Catalytic Convert and Muffler replacement - Questions

[CowboyErik]

I just re-fitted my exhaust; I removed the heat shield, they were all disintegrated anyway; I saved one, may paint it and put it back; frankly, they looked useless; gonna check if anything really needs protecting; my system was all nasty from the day I got my beloved VX in 2007; I spent about 9 hours stripped, grinding, sanding and polishing each component, especially the cats cause they are so expensive; then used high heat 2000 degree paint as a primer, then top coated with appropriate high heat paint, looks good, system is silent now! muffler was broke, got a new one $$$$ from Isuzu, wanted to stay stock!

[blacksambo]

I just re-fitted my exhaust; I removed the heat shield, they were all disintegrated anyway; I saved one, may paint it and put it back; frankly, they looked useless; gonna check if anything really needs protecting; my system was all nasty from the day I got my beloved VX in 2007; I spent about 9 hours stripped, grinding, sanding and polishing each component, especially the cats cause they are so expensive; then used high heat 2000 degree paint as a primer, then top coated with appropriate high heat paint, looks good, system is silent now! muffler was broke, got a new one $$$$ from Isuzu, wanted to stay stock!

Now that's devotion!