when putting my new cat-back on my buddy, who was helping me, "accidentally" forgot to reattach the grounding strap at the flange and now i can't find it (will be making a new one soon though). what are the possible ramifications of running without one?

 

your engine will grow pistons.... FIX IT QUICK!!!



Seriously though, I doubt anything serious. allthough.What do i know.

 

After that it will sprout a camshaft and complicated valve assembly, and the world will end!

 

haha RX7Wishing, i just opened up this page and saw your "FIX IT QUICK!!!" and it scared the crap out of me! then i read the rest of what you said. i know this was a pretty stupid question to ask, but i (nor anyone i work with) couldn't figure why the cat-back needed to be grounded. thanks for the quick responses though guys much appreciated

 

 

The more grounding points on a car, the better. In the case of the exhaust, it can become an electrical interference generator if totally ungrounded due to the electron flow generated by the out-rushing gasses thru the exhaust pipes. The cat-back part of the exhaust is insulated by the rubber hangers, so therefore you have the grounding strap as the final point of a good ground.
Yes, the pipes are bolted together with metal gaskets and bolts and nuts so you have continuity, but corrosion can cause a less than ideal situation, so...the grounding strap. The worst thing you are likely to see is things like the 3K hesitation.

 

thanks bajaman. i plan on replacing it, i just wanted to make sure that my cat-back wasn't gonna go "poof" and launch itself off the back end of my car i know, noob stuff, noob stuff. i'm gonna replace it as soon as i can, hopefully before thursday this week.

 

You may have connecting rods if you wait that long man.

 

It actually helps ground the o2 sensor. You can just go to an autoparts store and purchase a grounding strap. The stock one is junk quality and breaks.