I have been having some power issues and a terrible sound in my exhaust so I finally decided to get an estimate to check it out. I figured there was a hole or something somewhere. Low and behold, there was. Except it wasn't some place easy.

Accoriding to the guy, my y-pipe (he called a crossover pipe) is split just before it connects to the catalytic converter. He said it was too close to the cat to weld and the split was a pretty good size. That would explain why I have no backpressure...

My question you all is if the guy is given me accurate information and what you guys recommend I do. He said that this problem could eventually cause my cat to go and have to be replaced. Here's the pricing they gave me to fix this:

Crossover Pipe ----------$326.56 ----$88.00 labor
GM Exhaust Hardware ----$13.50 -----$46.00 labor
Exhaust Hardware -------$5.95
Gasket ------------------$24.75

With taxes and everything it worked out to be $516.01 to fix this. I am on a limited budget since I am a college student still. Any recommendations from you guys would be great, thanks!!!

Chris

EDIT:
It is the car I have in my signature, 3.1L V6...

 

Find another shop. Like one that will fix what's wrong and not try to rip you off for unneeded work.

 

Yeah, or if worst comes to worst, just go onton Summit's page and buy a new y-pipe. They're pretty cheap and they bolt in. Just have to weld the cat back on.

 

thanks for the help guys...

so do you think i need the other parts and gasket? or is that hard to tell since you have not seen the damage.

i am going to have one of my buddies take a look at it for me. ill try to get some pictures if that will help more.

 

you most likely will need the hardware but the labor to put the y pipe on is the only labor you should pay. i don't know if the 3.1 uses gaskets but if so then yes you need them. quoting labor on hardware is foolish that is something you do when replacing a y-pipe and shouldn't cost anymore. i work at a dealerdhip and you have to remember the parts are always cheaper if you buy them yourself. shops dealers and almost everyone else mark the price of parts up to make them more money.

 

From an exhaust perspective, I find it hard to believe it can not be welded - It's not a part under stress or in a dynamic environment.

Someone wanted to get some weekend beer money from you -

 

that was my gut feeling with it which is why i brought the issue to the forums. im def going to have someone i TRUST look at it. ill put some pics up next week when my friend comes back from the shore, hes got the jack.

people i have talked to said the same thing that they find it hard to believe it just cant be welded

 

i have duel cats on my car and i had to weld the flowmaster pipe on right at the cats. so unless it split on the body of the cat someone that is good with a welder should be able to help you.

 

thats great news. from what i know, the cat is perfectly fine. thanks!

 

update: i shopped around and went to this one ship. at first they told me they were unable to look at my car since they were expecting appointments. but then i told them my situation with with the other shop and the guy was in disbelief that it couldnt be welded. so he threw my car up on the lift and was very irritated that this other shop told me they could not weld it. they welded and saved me about $450. thanks for the help guys

guess you could say this issue has been resolved!

 

That's great to hear, I was just about to chime in that I had the exact same problem and it was welded up in 5 minutes and lasted without any issues.

 

And let me guess... That is the shop your going to start going to?... I know i would... I would never go to the other shop... When i come a crossed people like the second shop you went to i alway come back to them.. If they help me out im going to help them and give them business.

 

absolutely!