Thread: Exhaust Leak, Needing new Converter & Resonator

2000 Grand Prix GT.
220,000 miles.

A couple weeks ago I replaced an old rusty o2 sensor (downstream) and it took some elbow grease. Turns out I put a nice gap between the converter and resonator when kicking and pulling to get the old sensor loose. The result is a big bad exhaust leak. I fixed it with exhaust cement putty stuff which held for a few weeks but is really starting to fall apart now.

Anyways, shop tells me they can't splice it with a new pipe because of too much rust on the converter and resonator but they will let me bring my own parts. I am only trying to get 6-18 months out of this car before it's time to sell/scrap.

So, my first question is if I can safely go with the cheapest resonator and cheapest converter found on RockAuto and expect (mostly the converter) to last 6-18 months. My second question is how the resonator attaches to the rest of the exhaust. Shop told me it bolts on but it doesn't look that way to me. Thanks!

the resonator does bolt on on one end. you can see from this picture.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K...ew?usp=sharing

here is another picture that shows the resonator better.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K...ew?usp=sharing

if you havent bought the catalytic converter yet and want an oem one I have that I've had since I put headers on. it is in good shape as far as I can tell, and would need to be welded in. if you are interested, I will take some pictures.

I'll consider it, thanks SgtMarshal.

I know the resonator bolts on to the converter with the flange at the front end but I'm concerned about how it attaches to the rest of the exhaust on the rear end. My exhaust is rusty, if it needs to be welded they might make me replace the rest of the exhaust too... See what I mean?

you can get the whole catback minus the converter, resonator, mufflers for 120 if you just get a single pipe back, check it out:

http://www.mandrelexhaustsystems.com...rand-prix.html

That seems illegal, no? That would basically replace the converter & resonator all the way back to the mufflers, right?

your car won't pass emissions without a converter, and if you don't run a resonator, your car will be loud and sound horrible.

That's what I thought. I don't want to go that far.

I'm really just curious if the cheap-o converters will be good enough for 6-18 months and how the resonator attaches to the rest of the exhaust at the rear end.

you might be able to crawl under and look up at it, that would be the best way I could recommend.

Yeah, I'll probably do that. I don't have welding equipment so if it's welded I might be screwed. Any recommendation on the cheap converters?

Thanks for the offer ItHurtz, I'll consider it. That will only save me money if they want to replace everything behind the resonator, which they may.

So just to disclose, this is what I ended up ordering, will be taking it to the local shop to have them install. Thanks again for everyone's help!

Walker 54627
Dynomax 31532
Walker 35352
Walker 31605
Walker 21383