fitment issues with Budget Y-Pipe, RT Cat, and Apex'i Muffler
 

I installed an Apexi catback system on my car a few weeks ago, and then yesterday I just got my Random Technology catalytic converter and budget y-pipe in the mail.

The y-pipe fit on to the two header "outputs" fine, IE no tweaking or anything nessesary, but when it was time to connect the y-pipe to the piping from the muffler, I had a very hard time getting the Cat to fit in correctly.

The problem was that the metal bracket that holds up the exhaust piping between the cat and the y-pipe (screwed in to the two bolts that connect the flanges from those parts) wasn't fitting very well at all. I think the major culprit here is the way that the RT cat has it's "flange" assembly manufactured. It is basically a tube that gets wide right at the end, with the actual "flange" piece of metal loose on it. As you pull the piece tight to the end, it makes a seal, supposudly. With the gaskets as well, I have haven't been able to get the whole mess to fit, well.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I ended up tightening down the bolts holding the muffler piping to the cat to the y-pipe as best I could, and then driving it around for a bit. At first, it sounded great, a bit more thoarty, and I loved it. (not to mention it pulled noticably better :D), but after a day or so, I have began to realize there is major exhaust leakage developing by the cat. I can hear the air "hissing" out even during idle, coming from the CAT.

If it wasn't raining right now I'd try to prop the car up or even take it to the auto shop with a lift that I installed it on, but I can't do that this evening.

Basically, I am inquiring whether other people have had this problem or a similiar one, or know what I can do about it. How much of a loss will I be at if I go back to the stock cat? Should I take my car to a muffler shop and have someone with more experience than me look at it? How dangerous is runnig the car like this, other then having it sound like crap?

thanks.

buy some exhaust gasket to help you connect each section of your exhaust...

prob need to replace the gasket on the "front" side of the cat. but this time make sure it fits tighter, and the bolts are stright and parallel.

You may need to shave some off the RT cat flange so that the bolts fit better

pull out the 'ol dremel

I like the idea of dremeling, actually, thanks for pointing that out. Ok, that sort of sounds a bit weird...let me rephrase: "Dremeling idea sounds promising" :)

I did purchase the $18(!!! wow..) install kit from custommaxima.com with the RT cat, which came with gaskets. I think i'll try to just disassemble, shave off a bit of the cat, and then reassemble, maybe it'll be easier now that the parts have had a few miles to jiggle around a bit and "wear in"..

Thanks for the advice, guys.