I've been fighting with the joint between my main cat and the pre-cats. When I got it there was nothing more then RTV sealing it up, which was destroyed, so I got some Mazda gaskets and re-did both ends of the main cat after gutting it out (was clogged), and it held for a couple of months, but blew out. I re-seated everything, because the new bolts I used weren't lock-tited (oops), so they eventually loosened ot the point the seal broke free.

Now it's a constant battle between myself and the seal. It keeps blowing, and I have even gotton desperate enough to use the highest temp RTV I could find on both sides of the gasket before putting it in there. Needless to say, it doesn't last long.

I don't want to replace the pre-cat and main cat assembly yet (NOPI has a good one that I've heard good things about), so I was thinking of just JBwelding the connection for now, or maybe even trying to double up on the gasket.

Any input as to how the JBweld thing would work? I don't plan on taking it apart again. If I do, it'll be to replace the whole pre-cat and main cat assembly. Thanks.

 

i dont know if any rtv could withstand rotary temps. it was my understanding that exhaust gaskets dont use sealant. im not sure if JBweld can take it, but ill bump so maybe someone can give an answer.... *cough* wayne.... *cough*

 

Just use a thick layer of high temp RTV after u clean the mating surfaces and then finger tighten them and let them cure for a while. Then torque them down after. I would use this in conjuction with a paper gasket.

 

You need to check out why you keep blowing seals. Thats my .02. Is your cat clogged?

 

My cat was clogged when I got the car, but has been gutted and flows well. I'll get down there and take some pics of the mounting later tonite. I'm thinking there should be a hanger on the front part of the main cat, but I only have one on the rear holding it up back there. I don't know if it's just suppose to be supported by the pre-cats in the front.l

 

I'm giving this a shot right now. I have a paper gasket here from god knows what, and it just so happens it's for a 2.5" exhaust. I can see how this is going to work better then my last RTV attempt. Last time I just gooped 'er up, and squeezed the whole mess together. If you let it dry just hand-tight though, you'll have a much thicker seal upon tightening it.

I also pulled out the Dremel and grinding tool and really cleaned out the mating surfaces and cleaned everything with laquer thinner.

 

Yeah, I was replacing my rear calipers today (yay! I have an e-brake now), and noticed that the right side of my exhaust was hanging a little funnier then normal.

Well, turns out the y-pipe had ruseted out on that side where the pipe comes out to the muffler. So, I pulled the muffler and offending pipe and now have one hell of a loud car. Lol. I'm going to start hunting around for a y-pipe to replace it, which should just bolt right on (hopefully). How much should a rotary bro. expect to pay for one of those?

 

Its not a stock Y pipe is it? Who makes your exhaust? Chances are you either need one custom fab'd by the local muffler shop- or you can find a suitable replacment from a company. I was quoted $100 for a custom 2.5 inch dual.

 

I don't know if it is or not. Here's a pic of the current setup:



And the muffler that was attached:

 

Yep that looks stock. Infact that looks exactly like the one I pulled of my NA- broke at the split in my case. Problem is most of these cars that old and in your state are all rusted in the same place and arent worth re using. Have a muffler shop whip ya up a new one .

 

Damn, think I'd be best off with a Midas, or one of those smaller shops?

 

That doesn't look like a stock muffler...

 

Doesnt look stock to me either. Tip looks way too big and the angle from the y pipe to the end of the muffler is not round like that but sharp and not angled more than 45 degrees.

BTW what's all that black stuff on your underbody?

 

The Y pipe, not the muffler. READ.

 

ya dude... thats a nice tip... and thats not the way stock ones connect to the y-pipe and all that...