w124 booming exhaust

jeremy156

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W202 C200 (1999)
I have a 1995 E320 Coupe which exhibits a really prominent droning/booming sound, particuarly annoying at mid-revs / motorway speeds.

The car had a stainless steel noise-maker exhaust when I bought it, and that was one of the first things to go, replaced by a conventional mild steel exhaust that doesn't make me look quite such a kn*b.

Trouble is, having replaced middle and rear, I am still getting the booming noise (although thankfully without the boy racer farting noise). I went back to the exhaust fitter and we spent some time on his ramp experimenting, discovering that all the noise is coming from around the cat and the 2-into-1 pipe just ahead of it. Naturally, that's right under my seat, no wonder I'm getting the noise so directly!

Now.... is it likely that an old cat could cause noise here? Blocking flow and causing excessive back-pressure or something? What would be the view amongst those in the know regarding genuine (£1000+?) vs aftermarket (£200 fitted by Powerflow chap) vs bashing the insides out and re-fitting without the catalyst?

... or am I on completely the wrong track here? The downpipes appear to be original, not 100% sure about the cat itself.

Any advice appreciated,
Jeremy
 
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television

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If a CAT has been removed from a box and welded up again, it will act like a resonator increasing the sound and booming .
Is the car a 124 or early 210.
 
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jeremy156

jeremy156

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Hi Malcolm, it's a 124. No obvious sign of it having ever been taken off the car, but I'll try to take a closer look tomorrow.
 

television

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These are the system

The 103 and 104

ee6cc39bfd4617d5cbec95afd2aad006.png
 

DanF

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I replaced my cat (14 on pic) with one from BM cats 3 years ago or so and its been fine since. I believe you need it working properly for the emissions at mot but I might be wrong.
 

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