My cat is making a rattling noise. Tested the exhaust no leaks. Should I replace the whole exhaust or is there an easier fix for this? I would like an exhaust with a snorkel though. Anyone on here recommend any certain exhaust? Thanks, Dave

 

You can replace just the Y-pipe, or take it to a shop and have them cut out your cats and install universal weld-in cats.
Why do you want an exhaust snorkel? Unless you're planning on parking in water 3 feet deep, or driving in water 30 feet deep or so, there's no need for one.

 

are you certain its not the heat shield not making noise or a loose oxygen sensor or a broken stud?

 

Magnaflow makes good aftermarket high flow cats....

 

I can't verify this but a lot of the auto parts sites I went to said to stay away from the Magnaflows for now. Longevity problems. So when I installed my new cats this last weekend I got Maremounts from CarQuest they were $73.87 per cat, another $15 for exhaust pipe to finish off the job.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...P|GRP2023P____

That's a link to some customer reviews on the failing Magnaflows, after reading those I didn't want to chance it.

This is a good writeup on replacing them:

http://www.discoweb.org/cats.htm

I was getting a code on my passenger side CAT when it died, it was a cat efficiency code and when I cut the cat out the honeycomb inside came out in chunks. No doubt a result of the drive shaft smashing into my cat when it let lose.

I will also say this, this job is not easy. After cutting out the cats you need to very carefully line everything up from the flanges back to the muffler. If you're off even a little bit nothing will fit. So measure ten times, weld once if you decide to do this. Otherwise just pay the $400 for the complete Y-pipe from your local parts shop. Also figure on replacing the studs on the exhaust flange, I had to replace all six and they were $2 a stud for grade 8.

 

I read the reviews. All I can say is that I had a problem with their suggested dealer. They sold me the cats and had them installed at another shop. It had a stinking clamp on it and was leaking. I took it back to them 3 times and they finally said it was all they would do. I would say that it looked like a retarded 3 year old welded them, but would be worried about offending the 3 year old. I called Magnaflow and sent them the documentation and pictures. I cut out what the shop had done and installed them correctly. They sent me a full refund (install as well) and an amended warranty card with my information specific, keeping my full lifetime warranty.

Customer service was great. Many times people have cats fail due to other engine problems. If it the problem isn't corrected, the next cat will fail too. Especially high flow.

 

I'm sure my failed head gaskets helped kill my original cats, I'm sure it didn't help anyway.

 

I appreciate all the help. It is definetly not a heat shield when u tap the exhaust it rattles. I think cutting the y pipe and installing a new one is in my future. thanks, dave