My resonator in the center section is rotted out. I have the ability to cut out the resonator and weld in a straight pipe. So I'm looking at $20-40 in materials for that. OR I can spend $118 at Auto Racambi and buy the center section and bolt it in. THoughts? Which is more of a hassle? Will the bolt break and leave me high and dry? I've been PB blasting them for weeks.

bolts breaking is no problem, you can replace them, and i would recomend it anyway. as far as resonator delete, thats a personal opinion, it will make your car louder! these engines are very loud un muffled, i loved it when racing back in the day.
you could hear the fiat comming for a mile where everything else was a lower pitch . a lampredi strung up at 8k sounds wonderful

I thought it was odd that the straight pipe center section costs more. At least from what I've seen on the web. Auto Racambi seems to have the least expensive center section. Does anyone have any other recommendations? I can't afford stainless. I just want to make sure it's quality and that I don't have to bang my head against a wall installing it. I've done that enough with every other part of this car.

Also, I assume I need the CAT gasket for this. I really don't want to order this thing just to find out I forgot to snag a .99 cent essential part. LOL

in my case i had a bent center section,so when i did the exhaust i did the whole thing
but i waited untill i could afford it all

if you dont want to redo it in two years get the new one

I took the resonator out on mine when I went to a 2" pipe. Yes it is a bit louder but tolerable. (have an Ansa muffler, no cat)

Well. If I wait until I can aford the whole exhaust I may never get on the road. Lol

Ordered my part. Decided to see if I could just take it off today so I'd be ready when it came in. The rear clamp came off with zero problem. Then I removed the top two CAT bolts, but the bottom two just spin. The little factory clamps that keep them from spinning wore out. Guess I'll need to cut them off. I can't get a wrench around them even when I bend the tabs back.

i would tack weld them

but i know you dont have a welder

I have a welder. But then I'd be taking my CAT which I won't feel like grinding. I don't mind messing up the center section though.