I have a small hole due to rusting right before the muffler, and it is also a little rusted near what I believe is where the catalytic converter is, it is a bulge in the exhaust pipe with vents on the bottom, towards the front of the car. I was hoping it was just the muffler that was making the car louder, but it's not, so does the whole thing have to be replaced, and if so, how much will it cost me?Car:1990 honda civic EX sedan 1.6L (probably original exhaust system due to condition)
The exhaust system is pretty thin and weak when holes start developing in it like that. If the metal around the hole feels pretty strong when you press around the hole, you could attempt to muffle the sound with heavy heat resistant insulator and hose clamps, but this is really hillbilly and temporary, and it'll only muffle the sound some if it works. You probably need a new exhaust system. Not cheap.
My suggestion would be to buy sections of pipe from a parts store if you don't want to replace the whole thing. If your whole exhaust is rotted out, this wont work. As for those vents, you could probably do away with them and it wouldn't negatively affect the car. If it gives you too much back-pressure, remove the catalytic converter. You'll have to put it back on before you take it to get inspected though, or they'll fail you. You could also just cut the top off the converter, remove the innards, and then weld the top back on so it looks like a converter's there and that'll be less maintenance for you. If you do that, save the innards and sell them when scrap metal prices go back up. You'll get a pretty penny for that stuff.
take it to a muffler shop you can trust. they will know when they see it. I say a shop you can trust, because midas is just going to sell you an entire new exhaust system. Thats why they have gaurentees, they dont repair, they just replace.
