Flex pipe do i need it?

[ericsmith32]

Well the cat has holes and is leaking on the festiva so I going to have it wacked tomorrow -mob style. The question is should I put a flex pipe in it's place or just a regular pipe? I want this to be a permanent solution with no problems.

[mattswabb]

Yes. I bought one for my exhaust that is being done this week. It's not the cheap stuff like the dryer vent but a nice one. Plan on $20-25. They come in different lengths to. You might be able to get one long enough to replace the cat without using any more straight pipe.

If you don't you will have more problems later.

[mechanicaldj]

how many miles does it have on it?

b/c the cat is usually the last thing to go,

sure it is the cat? could it be the flex coupling leaking?

[ericsmith32]

It only has around 150k but it sat for quite a while. It was leaking around the flex coupler and on the rear flange where somebody didn't weld it right. Fixed the rear then I felt around the cat and I could feel exhaust coming from the base of the cat.. between the shield and outlet. Not to mention I can basically stick my finger in the cat.. that doesn't sound good. I don't know if something hit it that caused the holes but my dad's is doing the same thing. But up till now that is a first.

[Guest]

I used a piece of straight pipe and an 8"x 3" flex joint..

[ericsmith32]

The place I normally go to for exhaust work wanted $75 just to remove the cat and $75 for the flex pipe including install... they brought it down to $120 I almost told them where to go and how to get there. Way to much in my opinion.. I could be wrong though?? They wanted that much just to replace the cat almost 6 months ago.. that made since. I guess I have to find a new place to get my exhaust work.

[festerzilla]

Remember that a catalytic core is worth $... which is something they're not telling you. It has platinum or some such rare metals in it, let 'em know, or do it yourself. I will not take my car to any mechanic till I am very old or very rich :lol: Good luck.

[FB71]

yeah, a fouled, 150k mile cat is worth a whopping $10-$20 core value. Keep in mind, the shop has operating costs to meet. $120 for parts and labor really doesn't sound unreasonable. Hell, around here, that's cheap. But then again, us Festiva owners are notoriously cheap.... I mean, after all, we are driving Festivas!

[ericsmith32]

Well I talked to another shop and they were able to cut the flange off of the cat and weld a pipe to that flange -$50. Basically uses the stock flex setup. Without the cat it sounds like a sounds really wicked :shock: . Didn't notice much performance except around 5k or so.

[gdawgs]

Remember that a catalytic core is worth $... which is something they're not telling you. It has platinum or some such rare metals in it,

Rhodium if I remember correctly from chemistry class.