Exhaust replacement on 2007 XC70 Topic is solved

[XC70Rider]

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.

I decided to purchase the Eastern 40597 CAT from rockauto for $288. It's alminuzed so I'll paint it just as I did for the bosal catback. I'll mount a new Bosch downstream O2 and re-install the 4 month old Bosch upstream O2 sensor.

Herman had good luck with Eastern for 30k miles before he sold his 2001 V70 XC.

On my old 2001 V70 XC I used an Eastern direct fit and for over 30k until it was sold I had no issues. The unit bolted up without any problems and if I recall it was under $200. Prior to the switch I did replace all the O2 sensors.

I'll refurbish the OEM CAT for future usage.

After I get it mounted in ~2 weeks I'll post pictures of the new exhaust.

[XC70Rider]

Here's the OEM catback I cut off.



No leakage before removal but it's day was coming. The rear hanging rods where rusted off and replaced with a bracket. Couldn't even save that replacement bracket.

[XC70Rider]

I'm saving the OEM CAT.



I tried restoring the rear flange but won't know if I'll need to cut it off and slide on 2.5" exhaust tube unless I try to install it again.

[XC70Rider]

The Eastern CAT and the Bosal catback all fit well.



Only drawback is the rod hangers on the center muffler aren't as long as OEM. No banging after 230 miles so it should hold.

[XC70Rider]

When I drove in rain I heard a loud squeal underneath. The next morning I loosened the 2 flange bolts and lowered the exhaust 1" to solve that issue. The resonator was too close to the driveshaft.

[Rattnalle]

Just curious. How much power do you expect to extract from your engines so that you feel the need for larger exhausts? If it's just for sound then catback or even just the rear muffler will get you quite far.

[XC70Rider]

I replaced the exhaust for preventive maintenance. The rear muffler insulation was cracked on top with fiberglass coming out. The flange after the CAT was going to break soon. The aftermarket exhaust is the same size as OEM so no power gains. Being aluminized it is ~25lbs lighter than the steel galvanized OEM exhaust.

[Rattnalle]

Fair enough. But some people mentioned replacing the downpipe as well. Sure the flange can get damaged but the downpipe itself takes a good while to rust away since it's quite thick.

[XC70Rider]

The downpipe is in good shape so I'm saving the OEM CAT. The flex section is accordion style with a braided wrap. The braided wrap is loose so I'll cut it off and replace with exhaust wrap to save the front driveshaft CV joint I just replaced.

If the Eastern direct fit CAT ever fails I'll remount the OEM CAT.

I'll bump this thread in 6 months showing pictures and conditions of the Eastern CAT and Bosal Catback.

[jnsluft]

Is there any reason that the above mentioned catalytic converters for a '03-'07 XC70 would not fit my '02 V70 XC?

Is there an actual physical difference, or is it just because of the model change from V70 XC to the XC70?

Thanks in advance,
Shawn