SPS

Hey, nice to see this site back!

I have a 99 SC2 I'm doing an exhaust job on at the moment, and have 2 questions:

1- The studs and nuts on the catalytic converter are shot.
Are those studs removable, or should I look into a new cat? It is older...


2- I'm already having to replace everything from the cat back (and possibly the cat depending on the answer to Q1). I figure if I'm that far in, lets just get a decent flowing exhaust under there. Problem is, its the wifes car, and as she put it, she has "no interest in sounding like a bumblebee on the way to work".

Does anyone make / are there any options for high(er) flow cats & exhaust that have a reasonable sound?

The converter studs are not designed to be replaced. But I'm guessing that they could theoretically be pressed out and replaced. Of course, given the fact that the downpipe connection is welded to the front of the converter, in my opinion, doing so would make no sense.

You'd might as well just cut the damn thing off and weld it at both ends - or weld a new flange to the back of the converter.

The S cars tend to be pretty resonant. Any exhaust that flows well enough to make power will make enough noise to potentially irritate your wife. But there is no way for anyone to guestimate her tolerance to the noise.

To minimize the noise concerns, be sure to keep a converter in place, and be sure to use a muffler that is well packed or baffled. The hollow cans from China are quite loud.

Thanks for the reply! I ended up cutting the behind the cat, pulling the downpipe and cat together, sticking them in a vise, and taking a sawzall to the studs. Of course by then, I noticed the poor condition of the cat and just decided to order another. Another $150, but I wont have to do this again for awhile