Why don't you guys use flex-pipes?

[Honda Hick]

I hear all this stuff about many of the aftermarket SR20 exhaust manifolds cracking on people, plus turbo gaskets going all the time. Wouldn't a flex-pipe in the downpipe alleviate many of these vibration problems and put less stress on the turbo and manifold? Most Honda guys do it to stop cracking in the manifolds and they rarely have cracking issues because of it. I know most of the available downpipes for SR20's don't have these flex-pipes, but I don't see why you couldn't get one for like $25 and have your DP cut and this welded in. I do a search on NICO and Fleshalloy for "flex-pipe" and don't get anything so obviously it doesn't seem like you guys are using them. It's just a thought.

[NY S13 SR]

I was looking into this, 3" flex sections are about $60, so for example an S13/S14 flex test pipe with flanges would be about $125.

If people want them I will have some made up.

Also FWD engines move much more than RWD, and the movement is perpendicular to the exhaust so many must run flex sections or something will break.________________Jeff HHeavy Throttle

[f150intally]

Might be a good idea if you could make a factory replacement "flex pipe" for the cat or test pipe. Same length, same flanges as a replacement test pipe.

P.S. Jeff, you can pickup a 3" Stainless Flex Bellow from ATP Turbo for about 36.00 http://www.atpturbo.com/Merchant2/merch ... y_Code=FLX

[NY S13 SR]

Nice, that can bring the price down to under $100 with flanges for S13/S14. Still not sure of the interest, I would need to have 20 made for a batch.

_________________Jeff HHeavy Throttle

[swappedcrx]

Jeff this is marc from wset palm i order stuff from you guys when ever possible and i would replace my HT 3" test pipe with a 3" flex pipe from ya no problem

[Honda Hick]

Do you think a flex-pipe where the test-pipe is would be as effective as in the downpipe? I would think the closer to the turbo and manifold, the less tension and vibration it would put on those components.

[f150intally]

Do you think a flex-pipe where the test-pipe is would be as effective as in the downpipe? I would think the closer to the turbo and manifold, the less tension and vibration it would put on those components.

don't know about you but my downpipe is bolted to the transmission which is bolted to the motor with 11 very large bolts. to me the test pipe would make more sense. just my opinion.

jeff, it is jay in tallahassee My screen name is f150intally because my other vehicle is a 5500 lb brick.

-Jay

[Hijacker]

exhaust manifolds would be less likely to break if there was a brace done from the DP to the engine or transmission

[VitaminT]

exhaust manifolds would be less likely to break if there was a brace done from the DP to the engine or transmission

Like the other guy said. My DP mounts to the trans bushing/mount so it does not flex that much. I think that if you can take that 9ft. "breaker bar" out of the picture with a flexpipe then you should be fine mounting it in the test pipe. I like the idea of the flex pipe being removeable in the form of a test pipe.

[Onizuka]

the problem IS that the DP is mounted the transmission mount and not the transmission. Maybe im wrong (please correct me if I am), but last time I checked, the dp/transmission mount connection does not move as it is attached to the chassie. A brace that attaches to bolts on the bellhousing and o2 extention would probably work well in reducing stress on a tubular manifold.

Of course this would only work with stock turbo location :\

[Cyberkreig]

I could be wrong, but last time i was under there i thought i saw the DP bolted to the transmission mount. a non-moving item.. which would mean that a flexable testpipe would not isolate the manifolds & gasgets from the force of torquing against a fixed point..

but i bet it would make my stupid n1's stop bumping my driveshaft =/

[NY S13 SR]

I think a lot of people do not have their downpipe attached to anything! Flex section in a downpipe would kick the price up to over $150 uncoated mild steel.

______________Jeff HHeavy Throttle

what up Jay!

[Honda Hick]

I think a lot of people do not have their downpipe attached to anything! Flex section in a downpipe would kick the price up to over $150 uncoated mild steel.

______________Jeff HHeavy Throttle

what up Jay!

I would think you could charge $200 if you fit a decent length flex-pipe in there considering there are none on the market

[extheflow]

:bash ,what are you thinkin? while you're at it tell him to charge an extra 500 for motorsets, cause thats what you're willing to pay. i'll take on in SS for 200$ please:D

[Onizuka]

I think a lot of people do not have their downpipe attached to anything! Flex section in a downpipe would kick the price up to over $150 uncoated mild steel.

______________Jeff HHeavy Throttle

what up Jay!

I think it would be worth it, more cost effective than having to get turbo manifolds rewelded

[Hijacker]

well, if you take a small piece of steel, you can weld it to your turbo elbow and then mount it to the engine block. it's a bit more effective than mounting the DP to the transmission mount.

[BaliLover]

Wouldn't flex pipe cause unnecessary turbulance in the exhast flow? I might be thinking of the wrong stuff, but I seem to recall flex pipe not being totally smooth internally.

[Onizuka]

I honestly think that will make no difference. Even if it does, im not going to miss the .03 hp lost.

[VitaminT]

Sorry to bring back this tread from the dead, but I think this is useful info that everyone will appreciate. I have a email to JIC to get exact pics of them and to make sure both the mild steel and stainless have the flexpipe built in. Nice price too expecially since it is a downpipe, testpipe, flexpipe combo.

http://www.jic-magic.com/produ...e.htm

[180crafter]

Hey, thats pretty nice. Very helpful, and I am sure tht someone will jump on this.

[Onizuka]

I dont like that those delete the ability to use a catalytic converter.

[180crafter]

Then dont buy one. Alot of SR guys arent running very "eco-friendly"...

I have one like this, but from HPI without the flex part.

[Onizuka]

Well most guys still have to bring their car to get emissions tested, and swaping out a test pipe for a cat is a whole hell of alot easier than having to take out the whole DP when you want to put a catalytic converter back on.

And yes, I would rather not breath hydrocarbons, O3 and NOx gases that come out from/are caused by non-catalyzed exaust systems. Its not worth the marginal performance increase to me.

[VitaminT]

Well I just heard from JIC and it dosen't matter because the S13 downpipes do NOT have flex pipes. Oh well I tried.

[180crafter]

Sorry, but I've been spoiled by the fact that there are no more emissions in dade county. Not only that, but if you run a car properly tuned, it helps to reduce unwanted emisions to a minimum.

[VitaminT]

Hehe, what are emissions? Just kidding, like 180crafter, I do not have to worry about emission testing.