OK I read all the post on here about the heat shielding. After checking it sounds like its coming from the catalytic converter. The only time it makes noise is when I doing 30 to 45 mph. When I'm in park it does it if the RPM's get up to about 3000. I alos noticed that the "Shield" on the outside of the cat is a bit rusted around the bends. I have no cel so I don't know if the "shield" can come off or not. I'm hoping that someone on here can help me.

I had the same problem. Turned out to be the heat shielding on top of the muffler. ItÆs only tack welded on each corner and over time the welds break loose.

When your Sportage has been sitting over night and your muffler is cold get under there and try lifting up near each corner. You'll probably find at least one corner is loose.

I had a muffler shop tack weld it a couple of times, but after a while it broke loose again and while doing 65 mph down the freeway the entire heat shield came off and went out the back. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> Luckily there was no one behind me.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Well after posting my question I went back out and lifted up the sporty.. It turns out it was the top section of heat shield right after the cat. Oh well.. no more heat shield rattle. hehe.
Took me about an hour and a few scraped knuckles to get it all off. After I got the top sections off (they came off easy) I used a small hack saw to cut through the clamps. A little bending to get the clamps around the pipe, then the rest came off easy..

I didn't see any heat shield over the muffler. must've come off before I bought my sporty.

No heat sheild on 98 sportage muffler <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

YES there is! See my post from above. I've got a 98.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Well my friend, maybe u did and maybe u did not...My 98 sportage purchased new DID NOT HAVE ONE.... over the muffler U.S. specs. <althogh close to the Canada Border> maybe that had something to do with it. Anyway, take that crap off cause it is not needed. And I realize that u outrank me on this site (so i'll just yeild). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

i would have said time for a combo 2.5 to 2.25 exhaust

Well I'm the second owner and from the day I got my sporty there wasn't one. With money being tight right now I'm doing as little as I can. Next year should be way better. I cna see it now.. Lift kit, Warn hubs, etc..etc