I had a Plus8 and the cats (4) had clamps at either end. The entry/exit pipes had formed ends ( think of brake lines forming) and the clamps had gaskets to seal the joint. These were corroding, no leaks, but at some point would fail/leak. I started looking for options for when I would sort it. The clamp half towards the cat would need cutting off as the formed end prevented just sliding it off.
1. V-clamps to hold the cat to exhaust pipe together.
2. Cut the shaped ends off and use straight pipes connectors with Mikalors to seal the overlapped joint.
Exhaust paste used for both.
This was on a list of future proofing the car to keep it. I changed to a Plus Four so didn't go to the above options.
The cats were assumed original as no signs on sevice history of changes. The heat shields were failing so I made new with aluminium sheet and stainless cable ties. I did have an O2 sensor failure due to it's built in heater failing and a fault code triggering the MIL. My OBD identified which sensor ( downstream so not critical verses upstream). Got a replacement from Rimmers. I got my local MOT garage to remove the old one as it was seized solid, Oxy torch needed! They fitted my new sensor. MOT was well away but they did a quick once-over and nothing found. Emissions test with the new sensor was ok.
