converter leak

#1 01-04-2003, 01:00 PM

I recently took my 92 SVX in for an inspection in VA. Of course (just got my car finally driveable) it fails. They claimed the pipe from the catalytic converter was leaking. So I took it to an exhaust shop to figure out what needed to be done. The first thing the exhaust guy said was that he'd never seen anything like the SVX's exhaust in his life, which was a real confidence booster. Then, he said that he'd looked in his "what-to-do" book and it said I need to replace my left and right converter assembly, and quoted the subaru price for it 1,200$.
So I guess where I am right now is... can I cut the cat out and just put a pipe there? or is there some aftermarket/performance cat out there (which couldnt possibly be more expensive)? or should I go ahead and get a Subaru replacement?
I'm waiting to call subaruparts.com to see what kind of price they could get me one for. Oh, I asked the exhaust guy for some part numbers and all he could tell me was left and right converter assembly, so if anyone had some numbers for me that'd be great.

Thanks

Tim

Subafreak · #2 01-04-2003, 02:24 PM

Well, you could probly get a whole manifold back true duel exaust with new cats, mufflers, and tips for $700 so I wouldn't go the factory route, aftermarket parts are much cheaper. Any way you probly don't need any cats, it's most likely the flanges that are leaking (they can get pretty rotted) I'd take it to a shop that builds custom exaust and see if they can replace the flanges with something else. The only problem is that the flange that usually rots out it the one that lets the pipe flex so its tricky to fix, but for a long time I had no flex joint in my exaust and nothing bad happend, so you could probly just weld a piece of pipe in there, that would be the cheapest easiest way out.

Unless your ready to modify your exaust, then just go with the duals.

Good luck.

#3 01-04-2003, 02:52 PM

Where would you recommend I get a custom exhaust for 700$?

Beav · #4 01-04-2003, 05:46 PM

OEM cat pipes are high nickel alloy steel and don't rust. If the cat has a hole in it how did it get there? I worked at Midas for more than a few years and I've never seen any cat rust through.

That being said, why can't they just weld the hole shut for $25? Hmmm...maybe I just answered my own question...

Subafreak · #5 01-04-2003, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tfuller
Where would you recommend I get a custom exhaust for 700$?

Well if you lived near CT. you could bring it to my shop and I would build you the exaust. VA. a bit of a drive thoe. Check around the area get some quotes, there has to be a shop around you that could do it, and from what I hear labor is cheaper down there.