Hey guys...
I'm going to be refabricating my downpipe soon, and I was wondering how many of you guys have flex-joints somewhere in your downpipe? (I guess this only applies to you turbo guys because I know the stock exhaust system/header - and aftermarket header - don't use such joints). They make sense--they allow a softer mount of the exhaust to the engine (in my case, turbocharger outlet) and will prevent vibration and absorb the expansion/contractions during warmup/cooldown. I think this could help prevent consistent bolt-loosening on my turbo outlet. How many of you guys use them? Looking around on the KA-T's, it seems like not many of you use the flex-joints. I know they aren't a necessity because I haven't been running one all along, and my hotshot header/tanabe catback exhaust don't have any flex joints in them.
1.) So, keeping in mind that one small flex-pipe is at LEAST $50, is it worth it for me to have one welded in while I'm doing the fabrication of the downpipes?
2.) Does it make a difference where in the exhaust you put these flex-joints? I'd either have it right on the downpipe section or on one of the "straight" sections beyond the downpipe.
3.) Where can you find these flex-joints, and reasonably priced? The ones that jcwhitney sells are too long...
4.) Why am I having SUCH trouble finding your basic 2-hole 2.5" exhaust flange? I've looked around on google for a while and am having trouble finding them--jcwhitney/jegs/summitracing don't sell the 2-hole flanges in 2.5" The places that I have found that sell them are charging like $12, which is a total rip-off if I need 6 of them. Plus, I've heard that none of the exhaust shops are willing to sell you their flanges--they wouldn't sell me some 02 sensor bungs. (bastarrds).
I found some flanges/flex-pipes at this site...but if you just take a browse on their "ordering" or "shipping" section, you'll become pretty intimidated by how complicated they make everything. Plus, the site seems to be pretty cynical in regard to customers...
http://www.roadraceengineering...s.htm
Anyway--Just want your guys' input, especially since I won't have my turbo outlet flange till late next week, even though I ordered it December 18th from JGStools.com...those fools weren't even gonna bother telling me that they didn't even have any in stock OR had any made up....
Where to buy a) Exhaust flex joint b) 2.5" flanges c) Who's using exhaus flex joints?
Ahh...you definitely misunderstood me. I'm not THAT dumb...
I'm referring to this: It's not convoluted like the flex-pipe you're referring to. Perhaps I should have labled it "flex-joint." This stuff comes stock on some turbo downpipes i've seen....Backfire, eh? Mine already does plenty of that
:ylsuper
I'm referring to this: It's not convoluted like the flex-pipe you're referring to. Perhaps I should have labled it "flex-joint." This stuff comes stock on some turbo downpipes i've seen....Backfire, eh? Mine already does plenty of that
:ylsuper
For those of you who were wondering--the exhaust is just about done.
Here's a pic of the old pipe (black) VS. the new pipe (silver). The second pic is a merged picture of the old pipe's welding quality vs. the new pipe's welding quality.
http://www.eniety.com/pichost/pic/124-2494_IMG.JPG
http://www.eniety.com/pichost/...e.jpg
Enjoy.
PS--All of the welding was done for FREE (well, I gave the guy $10 in Dunkin' Donuts gift certificates--he wouldn't accept money) by my friend's dad's co-worker. Not bad.
Here's a pic of the old pipe (black) VS. the new pipe (silver). The second pic is a merged picture of the old pipe's welding quality vs. the new pipe's welding quality.
http://www.eniety.com/pichost/pic/124-2494_IMG.JPG
http://www.eniety.com/pichost/...e.jpg
Enjoy.
PS--All of the welding was done for FREE (well, I gave the guy $10 in Dunkin' Donuts gift certificates--he wouldn't accept money) by my friend's dad's co-worker. Not bad.