Flex Pipe Connection - Benefits?

[Cooker]

I'm wondering if installing a 4" piece of flex pipe (maybe 8" or so) at the bottom of the downpipe (connecting the downpipe to the rest of the exhaust) would be beneficial.

My logic is two fold. First the motor/turbo flex with the torque of the motor. This piece of flex pipe would eliminate the stress placed on the rest of the exhaust by the flexing of the motor.

Second, the flex pipe, IMO, may absorb some of the resonance from the rear of the exhaust. Also if you are eliminating some of the flexing of the exhaust, this too may eliminate some of the resonance.

A long while back I remember reading a post by a member saying he put a piece of flex on his stock exhaust and it eliminated some of the resonance.

What do you think? Good or bad?

Thanks for lending me your knowledge,
Ryan

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by Cooker:
I'm wondering if installing a 4" piece of flex pipe... What do you think? Good or bad?

My brother had a pace setter header with a flex joint fail on his project neon drag car, it really did a number on his car. Almost looked like a small underhood fire. If you use a flexconnector make sure you know what it should like and when it sounds different, i. e. it has broke and is leaking.

my talon had one from the factory and Buscher racing sold me a pipe with no flex joint, 12 months later a bolt fell out and the weld cracked. I had to buy his competition's pipe that included a flex joint for $550! I did not want to have to take the exhaust off every year to get it welded...


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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E

 

[Koa Man]

If you install flex pipe, get the ones with finished ends. Shortest lenght will probably be 12 inches. Keep it straight. Use band type connectors instead of the guillotine style. Flex pipe is necessary if mounting exhaust pipe from frame to body as they will flex differently. It may help for the reasons you mentioned if mounted on frame only, but can't say for sure.

 

[illflem]

Ryan, what Koa Man said, but didn't emphasize, is that you must keep the flex pipe straight, don't use it in place of a bend. I have heard that flex pipe will quiet down your exhaust, but have no first hand experence with it.

 

[cullyguy]

Check these guys out. Nice products and noise drone reduction! www.epiflex.com

Exhaust Products Inc.
2777 E. 83Rd Place
Merrillville, Indiana 46410
(800)362-1701

These guy are the manufacturers of the Woven Stainless exhaust flex joints.


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Steve in Spokane,01 4x4 Auto Quad Cab SB, NRA Life Member, 99- H-D FLHRCI Coalbalt Blue,00 XR650R Power Upped, Former PSD owner

 

[Guest00]

Cullyguy... . >>>

Thanks!!!!

 

[Koa Man]

Cooker,
Check with your local NAPA. That is where I got mine. Finished ends will make it easier to connect. You can get them with ID-OD, ID-ID or OD-OD. Which one you get will depend on what kind of ends the pipes you are joining have.

 

[Mac]

Do a search of the TDR board for "Steve McDaniel". He added the flex to his. JC Whitney has some that is supposed to be very high quality.

 

[Cooker]

Thanks for all the feedback so far.

Yes I plan on keeping the pipe straight. Just a small 12" piece to connect the bottom of the downpipe to the rest of the exhaust.

So I need flex with finished ends huh?

Cullyguy,
Any idea on what some of their pricing is?

 

[mikel]

I have an 18" piece of flex pipe between the doqn pipe and the muffler. It really helped take out the drone that I was getting at about 75-80.

Mike

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'99 QC 2500 SLT Driftwood 2wd SB 24v Auto 3. 55 LSD
ISSPRO boost and pyrometer, Autometer 3 gauge replacement pillar, Walker 24168, DTT VB
'00 Durango SLT 360, 3. 55, Patriot Blue
-- email address removed --
Howdy Agg's!

 

[cullyguy]

Epiflex is the mfg for the JC Whitney items. I think the prices are better from JC Whitney however. If I remember correctly the price direct form Epi for a 3" kit (flex w/ finished ends & clamps is about $100.

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Steve in Spokane,01 4x4 Auto Quad Cab SB, NRA Life Member, 99- H-D FLHRCI Coalbalt Blue,00 XR650R Power Upped, Former PSD owner

 

[Cooker]

There is no doubt in my mind that the EPI Flex pipes are a very quality product, and I'm sure they will last a long time.

The problem is a 8" piece of 4" ID EPI pipe is $129.

 

[M_Pulling]

Some food for thought. We have a 94 International Slide Back at the tow service I manage and the truck comes from the factory with a Stainless Steel Flex Pipe between the exhaust manifold and pipe. This is required to prevent the exhaust manifold from cracking. The trouble is we have to replace it every year because the truck will not pass the CHP Tow Truck Inspection. It is leaking every year. So now we automatically take it to the International Dealer every year and have a new exhaust flex pipe installed (right and left) to the tune of 159. 00. If this problem presents itself in the Ram then that could be an expensive Mod just my $. 02

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2001 2500 QC 4X2 Flame Red Clear Coat
Magalia Ram

 

[Koa Man]

M Pulling,
If you use band clamps and put some aluminum foil around the joints before you clamp it, it will help stop leaks.