[DPM]

One of the main problems with the exhaust is that it does not move enough, if at all, with the engine. I posted a picture last month regarding this topic and I made temporary modifications to check my theory. Now my tailpipe moves with the engine, as it should. Eventually header bolts and / or the exhaust clamps start to work loose and you get pure exhaust leaks which apparently has lead to the fires recently posted or, as in my case, damaged shifter cables (they are plastic coated and melt) from turbo exhaust. My problem is completely gone since I dumped the muffler and catalytic converter. I plan on reinstalling them with a modification now that I know it works and that is to replace the CAT with a 3" flex pipe to handle the torque of the engine moving (I don't need it for track use). This should eliminate the problem entirely. Look at my O2 sensor cable that was melting from the exhaust before I made the change and that was without any rear panel.

Have someone rev the engine while you look at it from behind, the tail pipes hardly move. Take the car over a speed bump or a rumble strip and it's even worse as all the torque is transferrred to the fittings.

Just go back and pull up on the tailpipes with the engine off, they don't even budge! The stock system is way too ridged and poorly designed.

Another help would be a NACA duct with pipe directed into the exhaust compartment. The duct would probably be best from the top of the rear clam as most of the air around the wheel wells is probably dead air and wouldn't work too well.