I have a rattling head pipe on my 240 (Support bracket rusted out). I took it to an independent shop here in town for an estimate. (Sorry...It was weak moment and I just didn't feel like dealing with it)

They informed me that I needed a new head pipe. No suprise there. They then informed me that I needed a new catalytic converter too. I said "huh?" They said there was a lot of rust and were worried that they couldn't seperate it from the head pipe. I said "huh?" I asked how much for the cat? They said $600. I said "huh?" After running them up and down they said that they just get the cat from the dealer (and in turn pass the ridiculous price to me). I said "no thanks...I'll come get my car." They said "huh?" :-)

Upon getting the car home I crawled under there. The cat looks in good shape. The only thing that is seriously rusted are the bolts attaching the cat to the head pipe. I ordered the head pipe, bolts, bracket, gaskets, and will do the job myself. I will cut the rusted bolts and put on new ones.

Am I missing something? These guys have always been honest and have had ample opportunity to rip me off on things that are impossible to check. So what's going on here. Maybe in Texas rusted bolts are scary? I dunno. Maybe it is better form to replace the cat and head pipe together? But I can get an aftermarket cat for ~$200! - probably less! No way I was gonna pay almost $1000 for this work.

-Ted