Exhaust Gen 2

[georgethedog]

Quick question. Without taking off the side sills and looking I was wondering if a high flow Cat could be exchanged without cutting? In other words, as the pipe comes down to the stock cat is it bolt-on or is the stock cat welded on?

If I change over to Random Tech Cats and a Corsa Cat-back I just want to keep the stock exhaust just in case a future buyer would want to go back EASILY. Might not make the car worth more now or later, but it may make it more saleable to some collector. I've been around Mopars since the 60's and stock means nothing---until they are 30+ years old, then it means everything. Plus, I have the room to store the stock exhaust. Thanks.

 

[JonB]

Short answer is NO.

Long answer is buy an OE take-off CHEAP and cut that one.

 

[hemihead]

The stock cat is welded on the front side and clamped on the back side so you willneed to cut it off. I cut mine off just on the "J" pipe side of the weld bead.

 

[georgethedog]

I also noted that one of our vendors had side sill insulation that would be in edition to what is there. Has anyone had any experience with that sort of product?

Oh, I just found the product (Bottom of page)
VIPER 1992-2002 Viper Performance Exhaust Parts & Accessories

 

[georgethedog]

Short answer is NO.

Long answer is buy an OE take-off CHEAP and cut that one.

Thanks Jon. Excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by an OE take-off? Would that be a nice condition one taken off a different car that I would then keep because I would have ruined the one I took off?

 

[georgethedog]

The stock cat is welded on the front side and clamped on the back side so you willneed to cut it off. I cut mine off just on the "J" pipe side of the weld bead.

Thanks. Was the pipe straight at that point where you cut it? When I was messing with my 98 GTS this summer someone cut the pipe at the bend and had some stupid extra piece in there to get the pipe back to straight so it would go down the side. It made it a real pain when I was making changes.

 

[hemihead]

Thanks. Was the pipe straight at that point where you cut it?

It's just barely straight right at the OEM weld point, thats why you need to cut it as close as possible. It's straight enough, it will work.

I don't weld so I put everything together, marked it and clamped it with a band clamp. I took the J pipe, Cat and resonator assembly to my trusty muffler shop, they put the assembly in the pipe bending machine to hold it all in place when they took the clamps off. Then the welded up the joints for me, I brought the assembly back and it slid right on to the car.

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I'll put the side sills back on then drive the car back over to the muffler shop in the spring to have rest of the exposed exhaust seams welded.

 

[JonB]

Numerous threads and experts (and SRT engineers) will tell you NOT to wrap your exhaust.

MOST Aftermarket exhausts and cats run waaay cooler than OE anyway..... why bother!? The CORSA you have chosen is 130-140 f cooler. The RT Ceramic Cats 150f cooler. NOTE: On HEMI photo, NO HEAT SHIELD on RT cats...not needed.....

YES, keep your OE parts OE to feed the fanatic, buy and cut the extra takeoff OE.

 

[plumcrazy]

i agree, that insulation stuff is garbage.

especially with HF cats, no need for it

 

[georgethedog]

Thanks Hemihead and JonB. Those are really timely pictures Hemihead. Same setup I was thinking.

 

[Ron]

I also noted that one of our vendors had side sill insulation that would be in edition to what is there. Has anyone had any experience with that sort of product?

Airflow is your friend and this not only eliminates airflow around the pipes but also creates a corrosive steam bath everytime you wash and then drive your car. Not good.

 

[georgethedog]

Airflow is your friend and this not only eliminates airflow around the pipes but also creates a corrosive steam bath everytime you wash and then drive your car. Not good.

That was what I was thinking. Thanks for confirming that. I looked at it and thought that's a bad idea on several levels.

 

[hemihead]

Thanks Hemihead and JonB. Those are really timely pictures Hemihead. Same setup I was thinking.

I bought it all from JonB, he won't steer you wrong.