Negative Effects of no exhaust flanges

[keithisg]

What are the negative effects if I put no exhaust flanges in between the Y pipe and headers, and in between cat and cat-back pipe? Of course its backfiring like crazy and sounds terrible. Any other really horrible effects? I hope to get it worked on this week, I was so excited to have it back on the road after 3 months i just threw it back together.

I know it doesnt have much back pressure either, whats the max amount of time I should go with it like that?

 

[03ranger30]

I dont' have a flange between the cats and mid pipe, the previous owner did that. The only disadvantage that I could see to not having them is that you can't just remove one part, you will have to take the whole thing off unless you cut it.