Sidesill Paint/Heat resolution?

[-TRQuixote-]

Picked up a 97 GTS that’s showing paint bubbling on the passengers side side sill. I see that this is a known issue, but I’m curious if there’s a generally accepted fix outside of repaint all the time (or is that the best option?)

Thank you!

 

[Goggles Pizano]

Remove factory cats.

 

[-TRQuixote-]

I’m reading that switching to high flow and heat shields would help. Removing the cats seems hit or miss. Some people get engine light issues as a result?

 

[daveg]

Stock Exhaust?

 

[-TRQuixote-]

Stock Exhaust?

Correct.

 

[daveg]

Correct.

So I have the Borla 3" Cat-Back (Stock is sitting in my basement) and I have no bubbling of paint at all. Just more of a reference.

 

[-TRQuixote-]

So I have the Borla 3" Cat-Back (Stock is sitting in my basement) and I have no bubbling of paint at all. Just more of a reference.

I’ve been eyeballing different exhaust options. Some great videos on YouTube. It’s supposed to go in for paint correction and ceramic this week but now I’m almost wondering if I should wait on that and fix the side sill first

 

[daveg]

Personally I would only ceramic a Daily Driver.
A car that never sees rain or snow, I personally wouldn't waist my money. But, your car, your decision.
I am sure this will spark another debate.

 

[Goggles Pizano]

I’m reading that switching to high flow and heat shields would help. Removing the cats seems hit or miss. Some people get engine light issues as a result?

The PCM is slow to react I was told so you can put extenders in the rear.

To keep exhaust smell down, high flow cats and shields.

 

[Bill W]

I had my exhaust wrapped with heatshield armor. High-flow cat (see pic). The cat was not wrapped as per installer. Also did paint correction and ceramic coating. See it here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXvdsqYtpp-/?igsh=MWRucWw1cWhpd2d5aA==

 

[-TRQuixote-]

I had my exhaust wrapped with heatshield armor. High-flow cat (see pic). The cat was not wrapped as per installer. Also did paint correction and ceramic coating. See it here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXvdsqYtpp-/?igsh=MWRucWw1cWhpd2d5aA==

Man that looks great! I need a little paintwork on my sidesill. I was planning to do that next year…but I wonder if I shouldn’t be getting that done before plant correction and ceramic.

That’s a pristine Viper though bud!

 

[Jametemp]

Ultimately that is your preference if you do it before or after.

Just be aware that removing or going to high flow cats is not a guarantee fix. I have no cats, and my exhaust wrapped just like Bill and still have bubbling paint on my sills. I've even gone as far as putting positive pressure in the exhaust system to look for pin hole leaks (there are none). It's just something I've learned to accept with my 97.

 

[-TRQuixote-]

Ultimately that is your preference if you do it before or after.

Just be aware that removing or going to high flow cats is not a guarantee fix. I have no cats, and my exhaust wrapped just like Bill and still have bubbling paint on my sills. I've even gone as far as putting positive pressure in the exhaust system to look for pin hole leaks (there are none). It's just something I've learned to accept with my 97.

Great thoughts. Thank you!

 

[Steve E]

The best thing I did to my Viper was to remove the cats, side sills are cool as a cucumber, and as far as the smell goes it's no worse than my other older cars that never came with cats from the factory. There is no emissions testing here and if the check engine light comes on put O2 extenders on the rear sensors, I have a performance ECU so it's not looking for that sensor .

 

[Old School]

Removing the cats was one of the best things I did with my Gen 3, much less heat. The old school test to see if a cat is functioning (on any car) is measure the temperature of the exhaust pipe going in and coming out of the cat with an IR thermometer. Typical good cat measurements are 200F in, 400+ out.