Elmo

I know a guy who has a workshop and I occasionally use his ramp, he has welding equipment but he told me he is unable to weld to stainless, think he has the wrong type of welder.

No, I think the bracket has broken off at some point, there is nothing supporting the exhaust except the hanger on the silencer. The exhaust isn't knocking or anything, but overtime the movement is putting stress on the only fixed point which is the flange on the first cat, every few months it starts blowing.

Hi, I’m after a little bit of help with a small l problem I have with my exhaust. I have a 3” catback exhaust (both cats are in place), however the only support for the exhaust is from the hanger on the silencer, and because of this the exhaust is able to move quite a bit, which causes the seal to go regularly where the from 1st cat joins the 2nd. What I want to do is add another support further along the exhaust to prevent excess movement/twisting. I have tried fixing a 3” exhaust clamp which will attach to a hanger but the clamp rattles on the pipe, does anyone know of something that can be used as is or modified which will support the exhaust while allowing a small amount of flexibility? Thanks.

Thanks Nic

I need the part number for the crush ring/gasket, where the 1st cat joins the manifold (for NA), there is also one where the 1st cat joins the 2nd cat, I think they're the same. Thanks.

Hi, Which gaskets are you referring to, manifold end or the end that mates with the 2nd cat? I haven't bought any gaskets yet, I'm not really sure what I need.

Hi, Quick question I hope someone can answer. A couple of years ago I de-catted by NA (2nd cat only), but with the exhaust the car was too loud for me, so I replaced the 2nd cat. So that the 2nd de-cat would fit I had to grind the spigot/lip thing of the first cat, but ever since replacing the 2nd cat I have had a problem with it blowing at the joint where the 1st cat and 2nd cat meet. Several times I have fitted a new gasket with fire ring and high temp silicon paste, but after a few months it starts to blow again. I have just bought a second hand 1st cat, hopefully this will solve the problem. But wondered when I fit the replacement, will I need to fit gaskets to where the cat joins the manifold, or will copper silicon past do? Cheers!

If your panels are stock and in decent condition you don't have to remove the rubber coating, just clean them then apply the plastidip directly, 5-6 coats should do the job.

I don't think it peels off that easy, you have get a pin or something in it to get it started, then you have to pull it off. It's quite hard wearing, after all people paint their wheels and whole cars in the stuff, just make sure you give it 5 or 6 coats and you'll be fine.

Nice one

I can't put into words how loud mine was after I got a 2nd decat. it was rediculous, it sounded like my exhaust had fallen off

2000rpm is not much more than tick over on cold startup, I'd be interest to know what the db's are at 4800rpm

You can spray Plastidip directly onto almost anything, plastic and rubber included. Just make sure you clean the surface first then spray it on, much easier than using conventional spray paint. There aren't many places that sell it, if plastidip.co.uk have sold out, you'll need to wait for them to get more stock. I have seen it on ebay but it's twice the price.

Plastidip would be by far the easiest and cheapest option, all you need to do is buy a can. If you don't like it just peel it off and get them carbon wrapped.

Did you go for a matt finish?

I'm Considering painting my dash in PlastiDip black, with gloss finish. It seems like a good idea, firstly you can spray directly over the dash, no need to spend hours prepping (except for cleaning the surface prior to spraying), and if you mess up or decide to change colours you can just peel it off and start again. Has anyone used plastiDip their dash, or any other part for that matter?

I've had my car since 2001, this year was the first time it failed...Pesky electric drivers ruined my 100% pass rate

I have just removed my O2 sensors for a clean, and found that only 1 of them had a gasket fitted. Any ideas if a local motor factors or Halfords would stock these? Cheers!

I took my car for a re-test on Saturday, while I was there I had a chat with the guy who owns the place, he's been doing my MOT's for 12 years, so he knows me and my car quite well. I asked him about exhaust noise, he said that their aren't any strict guidlines regards exhaust db, he said the MOT testers use their own discretian, they have to consider if the exhaust is in keeping with the car, if someone has fitted a badboy exhaust to a Corsa then is will most likely fail, however if is a Supra or similar they would probably pass it providing the volume isn't "excessively" loud. Also, with regards to de-cats, he said they could fail the exhaust on the basis that it is "incomplete", as it deviates too far from the original system fitted at the factory.

I don't know what insurance costs are like in Holland but if you are 17 when you buy a stock Supra I doubt you will get insurance. Sometime ago I read a post from a 17 year old on Pistonheads forum saying he was quoted over £10,000 for a Volvo S40 You may have to lower your expectaions for the first 5 or 6 years, start off with a Fiat 500 and work your way up from there

Today I had a chat with the guy who owns the MOT test centre, he said their aren't any strict guidlines regards exhaust db, he said the MOT testers use their own discretian, they have to consider if the exhaust is in keeping with the car, if someone has fitted a badboy exhaust to a Corsa then is will most likely fail, however if is a Supra or similar they would probably pass it providing the volume isn't "excessively" loud. Also, with regards to double de-cats, he said they could fail the exhaust on the basis that it is "incomplete", as it deviates too far from the original system fitted at the factory. It makes sense, but I guess different test centres may have different opinions.

Double de-cat = your neighbours will wish you dead

I'm not sure what the current restrictions are on noise come MOT time, my exhaust was still very loud with both cats in place, so I've recently fitted a baffle to quieten it down, it’s now much nicer to drive, and only a little bit louder than stock. All being well I'm taking my car in tomorrow of an MOT re-test, while I'm there I'll ask the guy about noise restrictions.

Yes the Exhaust is louder, much louder. The noise mine made on the motorway (with 2nd de-cat) was rediculous, my work collegues knew I was on my way long before I reached the car park!

I did it once, thought it would ne a PITA but it wasn't too bad, just take your time.