i am looking to upgrade my Catalytic Converter and muffler to Hi-flo or magna-flow style system, for a little breathing room for the wagon. besides the throatier sound, it should add a smidgen of horsies. here is my problem....

this has got to be the most unusual muffler and cat converter system i have ever seen. maybe because its my first volvo, i dunno. here is what it looks like: (also, the wetness you see, i think is due in part because of a moist night, and a car wash earlier in the day)
( all images are driver side, the link is to a view from pass side)

Exhaust manifold / downpipe, driver side (i was smart enough to edit my vin number out in ms paint before posting on the web >.&lt



downpipe / beginning of the cat conv (at least thats what i assume it is)


http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/2648/0114do.png

cat conv



end of cat conv, begin of exhaust pipe between it and muffler


http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/4070/0124wp.png

end of exhaust transfer pipe, front inlent pipe of muffler, muffler front view (this is just ugly)



side view of muffler, muffler mounting bracket


http://img438.imageshack.us/img438/5282/0139dz.png

mufler exhaust pipe to rear, front view



exhaust pipe from muffler to tip, rear view (note the old green shock for reference to next pic)



Closer Muffler exhauste pipe, rear view (note again the green shock on the left side of picture)



bottom of muffler (ground-facing plane)



now, what i have found on the web, for a higher flow / performance or sport orientated cat conv or muffler, have looked nothing like what i have. i ensured the proper model, year, and engine, but this is about all i have found, or similar products:

http://replacement.autopartswarehous...ue&showdc=true
http://www.partstrain.com/products/E...~VOLVO~850.htm
http://www.car-sound.com/catalog/universal/530.aspx
http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalytic...3576&year=1996

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/s...ne=main&id=301
http://replacement.car-stuff.com/par...howdc=true#top

i have a 2.4L 20V 5cyl 96 850 GLT wagon...

is the large ugly rus- tube-of-nasty just a protective cover for a style show like the links above, or is it just really that freaky?

 

Don't spend more than $125 for a free-flow ODB-II compliant catalytic convertor.

Dynamax appears to be ODB-II compliant...
http://www.discountconverter.com/news/obdii.htm
Many sellers of converters over the internet DO NOT USE OBD II compliant converters...so buyer beware!! Discount Converters, Ltd uses only OBD II approved converters in all so designated vehicles.

Magnaflow has introduced a new series of ODB-II compliant cat-converters.
http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/02converters.asp
Car Sound Exhaust System, LLC., the parent company of MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust is a world leader in the manufacturing of automotive catalytic converters. The production and design techniques of our catalytic converters contribute to Car Sound’s standing as the highest quality and best-valued products on the market.

http://www.car-sound.com/catalog/universal/430.aspx
MagnaFlow's California 43000 Catalytic Converters are the first series of a new line of converters designed for use on vehicles equipped with Second Generation On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) systems. They are designed, tested, and catalogued for specific vehicles. They are not traditional universal converters. These converters have higher efficiency than conventional strict California requirements for conversion efficiency and durability. These converters are warranted for 5 years or 50,000 miles on the converter body and 5 years on the performance of the internal catalyst, including replacement for OBDII diagnostic codes for low catalyst efficiency.

Dynomax, WLK-17223
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...rt=WLK%2D17223

You can buy flanges here...
http://www.turbo-performance.com/Pro...ll_flanges.htm
http://www.hahnracecraft.com/hahn/parts/install.htm
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/f...andgaskets.htm

You can buy pre-bent mandrel bends here...
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/mandrelbends.htm
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101
http://www.4customexhaust.com/components.htm
http://www.hedman.com/

Cat-back Exhaust System...
http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.as...57&NodeID=5233

 

would there be an issue if i used a turbo exhaust on my non turbo car?

also, is there somewhere i can look to see how many sensors i have on my converter, without having to take it off? ive looked in a chilton, at the library, and the extent of their instructions to remove the cat, is ... undo the bolts...take it off. not kidding, no real help from the repair bible.

 

At first glance, I would say not an issue. However, I have never compared the exhaust hanger locations between a turbo'ed and and non-turbo'ed car -- not sure if you would have fitment issues.

 

was looking at the magnaflow mufflers, and i noticed something, you can see in the pictures above. my muffler intake comes in one side, exaust out the other side. the mufflers i am seeing, come in one END , and out the other. starting to get the impression i will have to order the cat / muff myself, and take it to an exhaust orientated shop, so the piping can be welded and mounted. i dont have the skill or tools to weld custom exhaust tubing, or i would. actually, nobody i know can do it.

also, the cats on these websites, do not look to be the same size / shape as my factory. i expected to be a shape difference, but not to the point that it doesnt even look similar. my cat is literally about 2 1/2 , maybe 3 feet long. the cats in the thumbnails on these sites are either completely wrong, as in 1 part of a 2 part system (in which, if i have, they're both in the same protective casing, so i really doubt), or they appear really small, to an extent more custom piping will be needed.

 

CATALYTIC CONVERTER
5 Cyl - 2.4L - 850 MODELS WITH 10 VALVE ENGINE - EXC. TURBO

this is taken from

http://www.partstrain.com/products/C...VOLVO~850.html

i have the 20 valve, but the only offer these guys have for 20 valve, says exc 96 =/

would it matter?

i kind of like these guys, i just ordered the grille from em, they seem to have not bad pricing, compared to others on the web.

 

http://www.performancepeddler.com/SC...SERIES&sCtrl=Y

$54 sound right? i didnt think id ever say this about a volvo part, but that sounds really cheap

 

That is because they are universal. You will have to weld it in. They must be high performance.