Hi guys. Long time no type...


Recent background:
I just had my truck's engine rebuilt. I had hope to make it while longer but a piston gave up. The block and heads were worked over. I have new 0.020 overbore pistons, and reworked or replaced all other pieces and parts.

Some time before this rebuild, my cat converter had a meltdown (probably the original unit), had I just banged it's guts out and reinstalled.

I'm no thinking about replacing the exhaust from the cat back as well as replacing the converter. We don't have emissions inspections here in AL but who knows when I might move to a place that does. I'll probably do the converter myself as the shop that was recommended to me here in B'ham wants ~$250 to do the converter. They want ~$250 for a custom cat-back 2-1/4" exhaust.

From what I've read here and elsewhere, I think 2.25" pipe is adequate without going too large, causing excessive gas expansion and slowing of the exhaust velocity... blah blah blah...
They use Dynomax products and so that would be the brand of muffler installed.

I think replacing the cat will prevent gasses from expanding in the current empty space and then being forced back into a smaller area (pipe).

Do you know of a high quality, decently affordable converter? What do you think about a high flow unit?

My exhaust manifold guards had to be removed because the bolt holes were worn to too large diameter to be held by the bolts and washers. Do you think I should reinstall them with larger washers to prevent premature exhaust cooling at that point in the exhaust?

PS- The shop (Columbus Engine and Crankshaft) that rebuilt my engine is located in Columbus, MS, and came highly recommended by another highly reputable shop in Columbus, MS (Import Doctors). They seem to have done a superb job. Time will tell, but I have been pleased for the first 600 or so miles. If you are interested in these shops, I've got contact information. They charged me a reasonable +/-$2600 (can't recall exact amount). It is more like a remanufactured engine than a rebuilt one given the level or work and diagnostics they performed. They did everything "in-house". We'll see how it goes...