I've attached some images of a rusted part on my exhaust. every time i start the car, it rattles so bad against the pipe it makes a really annoying sound. once i start driving however, the sound is not so bad, only as i am idling and pulling out of the driveway does it rattle.

anyways, what is this part, and can i fix my problem?

 

That would be the heat shield on your catalytic converter. Looks pretty bad. I'd hit up a junk yard and see if you can find a replacement.

 

Yup, that's the heat shield for the cat. Just take it off. Mine rusted out on my '99 Civic and started to rattle just like you said. Took it off and no more issues. It's fine to run without it.

 

any cons of not having one if i take it off?

 

No, none at all... I've been driving without mine on for probably about a year with no issues. The 5th gens and earlier don't even come with heat shields, it's unnecessary.

 

My old 93 Civic had one...


It is unnecessary though.

 

for fun

 

Probably an effort to protect anyone or anything around it. Even though the heat just transfers through it since it's metal...