360 Modern solution to prevent cracked exhaust manifolds?

Been searching for a day or two. No luck. All the information I can find seems to be for parts that are no longer available.
What are people doing nowadays?
I've developed a dreaded tick on the left side exhaust manifold. Assuming the worst, going to be replacing with a used piece that is hopefully in better shape. In any case, I am looking to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Off topic, but to preemptively answer this suggestion: I live in California, so no - aftermarket headers or not an option for me.

The only part that I can find available doesn't seem to be correct. I'm attaching the description, the part number, and the picture of what I found. It says it goes between the catalytic converter and exhaust manifold, but is clearly a picture of an engine mount lol

Thanks, in advance! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

My stethoscope says it's coming from the passenger side of the engine, somewhere before the subframe.
I'm HOPING it's a loose nut on the manifold, but I'm not usually that lucky.
I've heard exhaust leaks from a cracked runner before.... This sure sounds similar.
Even still, per my pay: I still would like to find a way to take some of the stress off the mounting points.
I know some people worry about the exhaust banging up the small grills in the rear bumper. I could take those out. I care more about how the car runs and it's reliability then how it looks with some silly little grills in the bumper lol

 

13mm?
Crap. After reading another member's how-to, I ordered an assortment of 12mm wrenches and a crows foot.
I knew I should have checked myself.

 

Not in California, unfortunately.

 

Nope. Our Smog techs actually look up diagrams for any part that looks out of place. Especially headers. I've been failed for OEM parts, until I was able to prove there weren't aftermarket. Headers will not pass smog in CA.

 

I kind of figured this thread would turn into another one about catalytic converters, so I'll just go with it lol

That would be awesome. Assuming that can be done, I have one of the West Coast's best fabrication shops local.
If my manifold is cracked, I will swap out for set of headers. I will then relocate my oxygen sensor to after the catalytic converter. If no CEL I will roll that way until it's time to smog again. During that time, I'll have the heat shields cut away from the OEM manifolds.
If I fail smog, I'll pull the headers off, have the heat shields welded on, try again.

Yes. And?

 

Update:
Exactly what I suspected based on the sound. Turns out one of the air injection tubes cracked
1. Has anyone tried to weld these before? Does anyone know how thick the metal is? I'm not really seeing a source of stress on the pipe, would anyone happen to know what makes them crack, in the first place? Is it just from the heat?
2. Has anyone had a bad experience driving with the tube cracked? I may have to drive the car about 6hrs away to swap/fix it.
3. In regards to the manifolds cracking from the stress of engine movement, doesn't the type of connection between the manifold and cat. (in the picture I'm posting) relieve that? With those sprung bolts, usually there's a little bit of movement allowed. Is it not enough?

Thanks, in advance!


Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

From what I've been reading, a cracked air tube is pretty common. Also from what I'm reading on this forum is that the technicians are instructed to weld them back as opposed to replacing the entire manifold. Definitely cuts costs for the dealership lol.
If it is, indeed, cooler air coming from the air pump and being directed into the exhaust, maybe I could see how varying temperatures could create a weak point and then cracked.
If I didn't live in such a smog regulated state, I would find a way to bypass the entire system.
I'm just glad it's the air tube and not the manifold itself. If I pull it off and the precat is okay, I will consider that a huge win. I say that because it's not usually my luck. I'm usually the victim of worst case scenario. Lol