porsche2fst4u

I found a 3.2 catalytic converter with heat shield and exhaust muffler for my '85 Targa. Any idea what I should expect to pay to have it installed onto my Porsche?

Currently it doesn't have a catalytic converter and the exhaust muffler looks to be from autozone plus it had some small holes in it.

cashmancab

It's a DIY job if so inclined. Cost is penetrating oil, Dremel bits for when the penetrating oil doesn't work and 2 - 6 hours (first time) pending the amount of time you waste with penetrating oil before you realize you should have just cut off the bolts off from the beginning . New bolts and sore back if you are laying on the floor. If yours bolts come off easy (which they most likely wont), It's an hour to 1 1/2" hour job if you've done it a couple times. I can do my muffler only in about 45 mins.

I would expect a real shop to charge maybe 1 1/2 - 2 hours labor plus new hardware. They won't dick around with rusty bolts and will cut them off immediately if they are seized.

Good luck.

JQ911

Cost me $80 to have my fabspeeds installed before so maybe $150 plus the cat for you.

porsche2fst4u

I definitely don't have the tools to attempt the job myself.

Thank you both for your insight!

rusnak

It depends on where you are located. I could find a Porsche mechanic who would have it done for probably less than $100 plus the cost of gaskets and bolts. It's definitely not a difficult job.

theiceman

its an hour labour.

porsche2fst4u

I called my local Porsche repair shop and they said labor would come out between $400 and $500. A couple of porsche friends think the repair shop misunderstood the work needed. I decided to give it a go myself and I was able to remove 4 bolts/nuts allowing me to remove my muffler (though I kept it on for now). I made my own penetrating oil using 50/50 Acetone and ATF. It worked great for the 4 bolts. Not so well for the nuts where the catalytic should go. The two nuts I tried to remove got stripped. Next I'm going to try a propane torch to heat up the nuts.

cashmancab

Re-read post #2 . Try the heat, I wouldn't waste too much time if it doesn't work and then grab your favorite cut off tool. Good luck.

porsche2fst4u

If I use my Dremmel tool to cut off the nuts, I just have to hammer the bolts out?

theiceman

Yup this is a common mistake with exhaust work. People will spend hours saving 5 bucks worth of nuts and bolts. You ideally should have not used either heat or penetrant You want the bolts to shear off so you can pop em out.

But yes you can zip em off no problem

Take a pic or make note of which direction the nuts and bolts go in. I can't remember why now but I do remember having an "ah ha" moment

To be fair I had an impact gun but snapped them all off in 10 minutes and had the exhaust and cat bypass off

rusnak

Grab two wrenches, and turn them to snap the bolts.

JCP911S

That's what my wife told me last night.

Any advice?

JCP911S

Seriously, I don't know where you live, but check you emission laws.

IMHO, if it is legal, just get rid of the cat. It is expensive, and really kills performance.

I'm a committed preservationist, and am not promoting irresponsible behavior, but I don't think a cat-free 3.2 driven on weekends is going to destroy life as we know it.

A well-tuned exhaust system on these cars really does work.

porsche2fst4u

I live in Texas where having no cat has never given me a problem at inspection. I'm definitely considering your suggestion.

porsche2fst4u

Lol, I walked right into that one.