When I had a hole in the exhaust flex pipe some time ago, turns out the indi muffler shop welded a new one to the old cat... I don't currently have a clamp between the flex pipe and the catalytic converter. So must cut the weld, or wait until I can get a proper clamp setup.

Has anyone been able to replace the oil-side gaskets on the oil filter housing / oil cooler on an R56 S/JCW without removing the cat? I don't need to work on the turbo oil feed or return lines... and so don't need to remove the heat shield from what I understand.

 

I just did this a month ago, and it's impossible to do without removing the CAT. It must be removed.

 

Yea, its in the way and you have to remove the cat and those shields.

Here is the trusted DIY:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ispreloading=1

 

Here is a great visual guide as well. It's a N14, not N18, so it's not identical. But a great breakdown nonetheless.