Tinman I think has your best way out if you can get them gutted without hurting the outside. Put one of the small 1 3/4" baffles in the end of the header pipe right before it meets the muffler. To put a larger baffle in the muffler you have to get rid of the lip at the end.

Another possibility would be to cut the mesh where it is still against the outside of the pipe. Maybe a little silicone there to prevent the loose end from rattling. Don't know if you can just a thought.

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