I posted recently about some rather unpleasant exhaust noise . Had a look underneath yesterday while the car was running and noticed exhaust leaking where the red arrow is. Do I just need a new gasket here? Is the darker component my catalytic converter (or resonator)?


What about the reddish color 'stripe' that is running the length of the pipe - is that rust/corrosion? Thanks in advance for help.

 

By the looks of that leak its probably not just the gasket. You probably will have to get a new cat and b-pipe. That is alot of rust. The part where you have the rust stipe, that is the resonator, but it looks like not too long and it will rust thru there too. It doesnt look good.

I would get a high flow cat and a new b-pipe (section of pipe after the cat).

 

I was considering a new i/h/e setup and if the current exhaust is on it's last leg, this will justify the purchase even more.

BTW - how do you like you're icebox and DC header? I was specifically interested in both of these if I was to upgrade.

 

I love the icebox. It is quiet most of the time but when you punch it you can hear it. I think its alot quieter than other intakes. I liked it because it doesnt sacrifice your midrange, thats also the same reason i went with 4-2-1 header. The DC is made very well. If i had more money i would have went with the comptech header. But all in all i like the combonation. I have not yet seen the potential of both of these since i have not gotten exhaust yet. I plan to get the rsr exmag and a high flow cat so then i realise my gains with this set up.

 

Sounds like just the setup I'm looking for. I'm thinking the Apexi WS exhaust might complement this system as well since it's supposed to be rather quiet, but not as quiet as the rsr (nor as expensive either).

Would you say your setup increased power on the low end?

 

Its hard to tell, i have never dynod the car. Usually power gains on the low end increase nominally with i/h/e, usually gains are more pronounced in mid to high powerbands.

But i would like to think i got a little low end power.

 

Would appreciate anyone elses input here concerning my exhaust issue.

This morning, the pipe conneced to the resonator detached. Obviously, that will need to be fixed immediately. What about the rest of the system? Is there enough corrosion to warrant a full system upgrade?

 

The resonator is welded into the center of the mid pipe. Where exactly is it broken?

I would say if theh stock stuff is falling apart and you were already looking to upgrade, now would be a good time to go for it. If you don't have a huge budget you can get a non-stainless ceramic-coated header (bout $275 for a DC) , some kind of hi-flow cat (universal is under 100, pre-fabbed direct fit is like $200-250), and a non-stainless cat back exhaust with some kind of coating (A'PEXi WS is like $400).

Obviously you can spend more money to get perhaps more performance and stainless pipes, but I have no idea what your budget is so that's about the minimum you would have to spend for nice, new parts.

 

MrFatbooty - thanks for the reply.

The pipe broke where it meets the cat (see pic). Happened on the way to work and my car was freakin' loud. Anyway, not having the ability to fix myself, I had no choice but to have the shop replace the pipe/resonator assembly. Kinda pissed 'cuz the money I spent could've gone to a whole new cat-back system

I think the question for me is, how much more life can I expect w/the remainder of the exhaust setup? I don't want to have the same thing happen where something breaks while I'm driving. Everything is stock - '95 w/72,000 miles and driven the last six years in Chicago winters. If more pics would help, I can supply.

Thanks again for the help :goodjob: