Well the other day I was racing around and due to the fact that I can't get my headers to bolt up to my block so there's no support for them, I snapped my cat off the flange that connects it to the mid pipe.

I've been told I need to get a flex pipe to keep it from happening again but I have some questions.

1.) I've browsed around and it seems that the best place to get a flex pipe welded on is before the cat on the header. My problem with this is that my header is a DC racing 4-2-1, and it turns into 1 right at the end of it. Would it be ok to get it put on after the cat and before the resonator? I can put pictures up tonight of it if needed, since the exhaust is off my car at the moment.

2.) What is a good brand of flex pipe to get? I've heard of them breaking, and I don't want to have to go back under there to get a new one put on later down the road.

I'm going to get my muffler put on at a local shop sometime soon, so I will probably just have them weld the flex pipe in while I'm there.

 

woa.

question 1. why can't they bolt up to your block? you snap all your exhaust studs? because they can and should be replaced.

your 1. i'd put it right after the header. mine is a hytech rep 4-2-1, flex pipe, hi flow, straight piped to the muffler.

2. i have a vibrant one but its only been on there a little over a year but no rust no fraying SS, still works great. i'd wait though and see what others opinions are since i don't have much experince with a wide range of brands.

 

does your header have a donut flange on it? are you not using spring bolts?

 

There's a bracket under the motor where it's suppose to bolt onto the block to help support it, doesn't fit for some reason.

I'll get under there tonight and check out the header to see if there's room to weld one on, how long are the flex pipes usually?

Yes it has a donut flange on it, and no both of my spring bolts snapped. What is the point of those exactly?

 

The spring bolts allow your header/catalytic converter joint to "flex" when the engine rocks back and forth. Without this flex, you can snap the point of greatest stress.....exactly where yours snapped.

 

So if I got spring bolts at the header/cat connection point, would a flex pipe even be necessary?

 

that's the whole point of a donut flange...

 

Advance sells the bolts and springs in the "Help!" section. Just a generic container that should have 2 bolts, 2 springs and nuts, I think it's like $12. That's cheaper than a flex pipe though, I paid like $25 for a 2.5" for my downpipe.

 

No.

 

Alright looks like I'll be going with the bolts and springs when I get it put back on. Glad I asked you guys first before dumping money into getting a flex pipe. Thanks a lot guys!

 

I never even really noticed I had a donut flange until this happened. The exhaust came on the car so I never really had any need to mess with it.

 

with my edelbrock turbo kit the down pipe never came with a flex pipe and its solid all the way back. so they are not necessary.

 

sorry i totally forgot about that second support. you can usually buy that little brace online and have it welded on at a shop.

 

Well there's already one on there, it's just a couple inches away from the spot where it's supposed to bolt on at. I could have the wrong header for my motor because it came on my car, and my car was a hackjob, but who knows..

 

Well I definitely need some sort of movement in my exhaust to that I don't snap it again, I'm going to look into some of those bolts and springs tomorrow.

 

That will probably solve your issue. In your other thread you didn't mention that you were not using spring bolts, hence the reason I suggested a flex pipe.

 

Went and tried to find some of the spring bolts at local auto stores tonight, couldn't find any that came with just two bolts and two springs. They were all just one bolt and spring and some other weird attachment combinations that were all for GM cars. Bought one and going to see if it fits when I get my exhaust back from being welded together.

 

on my motor its the same way lol

 

I have no idea why that is, it's a DC sports header too, so it's quality. I want to figure out a way to get it to bolt up, because I keep snapping hangers off since there is no support up front.