Hello Guys, I was passing few cars on a hwy and I heard a loud pop, then the exhaust went really loud. Pulled over and did some checks, no spark plug shoot out, no CEL. figured it might be the catalytic converter from the loud exhaust note and way less power output. Since there was no CEL, I drove back home in the 6th gear going at 45mph, keeping the rpm below2k, so it isn't too loud for the fellow drivers. On my way home , the CEL came up ; didn't get a chance to read it yet. assuming it is the catalytic converter, what are my options? Don't want to spend $1k for a new cat. is it repairable ? Btw, this is an 05' MCS with few power mods and a tune making around 200 hp at the wheels. 110k miles on it. Thanks

 

You have a few options. Buy a used header for $200. Buy a new header for $1000. or take it to an exhaust shop and have it welded up. This happened to me 10 years ago and I just welded it up. and it lasted a few years until it developed a crack somewhere else and I replaced it with a used one.

 

On the plus side, there are several R53s being parted in the marketplace!

 

Likely broke right at the cat, mine did that a few time, welded it up, lasted awhile. Finally ended up getting this $ , love it.

Nik

 

I went with a used oem, might have to come off to be properly welded which by then, unless you're doing it all yourself, just makes more sense to get a used one.

 

hi socalr53

i had my OEM header crack at 58k. brought it to my mechanic and he took it out welded it. worked great and passed Mass emissions inspections. bought milltek header. would like to sell it. let me know if any interest and i can send photos if interested. thanks

 

sell the OEM header i mean

 

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I finally got a chance to get under the car and take a look of the header. it broke apart badly. dunno if this is can be welded back; going to check with my local muffler shop. picture attached

 

That can be welded, mine broke there once too....

Nk

 

It would be regular argon blend and mild wire, but I would weld that for you if you were in this neck of the woods.

 

Thanks again guys for the replies!

I spoke with my local muffler shop. He is ready to do the whole thing, taking out the header welding and put it back for $200
or if I bring him the broken header, he will weld it for $45

how hard is pulling it out and putting it back on?
is it worth doing the pulling out and install work myself to save $155 ? I have done similar work on a 4 cyl bmw long time ago and it was a pain to put it back as I remember.

 

If you were going to install a different header yourself anyway, I'd say to save the $155.... But I tend to be cheap.

 

Update:
I went ahead and pulled the broken header from the car over the weekend. It was a piece of cake. I was done with the work in less than an hour . That includes jacking up the car, removing the oxygen sensors and the cleanup etc
Will keep this thread updated when I get the header from the shop after the weld

 

did you follow a how to guide on taking it off?