Exhaust mystery ( inputs needed)
 

I need your help on this one
The exhaust pipe coming from the drivers side cat (its a 96) is for some reason going too low and too close to the engine crossmember.

My first thought was collapsed engine mounts, but they seems firm and strong, both when we did a torque test with the car standing still and checking them with a pry bar up on a lift.

Could the cat come from another kind of LT1 car? Or some bracket got mounted wrong somewhere?

As I bought the car this way, I’m clueless so ANY inputs are most welcome

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...848a6dcd9.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...9f306b5e8.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...5ca19eab0.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...5576da70e.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...837a72dc2.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...061cf1224.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...94fbc377a.jpeg

wow, my 93 crossed over behind the oil pan. almost looks like someone replaced that pipe and got it a little wrong or something got bent. have you checked the shop manual to see if its stock?

Hi Craby!
Thing is that the pipe hanging down and onto the cross memb is a part of the drivers side cat, what you see in pict #1 and #2 is one exhaust component

I have been thinking on if the trans mount some how could have compressed itself, because lifting the rear on the trans makes it look more normal, the trans mount seems to be unbroken though if you test it with a pry bar

Forgot to mention that I did put a leveler on top of the engine which did show its leaning a bit backwards which could indicate the trans sitting a bit low at the end, this depending on how well the engine is leveled of course

Another thing is when looking on the bolts between the cat and exhaust manifold at pict #1, it looks like they have been sitting there for decades.

Also you may notice the oil pan has been taking a hit, might be some knucklehead trying to lift the car using the pan as a lifting point

I upload some picts from a 97 I found on the net as comparison (below picts NOT my car)

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...46db26fe00.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...981266d473.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...1f7c1edfec.jpg

the motor mounts will allow the front to sag 1/4 inch or so over long time. I replaced mine and it did raise the front a bit. trans mount is stock? not a poly?

I think all three likely are stock kind, not poly as the engine moves normal being torqued and the trans I can see is rubber

Was thinking I could measure the height on the trans mount, seems it should be 47mm (1.85') acc to spec on new ones, if it has compressed itself replace it, and if not put a spacer in-between to lift enough for the contact with the exhaust and engine cross member to cease

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...2b76f3c9b.jpeg

Been thinking on replacing all three, but as they hold torque so well and are not broken otherwise (pry bar test) , its seems an unnecessary expense, besides after market components not seldom disappoints you these days..

trans mount gets pulled up more then down,,,, at least mine do lol if rear of trans goes up the front of engine should go down.

Yes correct, but when we pushed the end of the trans upwards, we could see the exhaust move away enough from the crossmember to loose contact, and that is my primary goal as its likely a comfort killer, plan is to get under there sometime soon to measure the height of the trans mount, and possibly also put in a spacer of some kind between the trans mount and trans crossmember to make it lift slightly more

Still curious though how it has become as it is on my car, if it had been smacked for ex and the whole powerplant moved forward, but then the mounts should have been broken

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/camarof...11470117f5.png

right, almost looks like something is bent. I see its been towed using that hole. can see where hook stretched it