I've got a magnaflow catback on my gf's 96 and at first it was rubbing on the rear heatshield at the S-bend and so the shop looked at it and said that it was too long. So they shortened it an inch and now the problem is the flange on the axle-back is right on top of the rear sway bar and it rattles the entire car especially when slowing down. So the shop is going to look at it again and they might add that inch they took out and put it back in but then I'll be back to the same issue of it rubbing with the heatshield.

The heatshield is already bent in as much as possible. The current set-up is OBX header which we're swapping back out for the stock ex header as soon as I get a part in from Honda. Random tech cat and the magnaflow. Any recommendations on what to do if it starts rubbing on the heatshield again? Is there some sort of rubber that I can put there to dampen the vibration?

Also, my random tech cat didn't come with hangers so the front end of the entire exhaust system to me isn't as rigid as the rear, can this be a contributing factor to the rubbing and vibrating?

 

Bump da bump

 

My exhaust does the same thing. (Rubbing) I bent the heat shields, it got a lot more quiter, I only hear it on the bumps. I eliminated the flex piece on the mid pipe though, I think thats what did it.

 

The heatshield is bent as much as possible already, what is your set up?

 

My friends exhaust did that and he bought a new exhaust and it doesnt do it at all now...so I dunno what to tell you other than get a new exhaust which can be a pretty penny sorry

 

Remove the heatshields??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by importfanatic17 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Remove the heatshields??</TD></TR></TABLE>
Although you can remove some of the heatshields, I'm sure they were put there for a reason

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Knightmare69 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The heatshield is bent as much as possible already, what is your set up?</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's a Magnaflow cat-back, I'd hate to think that I'd hav to drop another 3-4bills on top of the 3bills we already dropped on this magnaflow.

 

ya, same problem here

 

I'd leave the heat shields alone. I did my own custom job (I work at the muffler shop) Went with 2 1/4 pipes from cat all the way back to EX muffler with eliminating the flex pipe thats in da middle before the bend. It looks stock, but doesnt sound like it. No bringingingin or ear killing noise, just a nice rumble.

There is no way you can adjust yours, cuz its just hangs there. I can only imagine where your heatshields are at right now. Lol. I guess the only thing I suggest about the flange part is to ask your muffler shop if they can correct the angle of the pipes, by bending them a little upward at the flange, but not too much, then you'll hit the floor pan. I've learned that bending pipes its like being a diamond cutter. One mistake and you fk up the product. Good luck n let us know.

P.S. I tried to modify the muffler hangers, by heating them up and rebending them closer at the muffler. Pipes raised up 1/4 of an inch, but now muffler is slightly hitting the bumper. I just cant win!!!!!!

 

I just recently installed my Tanabe cat-back and I spoke with many people on here that said they too had removed the heatshields due to their rattling. All of them had said that they had not had any problems thus far.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by importfanatic17 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just recently installed my Tanabe cat-back and I spoke with many people on here that said they too had removed the heatshields due to their rattling. All of them had said that they had not had any problems thus far.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The rear heatshield? The one above the S-Bend at the rear?

In any case, the car is going into the shop sat morning, gonna install the factory ex header back in and drop kick the OBX crap I didn't know I had till recently. Gonna sound much nicer, have better low end and hopefully will be able to fix this issue. At the present time, the S-Bend is not rubbing, it's the rear axle back flange banging against the rear sway because it's sitting right on top of it!

 

Oh! If that is the case, ignore my idiotic posts.

 

Well, got the car back from the shop, had the OBX header replaced with the stock Ex header and man what a F'n difference. Sound, power and the whole package has been revamped. The car is more responsive and that annoying exhaust leak sound is gone. The Ex header combined with the random tech high flow cat and magnaflow 2.25 cat-back is a smooth ride. I got back my low torque and just loving the ability to press down slightly on the pedal and have the car actually go somewhere is amazing.

As for the rubbing issue, the stock header has pulled the cat-back towards the front of the car which leaves the rear axle back hanger just right in front of the rear sway bar. It looks really close but I've tested it all weekend and so far nothing just I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed.