RW> Even so, those mufflers and pipes will eventually fail from the inside   
   RW> out. Moisture and combustion acids combine to eat even stainless steel.   
      
   True.  The mufflers have held out really well.  The CAT was replaced around   
   70k under the factory warranty.  Must have been a defect.   
      
   Speaking of my Monte, it is back in the shop again.  Not to engine work, but   
   this time the transmission.     
      
   It turns out I had no 4th gear which was way more evident since I had the new   
   engine installed.  I could coast down a hill at 60mph and my RPMs were at my   
   idle of 600rpms.  It seemed to be more pronounced after the engine swap.  This   
   isn't how I had planned things to go.     
      
   The only thing I can say is you still can't buy a 85% new Monte Carlo for   
   $6000.     
      
   - Mark   
      
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    * Origin:  http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (1:261/1304.0)