stupid flex pipe....

[dackler]

I had my flex pipe replaced 2 yrs ago... At the time, the local exhaust shops claimed that they couldnt weld a new one in: "Its right at the bend, we dont have enough room to get a good weld/seal"
Well Im hearing the same schpeel again....except that the shop I had do it last time is a little out of my way to try to schedule time to get down there again to see if they could do it. I dont even know if the guy that gave me a discount (g/f's neighbor, now my ex g/f) even works there....

Soooo... Anyone have any shops in Syr that they'd recommend me check out?

My other option is to suck it up and just buy a new SS catback exhaust... It'd save me from having to deal with my oem system that's growing old and rusty...but it'll cost me big bux. I've found the Neuspeed one for $600, and of course there's always AWE for $755..... On top of that, I gotta pay someone to install it (I hate dealing with 1- the cold and 2- workin on exhausts).

I welcome your thoughts, ideas, etc.

fyi- the replacement OEM downpipe is $160 from ECS Tuning.....

[KPz]

is it a section on the exhaust (before or after the cat)? or is it like the ones on the ABA where its up on the exhaust manifold.

If its in-line i have a piece of flex pipe that i never used.

[wolfs99]

Dude do what i did put a header on it it is cheaper.

[dackler]

Its the flex pipe thats after the cat, part of the downpipe....


Any exhaust shops that do mandrel bending? If Im to consider a custom cat-back, Im not messing around with crush-bent tubing....

[KPz]

i would go with some shiizz that has been pre made cause i have had too many problems with people that try to make custom pipes and they suck at it... but think they did a good job.

sneeze (monroe)

[boostin20v]

what engine in the b5?

[dackler]

1.8t, Atw

[orion2.0]

cant you just get a long piece of flex pipe from autozone or another place like that? Sawzall out the old flexpipe...cut a section out of the new stuff...slide it over both pipes and clamp it with a couple clamps on each end...also I think there are various patch/sealants for exhausts so you can get a better seal at the clamps. Obviously buy a piece of flex pipe that is wider than your exhaust piping so it can slide over it but not much wider. I wouldnt even worry about getting it welded...its really tough to weld pipes when they are on the car because you can never really get at or even see the top side.

[dackler]

Im not too keen on using exhaust clamps as a permanent fix.....and after taking a slightly better look under the car, and at an old DP that I have, I can see that the current flex is at the curve of the DP so it might be difficult to get the flex lined up enough to weld it or whatever.

I could always redo it using the other DP that I have but if Im doing enough work to pull the current DP, I might as well just be bolting on a new exhaust....

guess its time to sack-up and order a new exhaust.... hopefully I can use the lift that my work has in Ithaca, that'll make things go a bit easier.

I'll still consider something custom and/or local though if you guys know of a shop that does mandrel bending or makes custom exhaust using mandrel bends.

[VWTUNING]

My vote is for a turbo back exhaust & K04 upgrade :icon_cool:

or more realisticly... just get a cat back.

If you need to use the lift in our shop we welcome fastdubs members, we just ask for a small donation to help cover our rent. If I dont have **** going on I'd be willing to help too!

[boostin20v]

Is the problem the down pipe or the catback? you mention both in your postings and I don't know where the flex joint is located on the B5 chassis.

I'd assume its the DP...why not just get a 3" dp??

[VWTUNING]

isnt 3" over kill for the tiny K03?


2.5" seems more reasonable.



but yeah I think he mentioned the crack was after the cat so a cat back should do it. I too am not familiar with the B5 setups.

[orion2.0]

Welding does seem more permenant...but I started to go with clamps because it always seems to rust out first wherever it gets welded unless its all stainless.

[dackler]

The exhaust goes like this: Manifold > Turbo > Cat > DP > Flex >Connector pipe > 1st muffler, etc...


The flex pipe is at the very bottom of the DP, and is at the transition to the connector pipe.

As much as I'd love to do a K04...thats not gonna happen as I've got a motorcycle that needs more parts too :laugh:

Im leaning towards just plunking down on a cat-back exhaust. Just doing a bigger DP seems useless since I'll still have the OEM piping after it to restrict any flow gains from the bigger DP.

If I pick up a cat-back exhaust then I''ll ask for permission to use your shop. I appreciate the offer, and hopefully you'll be available too Pete! I'd be happy to make a donation to the proprietors to help cover your costs for this place, as well as bringing beverages to be consumed :rofl:


On a side note- one of my buddies that went to H20 with us MANY years back (when I had my yellow car) just bought an 07 GLI Fahrenheit edition.....holy hotness batman. very comfy, and very fun to drive.
I'll see if I can get him to get on this site in the future.....

[boostin20v]

A larger DP even with the OE cat back makes a substantial difference compared to the OE DP and larger cat back.

[boostin20v]

isnt 3" over kill for the tiny K03?


2.5" seems more reasonable.



but yeah I think he mentioned the crack was after the cat so a cat back should do it. I too am not familiar with the B5 setups.

3" turbo back yeah, but a 3" dp and then then 2.5" catback will offer good gains with little negatives.

[Sepp]

A buddy of mine JUST did this with his B5A4, I'll check on the details..

[dackler]

Well I ordered a neuspeed cat-back unit tonight...645 shipped.
I gotta order a hardware kit so once all that stuff comes in I'll post up. Who should I contact about this "Dub-spot" thing? actually...Pete, could you p/m me your # and/or some info about this shop you guys rent out?
Thanks.


Sepp- I'd still like to hear what your buddy has to say about this....

[dackler]

I blame you guys....
I figure if Im doin the exhaust, I might as well see if I can put a lower-mileage turbo in at the same time....so Im in the midst to try to find a K03, K03S, or a K04...price has to be right though...
I figure these should all make a nice addition to my GIAC 1.1bar chip that I've had for a few years....

damn modding bug...it bit me again!

[VWTUNING]

Dan you can get in touch with me about using our shop - my number: 373-3011


We'll be hanging/working/partying there later (after work) tonight if you want to come out :icon_tup:

[dackler]

Pete, thanks for the welcome. I'll consult with you again once parts start arriving and I can get a date set up to do this....

...Also, since my turbo is the original, and stock with 139k miles on it, and its been running the GIAC 1.1bar chip since 85k miles.. I picked up a used K03sport to toss in there while I have the car apart. I'd like to do it all at once while its apart but Im not counting chickens til I have all my eggs in one basket :err: or something like that.

[dackler]

So the exhaust has arrived. Big box, lotsa shiny metal bits in it so that's good.
I've got the necessary gaskets and bolts... Turbo isnt here yet so Im thinking of saving that for another time...but in the meantime, I need the exhaust to pass inspection....

Giddy as a schoolgirl.

[VWTUNING]

When ya wanna tackle this homie? Friday night?


Saturday night is a party at my place, hope you can make it!

[dackler]

I was going to call you later to see what your schedule is like.
I can work it out so I can do it either night this weekend. If Friday night works better for you then Im game!

[dackler]

We cut that bitch out!

A big THANKS to Pete and K-Peezy and everyone else at the DubSpot that helped out last night. I cant thank you enough for letting me use the lift- it made doing exhaust work SOOOO much easier.

Sure, we had to take about an hour per bolt for the Cat-DP connection but just remember how EASY it was to install the new one! lol

You guys rock and I cant thank you enough. It was a great time working on the car...the jager bombs may have distracted me a little but I feel they were necessary for that kind of work. :laugh:

Thanks again and Im sure I'll see y'all around again soon.

....now Im off to do some snowboarding!

pics to come soon...

[lotar_6]

very cool!!! any pics?

yeah... we all know the guyz are great!!


btw, peterman... I will be up that way next w.e. and can help with the tranny!! I'm still trying to get an inch/lb. dial torque wrench (measures in 1 in/lb increments). makes things much easier! see if you can find one to borrow. they are expensive.

[VWTUNING]

Good times Dan :) it was a bitch but we ****ing conquered it! Gotta love NY salty cars... NOT :laugh:

be sure to come back up some time soon homie!



Kyle - I found a guy who will do the bell housing swap for $100 and says he can take care of shimming if needed. He works a dealership and has a lot of tranny work. Thinking of going that route cause its pretty damn cheap and will be done right.

[VWTUNING]

But if you got stuff to work on let me know! Or just want to hang out :icon_cool:

[RichB]

very cool!!! any pics?

yeah... we all know the guyz are great!!


btw, peterman... I will be up that way next w.e. and can help with the tranny!! I'm still trying to get an inch/lb. dial torque wrench (measures in 1 in/lb increments). makes things much easier! see if you can find one to borrow. they are expensive.

What do you need in the way of a inch-lbs torque wrench.???... I have this one
(2nd one down on this page model number 36)
http://torkit.com/search_results_narrow.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=&txtsearchParamCat=ALL&txtsearchParamType=ALL&iLevel=1&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&btnSearch.x=4&btnSearch.y=15

I have some pics from last nigh... just need to upload them off the camera

[lotar_6]

But if you got stuff to work on let me know! Or just want to hang out :icon_cool:

both... as always! nothing major. just tinkering inshiz.

and Rich... I need something with a dial indicator for 0-?? in/lbs. I don't need to torque to spec, I need to get readings. Look'n for sumthin' like this...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51iu8phI3EL._SS500_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/TORQUE-WRENCHES-SCALE-Model-301LDIN/dp/B0013COVUO)