Exhaust side sill heat and my debate

[catwood]

I have to mitigate the heat in the side sills up by the cats. Removing the cats is not an options for me. My debate is headers with high flow cats or just try to add additional insulation. Some of the insulation products I've found are nearly as much as the headers. I also plan to keep the stock mufflers. decisions, decisions........

[13COBRA]

Why are you insistent on keeping the catalytic converters? Just curious.

I'd go with headers and high flows over just adding insulation.

[ViperRich]

I have a 14 Gts and I went with the Belanger high flow single cat that resides in the engine compartment. I kept the stock mufflers and heat wrapped the entire exhaust from the cat to the tip, it is a hair louder but less resonance and has killed a ton of heat. I am very happy with how it turned out.

[catwood]

smog and smell. I didn't mean to imply keeping the stock cats if it came across that way. If I change exhaust, I'll go high flow cats.

[catwood]

I have a 14 Gts and I went with the Belanger high flow single cat that resides in the engine compartment. I kept the stock mufflers and heat wrapped the entire exhaust from the cat to the tip, it is a hair louder but less resonance and has killed a ton of heat. I am very happy with how it turned out.

no check engine lights? Metal or ceramic cat?

[ViperRich]

No check engine light no o2 spacers or anything im pretty sure they are ceramic type I orderd them from Jon B at Viper parts rack. Jon told me the metallic would be considerably louder than ceramic. In hindsight I'm sure I would have been ok with it a little louder without complaints. I just didn't want it to drone me into not enjoying the great sounding audio system.

[Special Ed]

I have the single high flow cat and Belanger muffler from JonB. I had them for almost two years. The heat on the sills has been reduced by more than 50%, discoloration of the sills has stopped. They are slightly louder, in a good way and don’t drone. They were installed without any additional heat wrap. I couldn’t be happier with the result.
There was a complete write up in the forums under something along the lines of “Stubbs Guy Exhaust.

[serpent]

I think this has been beaten to death and surprised you don’t know the answer to this catwood. There is no smell when you remove secondary cats. I removed mine as my first mod about 2 months in after ownership. Best mod to date because it removed heat. From what I’ve been told by dan cragin the sensor is after the first set of cats. Anything after that the sensor won’t detect and you should be able to pass smog. This is what dan told me per messages. I haven’t had to smog yet.

Again no smell, I drive with windows down in Nor cal, Bay Area. 2nd cats removed, pipe welded in place connected to ARH catback exhaust.

[SRT_BluByU]

Maybe just add a hear shield between pipes and sull

[catwood]

I think this has been beaten to death and surprised you don’t know the answer to this catwood. There is no smell when you remove secondary cats. I removed mine as my first mod about 2 months in after ownership. Best mod to date because it removed heat. From what I’ve been told by dan cragin the sensor is after the first set of cats. Anything after that the sensor won’t detect and you should be able to pass smog. This is what dan told me per messages. I haven’t had to smog yet.

Again no smell, I drive with windows down in Nor cal, Bay Area. 2nd cats removed, pipe welded in place connected to ARH catback exhaust.

Yeah, you'd think. I'll go pull some stuff to see if I can find the secondary sensor. I will have to smog the car once at least. I could wait until after that for the mods but the car is white and the heat is an issue that's being noticed. I really didn't intend to mod this one at all or at least not much as I think each project begats another project. The primary goal is heat reduction to the side sill - hinge cover and cost with no CELs. Yesterday I was thinking headers and high flow cats. Then it evolved into which cats and now maybe I do even less like just one cat per side and keep the rest OEM. I spoke with Todd at A&C and Lou Belanger and each have different opinions that make sense in an by themselves. Most of my experience on the exhaust side of things has been with a Gen 2. Things were simplier back then.

[serpent]

Yeah, you'd think. I'll go pull some stuff to see if I can find the secondary sensor. I will have to smog the car once at least. I could wait until after that for the mods but the car is white and the heat is an issue that's being noticed. I really didn't intend to mod this one at all or at least not much as I think each project begats another project. The primary goal is heat reduction to the side sill - hinge cover and cost with no CELs. Yesterday I was thinking headers and high flow cats. Then it evolved into which cats and now maybe I do even less like just one cat per side and keep the rest OEM. I spoke with Todd at A&C and Lou Belanger and each have different opinions that make sense in an by themselves. Most of my experience on the exhaust side of things has been with a Gen 2. Things were simplier back then.
I have never gotten CEL and have driven car aggressive at LS and didnt have issue.
There’s an instructor that isn’t a member on the forums but has a white TA. His sills are yellow because of the heat, still on stock exhaust. I told him he should remove the 2nd set of cats to alleviate heat.

Won’t pass smog with headers. Also need arrow engine controller with headers. Ur best bet is the route I went and just remove cats. The ARH cat back has drone, I think sticking with stock exhaust maybe be a better route just have good exhaust shop remove 2nd cats and weld pipe in place.
You’re in SoCal, I’d take it to A&C, probably a 1 hr or less job for them.

[ForTehNguyen]

get belanger exhaust with HF cats like I did. No CEL, no gas smell, pass OBD2 readiness fine, not using O2 spacers, not using any insulation product. Drone is a lot less now than factory, much less heat from side sills, and exhaust tips flush with the bezel are a real nice touch. No more drooly exhaust grime. I still have primary cats since I have stock headers. You can still get headers + exhaust with HFs since you wanted to go full aftermarket exhaust.

[Jack B]

I have to mitigate the heat in the side sills up by the cats. Removing the cats is not an options for me. My debate is headers with high flow cats or just try to add additional insulation. Some of the insulation products I've found are nearly as much as the headers. I also plan to keep the stock mufflers. decisions, decisions........

The problem you have is, there is no air space in the sills, the insulation, exhaust system and the sills are contacting each other. You can do everything you want, but, it is no where near as effective as removing the cats. When you remove the sills, you will see where the exhaust has burned though the insulation in some of the contact areas.

[catwood]

Yes, I think I agree with you Jack. I know on the other ones (G2)I was able to isolate the heat back to the exhaust pipe and cat (HF metal ones) I never had an issue with smog and it was easier to switch back and forth from a straight pipe to the cat pipe. in the searches I found that some got it fixed under warranty. I'm going to go visit my viper friendly dealer on Monday and have them look. I'm probably also going to order an extra set of hinge covers for the future.

[sharmut]

Tried wrapping the 2nd stock cat with heat shield on the passenger side (protection film was melting) as experiment. Didn't work, after the first session on track, the film continue to show more portions of the film melting. As Jack pointed out, it's the lack of air flow.

Ordered hi-flow cats from JonB, hope they will arrive next week. Originally wanted the metal substrate for it's durability but was told it was only available in ceramic for the Gen V. Hopefully this will end the sill heat issue and cross fingers with the CEL. Ordered O2 spacers in case.

[Steve M]

Tried wrapping the 2nd stock cat with heat shield on the passenger side (protection film was melting) as experiment. Didn't work, after the first session on track, the film continue to show more portions of the film melting. As Jack pointed out, it's the lack of air flow.

Ordered hi-flow cats from JonB, hope they will arrive next week. Originally wanted the metal substrate for it's durability but was told it was only available in ceramic for the Gen V. Hopefully this will end the sill heat issue and cross fingers with the CEL. Ordered O2 spacers in case.

If they are only available in ceramic for the Gen V, it is probably because the higher flowing metal substrate cats were throwing codes (they did on my Gen 4). I have a sneaking suspicion that they aren't as "high flow" as their name might imply, so hopefully they at least reduce your heat problems.

[Jack B]

If they are only available in ceramic for the Gen V, it is probably because the higher flowing metal substrate cats were throwing codes (they did on my Gen 4). I have a sneaking suspicion that they aren't as "high flow" as their name might imply, so hopefully they at least reduce your heat problems.

Like Steve said, HiFlo cats are all over the place. Go back to the thread from Prefix about his testing of the cats, it is eye opening.

[catwood]

Like Steve said, HiFlo cats are all over the place. Go back to the thread from Prefix about his testing of the cats, it is eye opening.

Yeah...I read that and the loss of 20 HP compared to the better flowing ones. Of course that isn't a comparison to stock.

[Topplayer]

Like Steve said, HiFlo cats are all over the place. Go back to the thread from Prefix about his testing of the cats, it is eye opening.

can you link this thread? I am having trouble finding it

[Special Ed]

Tried wrapping the 2nd stock cat with heat shield on the passenger side (protection film was melting) as experiment. Didn't work, after the first session on track, the film continue to show more portions of the film melting. As Jack pointed out, it's the lack of air flow.

Ordered hi-flow cats from JonB, hope they will arrive next week. Originally wanted the metal substrate for it's durability but was told it was only available in ceramic for the Gen V. Hopefully this will end the sill heat issue and cross fingers with the CEL. Ordered O2 spacers in case.

I have these hi-flow cats from JonB. I track my car a fair amount and have used them for about 1 1/2 to 2 years. Heat cut about 50% no CEL, everything about them is positive. I do have the arrow pcm, do not know if that makes a difference on the CEL's.

[ForTehNguyen]

there isnt a sensor downstream of the secondary cat so the car would have no way to know if it was there or not. Stock or Arrow wouldnt matter. Arrow disables rear O2 sensing anyways for people who run catless. Running stock PCM here with HF mains and no seconds, no CEL.

[Exhlr8n]

I put on Jon B's Hi-Flow Cats (Bellanger) on my ACR-E, stock cat back, like the others sill heat cut 50%, its so much better now. Sounds better too. I used O2 spacers. No CEL.
33734

[Martin]

I'm in the same debate mode. Anyone who lives in California and has had to get tested recently knows that the smog check techs are looking out for modifications of any kind. I never had these kinds of problems before, but now, they will go as far as to crawl under the car and look for CARB numbers on anything that doesn't look "right". I got failed recently for a K&N filter that didn't show up in their computer as an approved modification. At another supposedly sympathetic smog station, I got flagged and sent to a referee station because the car "sounded loud" and the tech couldn't visually see the exhaust system without taking the sills off - so instant fail. The CA smog NAZI patrol is in full force these days. I might just keep my second cat, but gut it out and see what happens.

[Steve M]

can you link this thread? I am having trouble finding it

https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/20561-ARH-Versus-Belanger-Headers?p=334245&viewfull=1#post334245

[Jack B]

can you link this thread? I am having trouble finding it

Do a search on Scot rickford's posts, the discussion was about low 9L hp versus exhaust system changes.

[Topplayer]

https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/20561-ARH-Versus-Belanger-Headers?p=334245&viewfull=1#post334245


Do a search on Scot rickford's posts, the discussion was about low 9L hp versus exhaust system changes.

thank you!

[serpent]

I'm in the same debate mode. Anyone who lives in California and has had to get tested recently knows that the smog check techs are looking out for modifications of any kind. I never had these kinds of problems before, but now, they will go as far as to crawl under the car and look for CARB numbers on anything that doesn't look "right". I got failed recently for a K&N filter that didn't show up in their computer as an approved modification. At another supposedly sympathetic smog station, I got flagged and sent to a referee station because the car "sounded loud" and the tech couldn't visually see the exhaust system without taking the sills off - so instant fail. The CA smog NAZI patrol is in full force these days. I might just keep my second cat, but gut it out and see what happens.
What will they find? the only part tha'ts exposed is the header transitioning into a single pipe. The secondary cats are hidden. They would have to unbolt the panel to see.

[ViperGeorge]

I'm in the same debate mode. Anyone who lives in California and has had to get tested recently knows that the smog check techs are looking out for modifications of any kind. I never had these kinds of problems before, but now, they will go as far as to crawl under the car and look for CARB numbers on anything that doesn't look "right". I got failed recently for a K&N filter that didn't show up in their computer as an approved modification. At another supposedly sympathetic smog station, I got flagged and sent to a referee station because the car "sounded loud" and the tech couldn't visually see the exhaust system without taking the sills off - so instant fail. The CA smog NAZI patrol is in full force these days. I might just keep my second cat, but gut it out and see what happens.

There's an easy answer - MOVE! California is going to the dogs anyway. Homeless everywhere, used needles on the streets and mass transit, taxes through the roof, sanctuary cities, etc. Why would anyone want to live there???

[catwood]

There's an easy answer - MOVE! California is going to the dogs anyway. Homeless everywhere, used needles on the streets and mass transit, taxes through the roof, sanctuary cities, etc. Why would anyone want to live there???

That's really SF. But reasons why

Family
Friends (going back on 40+ years)
jobs
community ties
Kids in school
Weather
lack of bugs
$$$ invested here.
I can drive the Viper 360 days a year if I choose.

[ViperTony]

High flows and belanger catback did it for me. It also stopped the side sill paint from yellowing which I noticed was happening when I removed the side sills.

[catwood]

High flows and belanger catback did it for me. It also stopped the side sill paint from yellowing which I noticed was happening when I removed the side sills.

After I visit the dealer that's probably the route I'll take.

[Martin]

What will they find? the only part tha'ts exposed is the header transitioning into a single pipe. The secondary cats are hidden. They would have to unbolt the panel to see.

Honestly, I haven't had to smog the Gen V yet - but on my Gen IV, they went in there with a mirror and flashlight and poked around all over the place. The Gen IV had vent holes under the cats in the sill, and he looked up there with both a mirror/flashlight and then a borescope. The Gen II was a nightmare - the referee station actually did make me remove the sills to see if the cats were still on the car. I have a Borla exhaust on that one, but never did anything with the cats - and the Borla system has a CARB number. So, they ended up passing me but it was a huge pain in the butt and massively time consuming. I won't even go into the hassle of my Grand Cherokee - I put a Kenne Bell supercharger on that (and it has all the CARB numbers all over it) and that one makes smog tech heads explode. One time I spent three full days trying to get it to pass visual - I kept having to call Kenne Bell, get them to send me documentation on the parts, and then give them to the smog guy.

Nowadays, they have a brand new system where they log into their computer and look up any modifications in their database. If the modification isn't listed in the database for your car, you're screwed plain and simple. All it take is one component anywhere from the air filter to the tailpipe to cause a visual inspection failure. It sucks super bad, and now I'm leery of doing anything that might get me red flagged in their system.

Also, nowadays, the BAR and other California smog control NAZI organizations are doing a ton of spot checks on the smog stations. They drive up in cars that have loud exhausts, etc., and they try to get passed even though they have some component that is a violation. If the smog tech passes them, they get a huge fine. If they pass one of the secret shoppers more than once, they lose their license and they have to close shop. As I mentioned, it sucks super bad right now to have a modified car - at least in my neck of the woods.

[BlueAdder]

Why are you insistent on keeping the catalytic converters? Just curious.

I'd go with headers and high flows over just adding insulation.

Because he's in California and you can't remove the CC. If you do, you ain't street legal no more.

[cubeman]

Honestly, I haven't had to smog the Gen V yet - but on my Gen IV, they went in there with a mirror and flashlight and poked around all over the place. The Gen IV had vent holes under the cats in the sill, and he looked up there with both a mirror/flashlight and then a borescope. The Gen II was a nightmare - the referee station actually did make me remove the sills to see if the cats were still on the car. I have a Borla exhaust on that one, but never did anything with the cats - and the Borla system has a CARB number. So, they ended up passing me but it was a huge pain in the butt and massively time consuming. I won't even go into the hassle of my Grand Cherokee - I put a Kenne Bell supercharger on that (and it has all the CARB numbers all over it) and that one makes smog tech heads explode. One time I spent three full days trying to get it to pass visual - I kept having to call Kenne Bell, get them to send me documentation on the parts, and then give them to the smog guy.

Nowadays, they have a brand new system where they log into their computer and look up any modifications in their database. If the modification isn't listed in the database for your car, you're screwed plain and simple. All it take is one component anywhere from the air filter to the tailpipe to cause a visual inspection failure. It sucks super bad, and now I'm leery of doing anything that might get me red flagged in their system.

Also, nowadays, the BAR and other California smog control NAZI organizations are doing a ton of spot checks on the smog stations. They drive up in cars that have loud exhausts, etc., and they try to get passed even though they have some component that is a violation. If the smog tech passes them, they get a huge fine. If they pass one of the secret shoppers more than once, they lose their license and they have to close shop. As I mentioned, it sucks super bad right now to have a modified car - at least in my neck of the woods.


Naziforina, Makes us in New York look like straight freedom.

[nwa_viper]

I removed my cat pipes and carried them to an exhaust shop. He cut off the secondary cat and replaced it with a straight pipe. Cost me all of $20. Problem solved.

[Martin]

I removed my cat pipes and carried them to an exhaust shop. He cut off the secondary cat and replaced it with a straight pipe. Cost me all of $20. Problem solved.

I'm thinking that the substrate inside the secondary cat might mysteriously come flying out of the cat and just leave an empty can behind....

[sharmut]

I removed my cat pipes and carried them to an exhaust shop. He cut off the secondary cat and replaced it with a straight pipe. Cost me all of $20. Problem solved.

Because some of us reside in California and have to contend with smog certification every 2 years after the initial 6 years. It gets more complicated after a certain number of years the smog must be performed at a STAR certified location.
One option is to remain with stock parts and gut the secondary CAT to pass visual inspection. Although the sill hides the 2nd cat, as martin mentioned earlier a mirror or scope will provide enough visual access to determine if the 2nd cat is present.

[Martin]

Because some of us reside in California and have to contend with smog certification every 2 years after the initial 6 years. It gets more complicated after a certain number of years the smog must be performed at a STAR certified location.
One option is to remain with stock parts and gut the secondary CAT to pass visual inspection. Although the sill hides the 2nd cat, as martin mentioned earlier a mirror or scope will provide enough visual access to determine if the 2nd cat is present.

Exactly - every time I get the "Smog Check Required" note on my registrations, it also says I have to do it at a STAR station. The STAR stations don't screw around... I've heard of some non-STAR stations doing a smog-check with a "service fee" of $300 cash and passing just about anything - but they seem to change ownership quite frequently. I got so fed up with having to deal with the tech at the STAR station that I took one of my cars to "a guy" that was recommended by a buddy of mine. He looked at my renewal slip and said "sorry dude, I can't touch it - this says you need to go to a STAR station."

I asked around, and what I heard is that things like hybrids and cheap eco-box cars almost never get sent to a STAR unless they got tagged as a gross polluter at one point. High performance cars that are on the "list" of ones that are likely to be modified almost always get sent to a STAR station.

Not that I could move away from CA, but sometimes I really want to. There are just too many restrictions on everything that I find fun.

[BlueAdder]

Because some of us reside in California and have to contend with smog certification every 2 years after the initial 6 years. It gets more complicated after a certain number of years the smog must be performed at a STAR certified location.
One option is to remain with stock parts and gut the secondary CAT to pass visual inspection. Although the sill hides the 2nd cat, as martin mentioned earlier a mirror or scope will provide enough visual access to determine if the 2nd cat is present.

That or you need to keep your stock parts and put them back on every two years. That's a pain but, that gives you the opportunity to check that your aftermarket stuff is doing good.
Still sucks donkey balls to deal with SMOG.

[cubeman]

So in Cali you go to a state center with state employees for Smog? Cause I can't believe regular shops can be bothered to check this stuff.

[serpent]

You guys with ACRs if you bought new in cali, don’t need to worry about smog for next what 5 years?

[Martin]

So in Cali you go to a state center with state employees for Smog? Cause I can't believe regular shops can be bothered to check this stuff.

Virtually all the shops are independently owned - and they generally charge people $50 just to hook into the OBDII port and check to see that there are no codes. That's what 90% of the tests are like now, and that's how these guys make their money. Some shops do repairs, so when you fail, they sell you on all kinds of stuff that you may or may not need, and their prices are generally extortionistic. Because the shops are independently owned, that's how the State has them by the balls. The State will send out secret shoppers to the test centes, and see if the shop will pass a car that has some bit of equipment on it that's not approved for California. If they pass a car that's in violation, it's a fine. If they do it again and get caught, they lose their license. Some of these shops cost a lot of money to set up - they have a dyno in the ground (not a real dyno - just the roller to put load on the engine), they have all kinds of computer hardware and software that needs to stay updated, and they need to go through all kinds of certification. Losing a license can bankrupt most of these guys - so they don't want to take a chance anymore. It used to be a nudge nudge, wink wink kind of business - but not anymore. Now, they hear a car drive up with a loud exhaust and they immediately get high blood pressure and start sweating.

[Martin]

You guys with ACRs if you bought new in cali, don’t need to worry about smog for next what 5 years?

I thought it was 4 years, or whenever the car gets transferred to a new owner, whichever comes first. I'd have to look at my paperwork - if it is six years, that would be a lot easier to deal with. But, from there onward, it's every two years no matter what.

[cashcorn]

6 years on new cars after 2010..

[nwa_viper]

Get an extra set of cat pipes to modify. It’s honestly not real hard to swap them out once you get the hang of it.

[catwood]

So, it would appear that this is now a warrenty claim. However, the side sills and insulation appear to come in one piece and are change together but the hinge covers are individual pieces. They are checking to see what else can be done. Fortunatly I am 100% stock on the exhaust or else this wouldn't be covered which seems to be a conumndrum. Stock exhaust causes the issue but ifnow you mitigate it, then it's not covered. Anyway, there are calls going on right now and I'll be informed shortly.

[Martin]

So, it would appear that this is now a warrenty claim. However, the side sills and insulation appear to come in one piece and are change together but the hinge covers are individual pieces. They are checking to see what else can be done. Fortunatly I am 100% stock on the exhaust or else this wouldn't be covered which seems to be a conumndrum. Stock exhaust causes the issue but ifnow you mitigate it, then it's not covered. Anyway, there are calls going on right now and I'll be informed shortly.

Definitely let us know what happens... I'm experiencing some issues with the passenger side sills - my Suntek wrap is already melted and bubbled up, and I'm thinking the nice Stryker Purple paint is going to be the next to go.

I have heard that the passenger side gets hotter for some reason. I think it has to do with the way the PCM manages the fuel trim, but that's way above my pay grade...

[catwood]

Passenger side is the issue on mine also.

[ClayR]

Yeah all these white GD cars are having the same issue. I am just going to order a new piece, paint it and keep the original for myself as an original piece of the car after I either go Heads and Cam or 9.0L. Good thing I kept that one stock for you Cat. Mine is 100% stock but not after this winter.

[BlueAdder]

The paint by the hinges is also turning yellow on my car too. I'll probably wait for a bit and get that replaced via the warranty. I got the 7 year warranty anyway, so may as well use it LOL

[catwood]

Yeah all these white GD cars are having the same issue. I am just going to order a new piece, paint it and keep the original for myself as an original piece of the car after I either go Heads and Cam or 9.0L. Good thing I kept that one stock for you Cat. Mine is 100% stock but not after this winter.

I'm hoping to keep my hinge covers. Iif they have to change the side sill then I'll try to keep that also. It's doesn't show any issue so far but if the insulation is loose, they can't/won't bond it back. I can and will if it's an option.

[dirtyboot]

The paint by the hinges is also turning yellow on my car too. I'll probably wait for a bit and get that replaced via the warranty. I got the 7 year warranty anyway, so may as well use it LOL

Have you made sure it will cover that? I took my car in for the driver side clip breaking on the shifter bezel plate, was told it didn't cover cosmetic issues, only functional ones. Since at the time I was only a month past standard warranty and into extended warranty, they good-willed me the replacement so I wasn't eating over 1k for a plastic shift bezel plate.

[cubeman]

Have you made sure it will cover that? I took my car in for the driver side clip breaking on the shifter bezel plate, was told it didn't cover cosmetic issues, only functional ones. Since at the time I was only a month past standard warranty and into extended warranty, they good-willed me the replacement so I wasn't eating over 1k for a plastic shift bezel plate.

My driver hinge was squeaking. Preformed fine, just squeaked like hell. Replaced under warranty. I'd consider it a paint defect if it was discoloring which should be covered.

[serpent]

My driver hinge was squeaking. Preformed fine, just squeaked like hell. Replaced under warranty. I'd consider it a paint defect if it was discoloring which should be covered.
Mine is beyond squeaking, like its being blocked by something and the dealer cant figure it out. Those are my only two complaints about this dodge, the door stiction and the driver window frame (wind noise above 60mph).

[ViperGeorge]

Just had the hinge covers on my 14 white GTS replaced. Not covered by extended warranty - cosmetic. Covers aren't very expensive but painting adds about $200. Insulated underneath the new covers, hopefully that will solve the problem.

[BlueAdder]

My driver hinge was squeaking. Preformed fine, just squeaked like hell. Replaced under warranty. I'd consider it a paint defect if it was discoloring which should be covered.

My door (driver side) grinds against something, I'm guessing it's the hinge too. Probably that thing gets hots and gets slightly out of shape.
Cosmetic or not, it should be covered by the warranty. It's not our fault if those friggin' cats are so huge that they burn everything. Then again, FCA can say whatever they want and then we're screwed. I might just remove them cats and when it's time to SMOG, I'll put them back on temporarily. That, or since 90% of the miles I have on the ACR are track miles, I might just as well PNO it and be done with that SMOG BS... (plus, that will save me $980 in Registration and $600 of insurance LOL)

[ViperGeorge]

My door (driver side) grinds against something, I'm guessing it's the hinge too. Probably that thing gets hots and gets slightly out of shape.
Cosmetic or not, it should be covered by the warranty. It's not our fault if those friggin' cats are so huge that they burn everything. Then again, FCA can say whatever they want and then we're screwed. I might just remove them cats and when it's time to SMOG, I'll put them back on temporarily. That, or since 90% of the miles I have on the ACR are track miles, I might just as well PNO it and be done with that SMOG BS... (plus, that will save me $980 in Registration and $600 of insurance LOL)

I had to replace the driver's side door hinge on my 14 GTS (also not covered by extended warranty). It creaked and kind of had a sticking point. Did it from almost new, I should have had it taken care of right away but somehow time ran out. I'm not sure why I even have the Maxcare 7/70 warranty as it doesn't seem to cover a damn thing.

[Martin]

My door (driver side) grinds against something, I'm guessing it's the hinge too. Probably that thing gets hots and gets slightly out of shape.
Cosmetic or not, it should be covered by the warranty. It's not our fault if those friggin' cats are so huge that they burn everything. Then again, FCA can say whatever they want and then we're screwed. I might just remove them cats and when it's time to SMOG, I'll put them back on temporarily. That, or since 90% of the miles I have on the ACR are track miles, I might just as well PNO it and be done with that SMOG BS... (plus, that will save me $980 in Registration and $600 of insurance LOL)

Damned good idea. I PNO'd my Gen II years ago, but never drove it since then. If you've got the car trailer'd, then there's nobody in the world that can mess with you regarding the insurance or registration issues - just get track insurance so you're not on the hook for a mess up while down at laguna, Sears Point, or Thunderhill. Still got to deal with the smog NAZI organizations if you drive on the roads, but if it's only a few miles a year, that might get lost in the noise.

[catwood]

just a follow up. Hinge cover replaced under warrenty due to slight yellowing at bottom. Down side, they didn't cover the wrap though.

next, mitigation to prevent it again

[Arizona Vipers]

What does "PNO" mean?

[sharmut]

What does "PNO" mean?

Suspect it's the DMV term "Planned Non Operation".
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/online/vrir/faqpno