I had an cat-back exhaust system put in on my 00 EX and now I'm getting this super annoying rattle at around 2k-3k rpms, when I'm shifting and slowing down and such.. it's hard to fathom anymore.

I know the issue, but don't know of a fix. The pipe after the resonator which curves a bit is pretty much resting on the rear heat shield near the fuel tank. I can take off that heat shield, but I don't think it's a good idea since it's right next to the fuel tank..

Any ideas/help/advice?

Here's how it looks...

 

grab it with some pliers, and bend it a little so its not hitting the exhaust

 

I've tried that, but it's a bit hard to bend at that point because of the fuel tank. Also, I was using the stock jack to life the car and get under.. which, I know, isn't safe at all... I might give it another go at a buddies house, he has a proper jack and stands.

Even so, I don't think it will bend much more than it is already. I might need to remove it fully to see..? Any other ideas? Thanks for your response.

 

cutting the heat shield where it hits?

but that would be the same as removing it

 

I hope you didn't actualy go under it on the stock jack w/stands . you might as well just get a new one the're pretty cheap and it's worth it not to have a rattle my muffler was hangerless(had new one welded on just forgot hangers) it smaked against my rear bumper when ever I went over a bump. Wanted to rip it of after a day got some hangers then welded them up as far as "instal" goes it just two 10 or 12mm bolts holding it

 

I thought of cutting it... but from where it's sitting, if I'm going to cut it, then mind as well take the whole thing off..

And about getting a new one, I can do that.. but, wouldn't the same issue arise again? If it's going to get placed on the same spot, then I'm assuming it will hit the pipe again. I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow to see what they say, but I don't want to get ripped.

 

i don't suppose you can get a wider(full pic) of the exhaust if i were you i'd say get 2-4 inhces cut from some where before that bend thus backing it more towards the center of the" tunnel". I had to custom weld an exhaust for a car and we had that issue just cut out two inches where it was straight and the pipe was centered and didn't scrape/hit. think of it this way if it was any longer you'd be right against the tank take off 2-3 inces and it backs it away from the tank if you can pull the B-pipe and bring it to a shop it will save you at least 90% of the cost weld cost:10-15 where I live cost with whole car on lift:80+.

 

ask them if they can bend the heat shield for you

 

Right now, I can't get a wider pic.. It needs to be up on a rack to get the view you're looking for

And yea, it's a Megan Racing D-Spec exhaust which is suppose to fit my EX.. but the shop already cut a bit off the end because the tip of the muffler was hitting the bumper.. I might just have them cut it a bit and re-weld some piping elsewhere. Nothing I can do myself, I suppose?

And I'll ask them if they can bend it more tomorrow, the mechanic said he tried as much as possible when originally putting it on to avoid any issues, but I guess he didn't try hard enough. lol

 

consider what i said in my last post with bringing the B pipe by it's self

 

Just remove it. I've been running without any heat shields on my exhaust for a few years now, including time spent boosted (stupidly high EGTs) and I've never had a problem.

 

so the second pipe, after the resonator, you're saying to shorten?

And jbpnoman, you've got NO heat shields at all? My cars all stock, except exhaust and suspension for the moment.. so then I should be fine without it if you're running boost?

 

I was running boost until the center cartridge blew, but yes, I was boosted for a little over a year without any heat shields, and had no problems. Correct, no heat shields at all, from the exhaust ports all the way to the tip.

 

I need some sleep. Will attack this issue tomorrow, or, later today lol. If all else fails, I might just take the damn thing off!

 

Are you kidding me? They took a bit off of the end of the exhaust to make it fit under your bumper? Why did'nt they just change the angle of the muffler a bit?

If i were you i would definitely just remove the heat shield. In case you're actually afraid of burning your fuel. Just take a piece out before the bend of about 0.5-1" and weld a part like that after the bends in as well. This way you kind of move the bends forward giving it more space next to your tank.

 

They couldn't change the angle of the muffler because of how the hangers were on there. They came pre-welded and had an odd angle.
It wasn't a huge cut, maybe an inch or half.
No biggie really.

And yea, some sort of cutting and replacing is what might happen.

 

Um. They could have reworked the hangars. Seen it done too many times.

 

Got it up on a rack and just bent the heatshield, seems to be doing fine now