When you take off the catalytic converters for the car there is a sort of "\__/" shaped piece that has to come off before we take the cats off. If my memory serves me correct that's the general shape.

Now my question is.. What happens if this piece isn't connected? When I got my cats removed, then stock cats put back on the people didn't attach that piece again.. Was just curious. Thanks!

 

i believe thats the ones to hold the stock cat. converter... dont really need it with aftermarket testpipes or HFC

 

it helps support the weight so you don't stress the joints.

 

yea now im starting to worry... should i go back and get it installed?

 

if you have a jack, its easy to diy.
edit: just saw you have tpipes. nm.

 

Actually mine is not connected, and i've had my stock cats back on for awhile. Now when I go around i hear a shudder probably from the cats moving around. When it gets warm i'll do it at home i guess :-)

Thanks.

 

I left mine off when I put on the HFC's. No problems.

 

I think the statement "not needed for aftermarket cats" may need to be scrapped.

https://my350z.com/forum/intake-exhaust/167339-omg-look-at-this-crap.html

 

The brace that you are talking about goes across the center and attaches to the black support. If you have that bracket, and it fits, sure put it back.

 

ya, i cracked a set of hf cats once. i def think all a/m cats/pipes should have a place to attach the crossbar.

 

+1

There is a reason the Nissan engineers placed a flex-brace in that exact location. It allows the exhaust system to flex, but eliminates a majority of the hanging weight between the engine block and B-pipe hanger. My Helix HFCs did not come with this brace, so I rigged something up for myself the day I installed them. I've inspected the welds and joints and everything looks fine a Year later. This spring I'm going inspect the joints and welds again and replace the rubber connection on my "HFCs bracket" with a solid bar. I feel the rubber bushings on the U-brace do their job and the rubber piece on my brackets is just overkill. The addition of this rigid piece will strengthen the overall system that much more. I'm definitely doing this before the Nismo exhaust goes on in a month or so.

I bought the U-bolt with rubber connector and perforated bar at Pep Boys...



GL,
Zquicksilver

 

According to your solution, you will have to add ALOT of braces, which I don't think is cost effective...

 

I think you may be confused by the illustration...

The "red" represents the welds undergoing stress do to the lack of 2 brackets or braces attached to the stock U-brace. Just like the engineers intended... You can purchase the multi piece U-bolt brackets at PepBoys for $7... A $14 dollar solution

Zquicksilver

 

good idea, quicksilver.