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Author Topic: 3.2 exhaust advice.  (Read 1354 times)

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Hawkins2103

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3.2 exhaust advice.
« on: 09 September 2018, 15:24:47 »

Hello everyone, the exhaust system on my 3.2 salon is finally beyond repair after years of bodging.
 Does anyone one know the best course to take in terms of replacing the complete system, cats and all. Weather that’s just buying it all of eBay, shopping around and trying to assemble a system through different venders, 3.0 cats (they seem a lot cheaper) and system or trying to find a breaker?

Any advice welcome.
Thanks.
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Enceladus

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Re: 3.2 exhaust advice.
« Reply #1 on: 09 September 2018, 15:38:49 »

If the cats are working then I suggest you leave them alone. If necessary drill out the screws that join to the exhaust centre sections and replace with the nuts and bolts usually supplied with the exhaust parts.
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Nick W

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Re: 3.2 exhaust advice.
« Reply #2 on: 09 September 2018, 15:38:55 »

The only part of an exhaust that is worth considering secondhand are the manifolds.


The entire system from the cats back is available new from Eternal for about £100. Most of us have them, and they're highly recommended. I fitted mine on my own, in the street in about 45 minutes. New cats are a slightly more contentious issue; personally I've had no problems with doing so, but that's not a majority opinion.
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Hawkins2103

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Re: 3.2 exhaust advice.
« Reply #3 on: 09 September 2018, 15:51:54 »

Thanks for the advice, the cats are pretty poor unfortunately the worst being drivers side, it has a hole in the side of the catalyst on the bend that someone had tried to and failed welding over. Unsure if I’d ever get a air tight join on the flanges either 
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Enceladus

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Re: 3.2 exhaust advice.
« Reply #4 on: 09 September 2018, 16:30:30 »

The flanges are usually OK. It's just they get corroded and the screws, if indeed they haven't been replaced already, seize in the threaded holes. So the screws can shear off when you try and undo. Hence drill out and replace with nuts and bolts.

I'd consider getting a specialist to look at the hole in the cat to see if it can be properly welded? Especially if the cats are working properly. Is the hole in the pipe downstream of the cat body and the sensor?  New cats, gaskets for the manifolds and studs etc might cost more than the car is worth.
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Doctor Gollum

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Re: 3.2 exhaust advice.
« Reply #5 on: 09 September 2018, 17:04:27 »

A new pattern exhaust isn't far off that measure, likewise a set of tyres... Etc, etc :)
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Hawkins2103

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Re: 3.2 exhaust advice.
« Reply #6 on: 09 September 2018, 18:18:07 »

The hole in the cat is between the two sensors on the inside of the bend but the cars never had any emission issues come mot time, apart from the standard 3.2 eml and runs/ drives fine.
 

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TheBoy

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Re: 3.2 exhaust advice.
« Reply #7 on: 09 September 2018, 19:25:17 »

For the centre sections and backbox, Eternal or ETS are excellent for the money (about £80ish delivered), and not worth messing with.

The cats is more of a problem.  The original GM 2.6/3.2 cats are pretty naff to start with, but most pattern ones have an annoying drone on motorway runs.

If legal performance is sort after, one of the best options might be to get some good 2nd hand GM 2.5/3.0 cats, but they will need minor mods (including some welding).  Only other viable option would be pattern ones, as 2nd hand 2.6/3.2 GM ones will be pretty crap now.
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Hawkins2103

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Re: 3.2 exhaust advice.
« Reply #8 on: 09 September 2018, 21:49:17 »

Thanks for the advice everyone  :y, now all that’s left is to actually get on with it.
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