Any Suggestions on This?

[32valvZ]

So I got the rest of the pipes early from SW. I went to check fitment at lunch and this is where I'm at now.... Still cant hook the headers/cats to the rest of the exhaust. Any idea of what I should do now? Maybe those flex deals?

Just to be clear, its the offset of the pipe to the cats thats the problem. I understand I will need a bit of fab work for the actual proper union of the pipes... I was planning to use a wide band clamp over the end of the pipe & cat to get it down to the shop, but clearly, in this position, I cannot do that...

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Hello John,

Since you have Watson headers and MF cats already, I can understand why the SW cat back system is not matching up. You already bought SW pipes up to cats or I would think 3” stainless custom bend pipes would be better. I don’t imagine SW will let you return those so I see your dilemma.

I suppose one choice would be to use flex pipe to join but some of the SW pipe would need to be cut off to allow space for flex and alignment. A good custom exhaust shop should be able to make a nice transition. I know you are trying to replace the ugly exhaust. I guess you might have to get a long flex and remove the cat to get it to the shop.

I think the cleanest look at this point would be to replace SW pipe with custom bent 3” stainless to cats.

The alignment is too far off and too close to make adjustment as is in my opinion.

If money and time was no object I would say SW headers and cats for plug and play install and look.

Best wishes for a nice solution that looks clean if that is the ultimate goal.



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[32valvZ]

Thinking maybe I will attach the the bend pipes to the cats and use flex couplers on the X Pipe side... Probably will need to cut off some of the pipe to get everything to fit... but, in theory, that might get me where I need to be... Thanks for the reply and suggestions!

[HAWAIIZR-1]

I’m sure you’re find a good solution seeing everything first hand. I understand your feeling as I am going to go through similar on my 95 soon. I traded SW long tube for SW short, catted headers and replacing their cats with C6 Z06 cats. I measured and had the bolt on flanges to stock exhaust welded up. I won’t know how it fits and matches up until I get to it. Hopefully my guess and calculations were good. Best wishes and you’re welcome. Sorry could not be of more help.


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[Ccmano]

I was just about to ask if you got them yet. At the risk of stating the obvious if you loosen the cats at the front does that provide any wiggle room? Based on the way the system is constructed it looks like the distance between the head pipes is relatively fixed. A good muffler shop should be able to fabricate some offset transitions for you. I don’t think I’ve had a header/cat/exhaust system installation go smoothly yet unless everything was from the same mfg. Even then it can be sketchy. Not sure I would do flexible ones.
H

[lfalzarano]

Just put it on a flatbed tow truck and take to your selected welding shop to fabricate a bend and connection. JMHO


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[-=Jeff=-]

My Watson headers had a ‘jog’ pipe that aligned them, however it would be in place of the cat. I think if done right a flex pipe will work out nice

[32valvZ]

Been working on this since 5AM.... Couldnt sleep, why not see if I could make it work.... I got it done. Remembering that I had that "jog" portion of the Watson kit that I bought from a member here (Frank)... I had to cut the flange off and the 3" OD side off to fit it in. Also had to cut the one head pipe off about 2-1/2".. But it worked out nice. Only one side needed to be worked like that. The other side I just cut down a section of 3" ID pipe to join the cat to the head pipe. The kit has fairly long extensions for the tail pipes... too long for my taste, so I cut them down about 2" also... couldnt go much more. Looks pretty good for a novice... Thanks for the help and suggestions on this guys!

One question I do have, do I absolutely need the spring support deals? Are they really doing anything anyway?

The system is nice and tight and doesnt seem to be moving... I hate to weld onto the nice looking pipes... they look so clean!

[Ccmano]

Nice work, luv the tips, didn’t know they had those. Knew you’d figure it out. I don’t use the center spring supports on my OBX system.
H


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[Paul Workman]

The spring supports reduce some of the sound that otherwise is transmitted from the exhaust to the cabin. And, they provide some flex in case the pipes bottom on something solid, e.g., speed bumps.