catalytic converter? geez , far away from home and usual mechanic ..... any ideas how much a repair like this will cost ? perhaps it can be just propped and welded back into place? any suggestions guys? thanks in advance

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For it to be hanging like that in front it looks like the bolts that hold the downpipe to the rear exhaust manifold may have come out. Look at the exhaust flange near the firewall and see if it has separated. If it has you'll need to get a gasket and a couple of bolts so you can reattach the downpipe to the exhaust manifold. There are also some rubber 'donuts' that suspend the exhaust system under the car. Make sure they are all there and attached to the hangers.

 

Looks like you had a new cat installed and the front welds broke, it can be welded back up but I wouldn't take it to the same place that installed the cat

 

Yep, now that I look at it again I see that is the tire and not the downpipe in front of the cat...

Edit: Okay - I just downed another cup of high octane java...

You might be able to (temporarily) fix it with a band clamp until you can get to a shop and have it welded.

 

it shouldn't be a big deal to fix. I'd ask for my money back at the place to installed it then have it fixed at another spot.
I bet it sounds like a real stock car now. LOL just reciently had mine replaced due to being clogged. Couldn't figure out how come the car wouldn't shift correctly until I had the convert cut out and then took it for a short drive around the block. Man it pull like a freight train and shifted flawlessly and LOUD.... lol : )

 

guys if only you could hear the noise this thing was making. i swear i thought three 18-wheelers were racing behind me. the scariest sound i've heard since i was a child. well , indeed i took it somewhere else and they got it welded back up the way it should be. I let em change the oil while they were at it. the welding / oil change / & labor hit me for $185 .... may be steep but im rollin smooth again so no complaints my way . thanks for takin the time to peep the post

 

Probably the same sound that I heard when the exhaust on my 87 IROC came apart at the back end of the cat. It's basically like running open headers at that point. Very loud and the new "exit" was right under the driver. Glad you got it fixed though.

 

I'm curious, could the cat be clogging up and allowed that to happen.

Did the shop that welded it, test it

 

chibi, good point ....... apparently not ...... ive noticed today while driving that the exact shaking symptom that started 3 weeks ago , has started again today. Im willing to bet its clogged up .....

can I get some recommendations on a good cat converter to get ? magnaflow? flowmaster ? what do you guys think? im just going to but it myself because the shops here in TX are charging way $500+ for the cat alone that I can order online for under $200. I appreciate your input

 

Stock replacements ARE expensive because the quality is much higher. With any aftermarket cat you are risking the p0420 code to illuminate.

If you are doing a full replacement, I would look into getting a downpipe to replace that horrible u-bend too.