Over time it can become packed with particles which impede flow of the exhaust. Also, it can get hot by too much unburnt gasoline entering it.
Check to see if the catalytic converter heat shield is in place or the converter has been hit and sitting too close to the floor pan.
Clogged converter, running too rich or a misfiring plug.
Too rich of an air/fuel mixture of one of more cylinders missing and not completely burning the fuel.
when it gets that hot it needs replaced. I have had one catch on fire Okay, I'm a girl and I even know this. Usually when you have a red hot converter it means that most likely and since you have a catilac then it still makes since that you were probably going to fast, or you were breaking too hard from going too fast... it depends on the condition, it either needs to be replaced or it needs to cool down.
Yes, a catalytic converter can make it run hot if it is plugged.
Loss of power, and a converter that gets red hot.
There is not an antitheft cover for the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter gets extremely hot and cannot be covered.
Without specifics I can only guess. Based on your description I would guess the "Red Hot" is the catalytic converter. The converter does normally become extremely hot, about 1000 degrees F. If the car is running poorly and emitting high levels of pollutants, the converter temperature can reach as high as 2000 degrees F. In this case the converter innards will melt and destroy the converter.
Probable slipping torque converter.
Your exhaust runs through the skid plate which can trap the heat making the floorboard very hot, check your catalytic converter though, if it is getting too hot it may be clogged or you may be overheating it with an inefficient carb setting.
Not likley. You will normally see a loss of power and the converter will get red hot.
Loss of power, excess use of fuel, and converter will get red hot.