"I don’t like to replace parts before it is necessary,"

And neither do I. The problem is that necessity often pops in for a visit at the most inconvenient times. Only you can judge if the piece of mind of a new exhaust system is worth the price of admission.

If it's a car which will be used for out of town trips or must be counted on for daily service, I would renew the system from stem to stern before the snow and slush are ass deep.

Rich Near Pittsburgh

I would use it until it fails.
Dan

Down-pipe exterior shows some severe material cavitation in that photo.

So the down-pipe output is welded directly to the cat. converter input?

Secured to the bracket that secures to the bell-housing bolts? You better support that exhaust piping weight!

If the cat converter substrate looks good inside the cat converter, and is not clogged, and your 240 passes emissions test if you have to in your state, and the housing is strong, cut the connection with the failing down pipe at the weld, ream or file, perhaps use a sleeve between the two and reweld the connection with the new down-pipe.

Starla or the other brand that I forget all the time. Don't use what Midas/Meinekeye or the other nation brand foists on you. Or Volvo OEM. Forget the other after-market brand.

Remember, go to the junkyard or the dealer! Get the hardware tyhat secured to the downpipe end and the bracket on the passenger side bellhousing to carry the downpipe and cat converter weight! Also grounds the exhaust at the point, so the oh-two sensor works better


Research grounding the exhaust system for wet, icy, and snowy (and salty) places like you Kings in New England.

cheers,

Bastards in the PacNW
--
Wacky, WACKY, WACKINGTON state!!!!!!