what the hell is an exhaust mount doing here..

According to http://www.afrashteh.com/tranny_pics/T56.htm, i need an exhaust mount for the swap? where? and what? im confused.

As I recall, there's a bracket to support the cat, bolted to the tranny tailshaft housing. Its held on by the same bolt that holds the TA bushing. At least there was one on my T56 with single cat. Check out the exploded view on Shoebox's Tech Pages, part #31 may be the one.

http://shbox.com/1/exhaust_system.jpg

Yeah, my A4 single (former) cat car has a bracket to hold up the rear of the cat - or ORP - attatched opposite the torque arm bushing mount. So I imagine the T56 needs one, too, to support the cat and front of the catback.

Do you have to use the exhaust hanger? When i did the swap from a4 to t56 i didnt have one and i have a straight pipe where the cat used to be. Thanks

The exhaust is held up by the manifolds/headers, trans bracket, and muffler hangers. Without the trans bracket that's a lot of pipe just to be held up at each end. The connections - unless everything is welded - are going to have too much stress on them and will sag and eventually leak.

what is that black plate in the middle here.... http://www.thirdgenparts.com/92LT1RS/T563.JPG

justy skip it, havent got anything else than the 2 frame mounth fasterners on my 4" exhaust, no problems at all...
http://home.koping.net/u3243a/vinter%2004-05/DSC02413.JPG

what is that black plate in the middle here.... http://www.thirdgenparts.com/92LT1RS/T563.JPG

Basically a dust sheild for the bottom front of the bellhousing. The hole in it is for the starter nose.