Exhaust Leak

[rschiltz]

I have an '02 GTS with Belanger LT's, HF Cats, and Corsa cat back. I pulled my driver's sill and noticed that one of my exhaust clamps has rubbed through the heat shield and while investigating noticed I have an exhaust leak. The back of the cat pipe does not reach the start of the Corsa catback by about .5 in. so the previous owner installed a clamp around both sides. It looks like he put foil in the middle of the clamp.

1) Is this the proper way to mate the rear part of the cat pipe to the start of the catback if not welding?

1) I'm going to replace the crappy exhaust U clamps are poking the shield and came on the car. What is the best style of clamp to use?

2) Should I attempt to patch the stock heat shield that was rubbed by the clamp or leave alone?

3) I was going to touch up the cat heat shield with header paint. Is there any way to know what type of HF cat I have? There is no marking anywhere on it. I assume it's a RT ceramic HF cat, but can't say for sure.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[MoparMap]

You can get band style clamps that are essentially a wide piece of stainless that will allow you to do butt joints like that. Typically the recommended practice though would probably be to sleeve the joint for a more secure fit. I guess it's a bit trickier since you have the rear exit exhaust though. I'd maybe pull the pipe out from the header to that cut and weld a sleeve on the end of it. Then you only have one joint to worry about, though it is close to the muffler, so that can be tough with clamps. Don't know that I'd worry too much about the heat shield. I think it just looks bad since it's had a leak there for a while. I don't think you'd cause any paint issues if you get the joint fixed.

 

[rschiltz]

Thanks Mopar Map, I appreciate the reply. I'm going to end up biting the bullet and welding one end and using a slip fit with the other.