is the cat. actually welded into the exhaust? i am getting ready to do a custom exhaust and wanted to know the skinny on what's down there. i haven't been under to look yet because of lack of garage but the weather has been really sunny so i'm probably going to do it in my driveway. pre-thanks!

Yes, the OE cat is welded. Go to Rodney dickman's home page, then look for the replacement cat he sells. I believe there are some pix of an OE cat as well as one of his replacements (which are installed with clamps).

The original cat is crap anyway. Any modern cat will flow much better, so you'll want to replace it anyway.

Just in case anyone was wondering about a straight pipe replacement for a catalytic converter for the 2.8, here is the perfect replacement.
Autozone offers a "resonator pipe" that is flared on both ends. This is the 2" ID resonator pipes. They offer several different sizes, and normally only have one in stock at at time. I don't have the part number right now though. This is galvanized I believe, and does not rust. Get the 2" exhaust clamps. (which will rust though). Total price locally is $6.01.

This is PERFECT size for the 2.8 cat. Get it first and compare so you know where to make your cuts. When I did mine, I just cut right outside the welds using an exhaust pipe cutter (that's the hardest part; expect 20 minutes of fun pipe cutting on each side), and it fit PERFECT.

The Fiero Store offers a "head pipe" which does the same function for $39.95. This pipe, however, goes all the way from the y-pipe to the end of the cat. No need for all that though.

Just thought I'd save you "track only" fiero owner's a couple of bucks.

If it's galvanized or "aluminized" it *will* start to rust before too long. Rodney's straight-pipe replacement is stainless steel.

quote Originally posted by crypto1079: Just in case anyone was wondering about a straight pipe replacement for a catalytic converter for the 2.8, here is the perfect replacement. Autozone offers a "resonator pipe" that is flared on both ends. This is the 2" ID resonator pipes. They offer several different sizes, and normally only have one in stock at at time. I don't have the part number right now though. This is galvanized I believe, and does not rust. Get the 2" exhaust clamps. (which will rust though). Total price locally is $6.01. This is PERFECT size for the 2.8 cat. Get it first and compare so you know where to make your cuts. When I did mine, I just cut right outside the welds using an exhaust pipe cutter (that's the hardest part; expect 20 minutes of fun pipe cutting on each side), and it fit PERFECT. The Fiero Store offers a "head pipe" which does the same function for $39.95. This pipe, however, goes all the way from the y-pipe to the end of the cat. No need for all that though. Just thought I'd save you "track only" fiero owner's a couple of bucks.

thanks guys! i plan on tearing all of my old exhaust off and building my own this weekend, i'll let you know how it turns out.