Exhaust replacement on 2007 XC70 Topic is solved

XC70Rider · Post by **XC70Rider** » 14 Apr 2019, 08:42

After dropping the 12 year old exhaust system to remove the driveshaft I was able to see it's time for replacement. After searching for nearly a week I've narrowed it down to this:

>Schultz SS Direct Fit CAT $283

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Schultz-Direct ... 2992455269

>Northeast Catback $248

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-2007-XC70 ... 1437136446

The total comes to only $530 on ebay. With the CAT being SS I feel it will outlast the life of the wagon. The catback is aluminized so I'll spray it with VHT ceramic based exhaust primer & paint. I spayed the aluminzed exhaust on my son's 2000 6SPD Maxima 5 years ago and it remains rust free here on the salted roads of the Northeast.

The only other direct fit CATs I could find are Volvo, Snaab, Walker, and Eastern. I've read that the Volvo replacement exhaust doesn't last as long as the factory installed exhaust. The SS Snaab CAT costs $636. The aluminized Walker and Eastern CATs are the same price as the Schultz SS CAT.

Any members who have replaced their OEM exhaust please give your experience and opinions.

EngineeringBloke · Post by **EngineeringBloke** » 14 Apr 2019, 09:41

Nice find. Good luck. Sadly, I don't see those for my S60.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 14 Apr 2019, 09:50

The exhaust from the cat back is poor when buying Volvo replacement. But the downpipe and cat I don't think I've ever heard fail for anyone, not structurally anyway.

XC70Rider · Post by **XC70Rider** » 14 Apr 2019, 18:30

Rattnalle wrote: ↑14 Apr 2019, 09:50 The exhaust from the cat back is poor when buying Volvo replacement. But the downpipe and cat I don't think I've ever heard fail for anyone, not structurally anyway.

The flex section on the downpipe is strong. To get the driveshaft off I let the exhaust hang nearly a foot from the rear putting stress on the downpipe. The flange were the CAT and resonator mate is rusted away. If our CATs normally last over 200k I might cut off that flange and slide on strait exhaust pipe.

Post by **oragex** » 14 Apr 2019, 19:22

The problem is usually that flange after the cat, and also the two rear hangers. The hangers are available at Fcpeuro.com

To fix that flange, grind the surface to remove some material to bring it flat again, and install new gasket and bolts (may as well replace the securing nuts at the intake manifold, just the nuts, not the studs). The problem is the flange after the cat gets eaten at the bottom and makes a gap. Just need to resurface it

Those links are cheap products, don't be surprise to find a hole after 6 months or so. Plus, the aftermarket cat converter is very cheap, will probably throw a check engine light and not pass inspections, not to mention the bracket may not fit properly.

XC70Rider · Post by **XC70Rider** » 15 Apr 2019, 06:52

oragex wrote: ↑14 Apr 2019, 19:22 The problem is usually that flange after the cat, and also the two rear hangers. The hangers are available at Fcpeuro.com

To fix that flange, grind the surface to remove some material to bring it flat again, and install new gasket and bolts (may as well replace the securing nuts at the intake manifold, just the nuts, not the studs). The problem is the flange after the cat gets eaten at the bottom and makes a gap. Just need to resurface it

Those links are cheap products, don't be surprise to find a hole after 6 months or so. Plus, the aftermarket cat converter is very cheap, will probably throw a check engine light and not pass inspections, not to mention the bracket may not fit properly.

I have restored exhaust flanges with high grit grinding plates and wire brushing but this is near the end of it's life. I might try cleaning it with a stiff wire brush and see if it clears up the bolts enough for extraction.

The resonator pipe hanger and muffler hanger seemed to appear in fair shape.

Another negative factor is the top side of the muffler is badly corroded. The bottom side must be plated with SS. With the exhaust hanging I could wire brush the top side of the muffler then spray with ceramic exhaust primer.

I know the exhaust on ebay isn't high quality. I sent a message to Schutlz to get more information on the SS CAT.

For the catback I may purchase Bosal. I could also buy it locally at a shop for $500. That shop offers a lifetime warranty but it's cheap crap that won't last more than 2 years.

Post by **oragex** » 15 Apr 2019, 10:14

That looks indeed fairly worn. I had to replace my flex downpipe two times and repair the flange after the cat. From this experience, if I was to do it again, I would go with a used genuine exhaust off Ebay, perhaps a unit from a southern state such as Florida. The aftermarket replacement exhausts vary widely in quality (same for the cat converter), even the replacement sold by the main dealer seems to last very little. The original parts were very long lasting in climates without winters/salt

Worth mentioning the flex downpipe is welded to the converter and not easy to replace separately because it must be welded back in place perfectly at the same position, or the flex pipe will stay under stress and start leaking soon. This is why I would be a little worried with aftermarket parts - I now run an aftermarket flex+car and the bracket was badly placed.

XC70Rider · Post by **XC70Rider** » 17 Apr 2019, 11:49

For the catback I just ordered Bosal:

Bosal 235-143 $253

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exhaust-Muffle ... 2584809153

Bosal 282-909 $105

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exhaust-Resona ... 2561326626

It's aluminized so I'll add on VHT exhaust primer and paint to slow down the rust.

As Orange mentioned the catback I listed in post 1 is cheap crap that won't last long.

I was thinking of trying Starla but FCPEURO only sells their rear muffler. I want the center and rear mufflers to be same brand.

XC70Rider · Post by **XC70Rider** » 17 Apr 2019, 11:56

For a direct fit CAT I ordered A1Exhaust for $184

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-2003-To-2 ... 2776121869

The CAT is SS and the pipes are 14 gauge aluminized steel.

The CAT made by Greenexhaust costs $175 and appears identical to A1 exhaust

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-2003-To-2 ... 3337580161

They both are made in Ontarioa, SS CAT, and 14 gauge aluminized steel pipe. I decided to get the A1exhaust because they offer a 5 year warranty and are a more active seller on ebay.

Not getting the Schutlz SS CAT I listed in the first post becuase they won't communicate.

After I drop the OEM exhaust I'll cut off the CAT and keep the downpipe. The flex section and manifold mounting flange are in good shape. If needed for future usage I'll weld on a universal CAT.

XC70Rider · Post by **XC70Rider** » 17 Apr 2019, 12:09

To let you know the Magnaflow 23005 and 49738 direct fit CATs won't fit the 2.5T. Distributors do claim they fit my 2007 XC70 2.5T but after talking directly with Magnaflow they summarized they only fit 2.5L non turbo without AWD. The downstream O2 sensor will hit the driveshaft.