I just had to put my catalytic converter back on my formerly straight piped exhaust to pass inspection. The exhaust is much quieter now and I miss the way it used to sound. If I dump it over the axle, I'm hoping it will echo off the ground and make it a little louder. I read on other forums that I could possibly melt the rear brake line. Has anyone had trouble with this?

Also, the exhaust smells much different now that the cat is back on and the smell is very noticeable in the cab. Is this normal?

 

The inspection is done, right? Now go take it back off!!!!!!!!! Get back that whistle which is rightfully yours!!!!!

 

If you smell exhaust in the cab i would bet you have an up or y pipe leak. One good way to tell is close windows and turn on the heat or air and see if you smell the fumes if you do then odds are you have a leak somewhere . Oh i grew up in Norfolk and don't miss the inspections at all, in TN no inspections at all .

 

I tried driving with the windows closed and there was no smell so its not an up pipe leak. I hate driving with my windows up though. I was hoping to avoid future trouble by just leaving it on, but between the smell and lack of sound I think I might end up pulling it back off.

 

Are you smelling diesel exhaust in the cab? Or something else? Possible something got into the cat, or something spilled on it while it was in storage?

 

I used some pb blaster on one of the pipes to get it loose so maybe its burning that off. But like I said, the truck had this smell when it was stock, then went away when I straight piped it. It just seems stronger now, maybe I got used to not smelling it so that's why it seems worse now.

I felt all the connections where the pipes meet and I don't see or feel any exhaust leaks. For the most part the smell is only when sitting in traffic or idling.

 

If you have an exhaust leak...look for soot. It will be on just about anything in the path of it's escape....and will be around the actual leak area; may need a bright light & mirror for the backside of the engine.

But you haven't exactly said it smells like diesel exhaust...

 

PB smells bad when burnng!