Ok, so there's this law about running open headers in my town... now I need an exhaust system. Local shop wants $400 for two pipes with one bend in them to clear the tranny crossmember. I've considered doing it myself and using flexpipe for the bend but I'm not sure about it's durability. Any opinions on this stuff? Thanks
Braids will not hold up to being held in a continuous bend. Flex pipes are designed to give a little bit of flexibility and act as a relief point to prevent other components, namely manifolds, from breaking.
My experience is that what you are proposing will not work at all. Making any kind of serious bend would probably break the flex joint outright.
My advice is to either use prebent pipes or to have the shop build it.
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My Rides
1994 Ford Aerostar 4.0L AWD extended
175,000 miles
Fullblown 50 series catback system
590 watt sound system
AFE ProDryS filter
1990 Mazda B2600i
505,000 miles
Custom exhaust with BearCats high flow converter and a straight through muffler
Custom high velocity intake with AFE ProDryS filter
I was afraid that was going to be the case. I did some digging last night and found some intermediate pipe with a suitable bend in them for about 20 bucks ea. That plus 2 mufflers and some straight pipe will keep her legal for around $120.
I bought these from summit to get the exhaust up over the tranny crossmember on my 77 I don't know if our trucks are just alike underneath but I thought I just give you an idea. These are $21.95 for the pair.