Huge exhaust rattles!!!

[snoopys240]

I'm sure this is probably it, but at around 3,000 rpm, I have a nasty rattle from the catalytic convertor or downpipe heatshield. Which do you think it is? I don't want to replace the cat before I sell it if I don't have to, and would rather just replace or remove completely the heat sheild. What do you suggest I do?

[MaineExport]

Mine rattled between 2000 and 3000 RPM... it was the heat shield. It had rusted about halfway off. When I installed my Apexi cat back.. I just used the grinder to cut it off... problem solved.

[Two-Forty]

what about being in high gear in low rpms

[snoopys240]

High gear/low rpms is when it's the loudest. Strong take offs and let-offs around the same rpm are terrible as well. I'm taking it off today. I'll let you know what happens

[240_Keyy]

cats, who needs em?

soon as I go home for christmas I am gutting mine out...

plus it rattles like a mofo just in the same range as you have described.

[topless@vabeach]

I havent been under my 240 SX recently but I thought the Heat Sheild went between the car and the Cat. Why would removing the heat shield make a difference if you park over grass? Last time I checked the purpose of the heat shield was to shield heat away from the underbody of the car. Any experts in this area?

[JNM240]

Because if you park on dry grass with an extremely hot catalytic converter with no heat shield, you 'could' start a fire under your ***!

[SpeedRacer1]

Also just tighten the crap out of all the bolts down there, or at least a little bit.

[snoopys240]

Took the heat sheild off the downpipe just up from the cat....Solved the problem!! No more annoying rattle. Thanks for your help.

[SpeedRacer1]

Well I wasnt refering to the heat shields. I dont have them anymore and the last three exhuast rattles were due to loose or missing bolts along the exhaust system (including the bolts that hold parts onto the car).

[GrubyFngaz]

Mine was rattling like that and it was the bolts from the cat. conv. that connect to the middle pipe of the exhuast, you might just want to check.

Josh

[Bay Dog]

Hey this is good to see. I have the rattle from hell as well. Heat shield coming off this weekend! Thanks!!!!

[karioth]

im kinda a newbie who is scared of breaking his car. I know what the cat converter looks like but last time i was under my car i dont remember seeing a heat shield around it, i have the same rattle problems that other people are describing, can anyone either approximate the location of the heatsheidl or take a pic of where i need to tighten it?