For some time now my exhaust has been getting louder and louder everying week and I figured it was my CAT because its old and kinda rusty. So this summer I was planning to change it out, but I dont think thats the issue. A few days ago after changing my plugs I decided to see if I could find out where the loud exhaust noise was actually coming from. So I finish putting my NGK plugs and and start her up, then I walk back to the engine compartment and push the throttle in a few times to warm her up and see EXHAUST SHOOTING UP FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD! I swore like crazy praying its not my exhaust manifold...

I inspected the piping some and did NOT see anty cracks, however the gasket that is between the exhaust manifold and downpipe looked quite nasty and I felt down there. It seemed the exhaust was shooting out from there. I hope I'm right, and tomarrow I'm having it checked out in town at the shop. Any thoughts?

This scares me because I just bought my nitrous kit, and if my manifold is shot I'm screwed...no $1000 in my pocket. :(

I thought it was some kind of metal donut in the connection between the manifold and the exhaust pipe, not just a gasket.

That packing materiel is cheap and easy to install. You're lucky. It'* not uncommon for it to try to escape. It'* freaking HOT in there. You'd want out too!

Replacing the gaskets is easy. i helped my friend with the chevelle replace his after his header blew off. ya, blew off. he was running to much hp and shot the bolts right out and into the inside wheel fender. his car is a beast. the gasket was about $10 at auto zone and took about 5 min. to install as soon as the car cooled down.

We're talking about the donut in the rear manifold to downpipe union. Not the header/manifold itself. Am I right Allmachtige?

This just happened to my Boss at work with his 95 Buick Riv (SC). Took him 15 minutes to replace.

You're right. From how I saw the exhaust shoot up it kinda flew up at a diagonal motion to the left, totally straight, but not like a puff. More of a streem, thats why I'm leaning more towards a "donut" connection issue.

Ok good, it was the donut ring. The rest of the exhaust from the cat back to the muffler is being redone tomarrow (long story) as well. So my exhaust will finally be done (except for CAT, which may be cut out...I know, I know).