2 catalytic converters -- causing problems with catback installation

[houndrunner]

Noob question, please bear with me and don't roast me online. Thanks.

My CEL went on -- need new catalytic converter. I have a 2-catalytic converter truck so they both need to be changed. Muffler is in bad shape so that's gotta go as well. I'm told by the shop that they can pick up a full exhaust setup, including both cats, for around $800, but asks if I want to put anything else on instead if I can find something better. I figure this is my opportunity -- I find a set of two cats on Ebay for around $215, and I can get a Borla catback system (part 14659) for $600 with tax and shipping. Sounds good, right? The Borla site says the straight pipe from the cat to the muffler will need to be trimmed, but that's no biggie... I thought.

I know that pipe needs to be cut, but the flanges on both the end of the cat and the end of the straight pipe are male-male -- they don't hook up to one another. (Pics attached.) The old exhaust piping and flange is bad, so that's also not an option. Has anyone else experienced this problem, and if so, what was your workaround? The shop is currently waiting on another flange that will hopefully work. I'm wondering if welding is the solution, but the shop doesn't weld. I'm hoping I'm not shit outta luck.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rancho5]

I am NO exhaust expert, at all. In fact, I had to have a friend bolt on my new Gibson catback, which I love. Anyway, I'm under the impression that any decent exhaust shop would weld. Isn't that what they do? When we needed a longer elbow for the Gibson install because the PO screwed things up, the exhaust shop down the road mandrel bent me a nice one. Again, not an expert, but I'm thinking any reputable exhaust shop could weld you up and send you down the road.

 

[houndrunner]

That's the thing, it's not a specialty exhaust shop -- just general auto repair. They've been great for everything else, but I failed to consider whether welding would be required and didn't think to ask. This is probably my fault.

 

[WhiteBoomer04]

Can you find a shop (very) nearby that can weld? Drive it there during the night, or get a dolly/trailer and tow it.

 

[houndrunner]

Quick update: guy at the shop is a hero. Salvaged the flange off the old muffler and had a neighboring shop weld it in to the straight pipe. Saved the day.