4" pipe resting against cooler line...

[Kodiak]

Just got my 4" exhaust (Bully Dog) in today, and the pipe rests against one of the auto transmission cooler lines. There doesn't seem any way to bend/maneuver around this. Anyone else had this problem, and if so, what did you do about it?



Or is it simply not somthing to worry about?



Thanks.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Kodiak, this would be bad. It won't take long for the thicker pipe (exhaust) to wear a hole in the thinner one (transmission). Every effort should be made to create at least a 1/4 inch gap between them to prevent rubbing. You may find some play where the downpipe attaches to the turbo. Good luck!

 

[Kodiak]

Thanks for the reply, Kurt. I'm assuming from your signature that yours is a manual and your DD system didn't cause any problems. I heard from another recent Bully Dog purchaser that he had the same problem. I'm wondering if the BD pipe is accurate, although there's not much room for any variance at that spot.



Your idea of creasing the pipe is a good one. I'll try that next.



By the way, your sig shows that you've got some truck there!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

The Aluminum trans cooler lines are actually very easy to bend, just be careful and dont over do it or you will kink it. I would just try and bend it out of the way. Aside from the hazard of the exhaust pipe coming into contact with the line and possibly rupturing it, you also dont want the high heat of the exhaust contributing to your Trans temp.

 

[Kodiak]

EMDDIESEL,



Thanks for the reply. I want to avoid pushing those lines around; I just replaced them, and the thought of bending them gives me the heebie-jeebies! But if there’s no alternative...



Here's a thought... does anyone who has any brand of 4" exhaust with an automatic trans have this problem, or is it just a Bully Dog problem?



This has happened to me and another TDR member this week, and I want to figure it out and perhaps save someone else the hassle.



Thanks for the help.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Well i have the Jannetty 4" turbo to tail exhaust and there is PLENTY of room between the exhaust and the cooloer line. I have not seen other brands up close, so i dont know if its just the Bully dog.

 

[Kodiak]

I promised a follow-up on this situation. I've been talking to Bully Dog, and Jeff there has shown interest and an intention to help.



Seems the problem lies with the '95-'96 models. Jeff says they're working on a solution right now and that he'll get me the right one when it's all figured out.



Meanwhile, a local exhaust shop helped me bend a hanger and reset the trans line a bit further away, and this gave me 1/2" clearance. Hopefully this will keep me out of trouble for now.



Thanks for all the help and feedback on this one, and when Bully Dog sends me the new downpipe, I'll let you know how it works.

 

[John]

Originally posted by Kodiak

Here's a thought... does anyone who has any brand of 4" exhaust with an automatic trans have this problem, or is it just a Bully Dog problem?

I have a Banks 4" mandrel bent, stainless steel exhaust system on my auto. equipped Ram and there is no trans. cooler line to exhaust system interference. It sounds like an engineering oversight. Have you considered returning the exhaust system and purchasing a better engineered one?

 

[Kodiak]

John,



Yours is the best idea yet! However, I have to give the Bully Dog people credit; they are trying to figure this out and are being darn nice about it. As the problem seems to be just with '95s and '96s, it's taking them a bit of time. They've been so professional about it that I want to give them a chance, but if no solution is forthcoming, I think yours may be the only way to go!

 

[Cooker]

What cooler line are you talking about?



I just installed a 4" Downpipe from Stans Headers and it is a very tight fit between the frame rail and the trans cooler line going into the heat exchanger. Is this were you were talking about?



I see no way to properly correct this situation. I just let the pipe rest on the frame rail and that gave me about 1/4" I have my downpipe wrapped with header tape so I'm not worried about heat, just rubbing a hole in the line. Maybe I'll cut a small piece of hose to go over the line for some protection against rubbing.



-Ryan