12 replies to this topic

[Juan Pineda]

I have an exhaust system with a bad angle on the flange connecting to the down pipe. There's about a 1/8" gap. Is there some kind of gasket solution that can be used to take up that amount of gap?

-Juan

[Cy Peake]

Warped flange on the downpipe side here. We could hear it leaking at the last race weekend. I'm going to use a 12"x12" sheet of Mr. Gasket Ultra Seal gasket material to seal it up, using the tri-bolt OEM copper gasket as a template. Cut/drill to fit.

[Ken SM94]

Hey Juan, tighten it down without any of the hangers attached and bend it over to where you want it. Attach the hangers and you're done. It's easier to bend than you would think. Jusy make sure the down tube clamp is attached to the bell housing first.

Good luck!

[Alberto]

Hey Juan, tighten it down without any of the hangers attached and bend it over to where you want it. Attach the hangers and you're done. It's easier to bend than you would think. Jusy make sure the down tube clamp is attached to the bell housing first.

Good luck!

Joke time - Given Juan's body straightening video, bending the exhaust should be second nature.


Ease of bending the exhaust pipe will depend on the material it was made from. If this is a Laguna exhaust that you plan on re-using and using reliably, I'd get the pipe cut so the flange is at the correct angle and then rewelded. Whenever I have tried to fill a hole of that nature, it has never lasted very long. Not something I'd want to deal with at the track if the work around fails.

[Juan Pineda]

Thanks for the good suggestions!

Followup question: is it better to use a gasket or not (assuming the flanges line up?) And if not, why not? I had a racer once tell me not to use a gasket but never knew his reasoning.

-Juan

[Tom Hampton]

Having just bolted mine without a gasket... with is definitely the way to go. Mine were as tight ass is could get it, but still leaked exhaust. Replaced with fresh... no more leak.

[Cy Peake]

New solution for my problem: Remflex RF8001

It's a crushable 2.5" collector gasket that requires minimal elongating of one or two of the bolt holes to fit. No more leak.

[Ron Alan]

Whats the big deal with a little leak...isn't it better air flow???? We had this same problem when we got the SD exhaust...I could actually get the flange to close up but then the exhaust wanted to ride against the car body. Not having the bell housing bolt as Ken mentioned trying to bend things was putting all the pressure on the head...gave in and took it to our local muffler shop(SM driver!)and 15 minutes and $40 later (cut and re-weld flange)we were perfect!

[Motor City Hamilton]

I have an exhaust system with a bad angle on the flange connecting to the down pipe. There's about a 1/8" gap. Is there some kind of gasket solution that can be used to take up that amount of gap?

-Juan

Had the same problem when I bought the Springfield Dyno exhaust. Discovered that there may be some inconsistancy in stock down pipes or two different versions made. Springfield sent me a new flange and I took to a weld shop for a chop and re-weld. Heard that this is a somewhat common problem, depending on your downpipe.

[dstevens]

Whats the big deal with a little leak...isn't it better air flow????

Depends on where it is. If it's before the O2 sensor it might be a performance issue. On the down pipe though I'd be more concerned with heat and CO escaping into the cockpit. On the SD site they do mention that you may have to have the flange cut and welded to fit your particular config.

[Juan Pineda]

The new replacement down pipes are all screwed up. I've sent three back over the years. In this case, I know my (vintage) down pipe is perfect as it lines up with my 7yo Laguna muffler that fit when the car was brand new.

-Juan

[Ken SM94]

Had the same problem when I bought the Springfield Dyno exhaust. Discovered that there may be some inconsistancy in stock down pipes or two different versions made. Springfield sent me a new flange and I took to a weld shop for a chop and re-weld. Heard that this is a somewhat common problem, depending on your downpipe.

I've never had a new exhaust fit perfectly and have had to tweak them all. Not sure if it was the exhaust, the down pipe, or both. I didn't even think about you guys needing to swap exhausts back and forth for sound. I added a flange for a second muffler to my Springfield so I didn't have that issue.

One reason for not running a gasket may be that it can shrink or get britle and fall out allowing the exhaust to come loose.

I've been running the same gasket in mine for the last 8-9 years but it might be a good idea to keep an eye on a new one and re-tighten it.

This all reminds me that I heard an exhuast leak the last time I was at the track-going out to the garage now to check it out.

[Ron Alan]

Depends on where it is. If it's before the O2 sensor it might be a performance issue. On the down pipe though I'd be more concerned with heat and CO escaping into the cockpit. On the SD site they do mention that you may have to have the flange cut and welded to fit your particular config.

Maybe I was 1/2 serious Maybe SD used one of Juans downpipe returns to make their jig

Wasn't complaining BTW...happy with the exhaust...except that it didn't bolt up as promised

Really, do love it!