SQuaLZ

Hey all.

Over the winter I was getting this annoying rattle under the car, mostly on cold startups and then randomly while driving. Now that tax season is over and I have my life back, finally put the car in the air to see what was causing the rattle.

The cat shields are all rusted and they are rattling. Tried to wrap them, didn't help at all.

I guess my next idea is to just cut the covers off. If I do this, should I wrap the cats with heat wrap or do you guys think it is fine to leave as is?

I was thinking of just installing test pipes, but the nightmares I have read about the installation and my laziness is holding me back.

To be honest, I am at the point of car ownership where I do not want to do anymore upgrades. I am pretty sure the Z is going to get sold at some point this year. Owned it since 2009 and I think it may be time to move on.

Thanks in advance!

travlee

iTrader: (8)

being up north, and the fact that the shields were rusted, i bet the header bolts would be a pain for ya. i dont see the problem of leaving the shields off being that most after market ones dont have it, and i believe they are just to help cut down some heat transfer to the floorboard

Atreyu'z 350

^This.
-As you probably know, Squalz, there's a heat shield bolted to the floorboards right above the cats. So I think you'd be good as well, unless you plan to be driving in tall dry grass which I doubt.
- Also, installing test pipes isn't that difficult. I did mine(HFC's) in my driveway on jack stands. I took my time and everything went smooth.
- PB Blaster and RemLube w/Teflon are what I used, along with a brass brush to clean the threads prior to attempting disassembly.

SQuaLZ

Thanks for the responses.

Upon a little more research, it seems like heat-wrapping the cats is the worst idea as it breaks down the cats much quicker.

Some people have used hose clamps to tightly hold the shields and prevent the rattle. So I guess I will try that, and if not, I will cut them off and see what happens.

I don't really mind installing test pipes too much. It's more about the fact that I do not plan on keeping the car for much longer. It's just that the rattle is really annoying me.

SQuaLZ

So I hit the "screw it" part and decided that I am going to order test pipes.

Stuck between the Z1 test pipes and the Berk.

I am just worried about cracking since I have the S-Tune, but oh well it is worth a shot.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

pb blaster the bolts a day or more before you attempt it.... you will need several long extensions a bolt from the engine bay loose

SQuaLZ

Thanks for the advice. I am going to try to have everything soak for at least 2 days.

Also, do I need a tune if I run test pipes? Engine mods would only be test pipes and cat-back. If I am going to need a tune maybe I will just get HFCs instead.

As mentioned, not trying to be cheap but also do not want to put much money into the car since I am not going to keep it for much longer.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

you will lean out some, but many have driven with those mods for years and never had problems

SQuaLZ

Thanks. Pulled the trigger and ordered Z1 test pipes and 02 extensions. Excited to see how it will sound with the S-Tune

Atreyu'z 350

You'll find an angle grinder useful as well on the Y-pipe flange bolts. You'll also have rasp when running test pipes if you don't have a resonator on that S-Tune.

SQuaLZ

I have my angle grinder ready just in case lol. The S-tune is not modified so I don't think I will have much, if any rasp. I'm sure the hiss will be a little annoying but I will get over it. I ran test pipes for years on my prior car and it never bothered me. Then again, I was much younger so I loved loudness.

Atreyu'z 350

It's like my favorite tool.. And ok for no rasp, hopefully.
Yeah, I remember those days. Driving around with just headers on my '80 Firebird after finishing the built 455 SD swap lol that was fun.

SQuaLZ

So Z1 is out of stock on their Z1 test pipes, so they upgraded me to AAM test pipes at no additional charge.

I checked out some Youtube vids and it sounds pretty good. Hopefully not too loud. I want it to be normal at regular driving and I don't mind loud when I get on it.

Atreyu'z 350

Well that was nice of them. Enjoy.