CGT downpipe/cat joint, need flex?

[auditude at cox.net]

Hey List,

So I bite the bullet so to speak and decide to take the Coupe GT into a muffler shop to have them tend to the leak it had, since I don't want to mess with exhaust work myself in this 105f degree heat.

They charge me $30 to put a "fuse" in, their name for a short piece of pipe welded in place.  They end up welding my downpipe to the front of the cat, solid.  They removed the two flanges, metal sealing donut, and three spring-loaded bolts.  It fixed the leak sound, but I don't think I'm happy with how they did it.

I'm concerned that engine movement will now put stress on the exhaust manifold instead of allowing some flex at that joint.  Am I being overly cautious, or should I take the Bentley into the muffler shop and ask them to add something there that flexes like it needs?

Is the stock sealing donut intended to allow some flex there?

Thanks,

Ken