has driven the car.

I just wanted to bounce this off you guys and hopefully educate myself a
little more...

Thanks Again

Steve

The Cat failure has nothing to do with the transmission shifting. Have you
had the transmission oil changed? It is critical on Honda transmissions. It
is also critical to use Honda transmission fluid. Google the problems and
read some of the information.

98 Accord coupe V6 110,000 miles

I posted earlier about a P0420 code and another post about the transmission
shifting abruptly.
I dropped the car off at my mechanic. He says the Cat needs replacing. (
fore and aft O2 sensors read the same indicating a bad cat..) He thinks what
I'm feeling in the tranny is caused by the problem with the Converter / O2
sensors / causing the engine to race a little between shifts. (keep in mind
I'm paraphrasing, I may not have it exactly right)

I gave him the ok to replace the converter at $790 for the part from
Honda!!!
He said he's used aftermarket before but recommended getting the OEM.
He says the rest of the exhaust looks good, (stainless steel)

Does hit theory about the abrupt shifts caused by the engine not running
right due to the bad cat sound right????

It would be good news if replacing the cat resolved the shifting issue...

Thanks

Steve