Those of you with long tube headers- had any issues with exhaust alignment after install?

[ghunt81]

So about 12 years ago I bought a set of JBA ceramic long tube headers and a used JBA catted shorty H pipe for my car. While installing the headers, I cut the factory over axle pipes to install mid-mounted Magnaflows. After installing the headers, I found out the passenger side collector was a little wonky- I was able to get the exhaust on, but it screwed up the alignment of the pipes ever so slightly and I feel like ever since then I have not been able to get the over axle pipes to fit correctly.

Even after:
1. Swapping out the ceramics for 304SS JBA's that I found a good deal on, and both collectors were straight;
2. Buying completely new aftermarket over axle pipes, which were 2 piece pipes that I thought would help with alignment.

Well, neither of these helped. The driver's side pipe comes up closer to the gas tank than it should in front of the axle, and both pipes hang too low to where the axle will actually hit them if I bottom the suspension (which unfortunately happens a lot on our crappy roads). This has caused the driver's side pipe to pull out of the muffler more than once, it actually happened to me on the way home from work 2 days ago. No matter how I adjust the pipes I cannot get them in there like they should be.

Do I just have bad luck or has anyone else also had this problem?

 

[FredB66]

I've had similar experiences with 2 exhaust setups. The first was with Pypes catted H, new over-axel pipes and MBRP mufflers, and most recently with BBK LTHs and a catted X. In both cases I couldn't get adequate clearance over the axel or the exhaust tips centered. After hours of screwing with it I finally brought it to the local muffler shop and $200 later, it was perfect. It just took a few cuts/welds but it was worth every penny.

 

[86GT351]

Could be a motor mount issue. If either of the mounts is collapsed it will creat deflection to one side or the other throwing off the drivetrain and exhaust alighnement.

 

[ghunt81]

The motor mounts aren't collapsed, I did space them up 1/4" when I installed the headers though.

 

[whitmanink]

let me just say this...
for my 09 gt , i got of fb market ,a brand new bbk catless off road x pipe and header collector pipes ,
and then from lmr got new over axle pipes,,
from AM i got axle backs,,

i have been under my car countless , did i say countless times , because i cannot get the pipes to center the mufflers comming out of the bumper, ,, the passenger side would be close to the tank but would still clear it,

but after like 6 times of going under and getting everything loose, trying again , and again .,i said F-it ,,,,

so i seen where my muffler mounts would have to be at to make it all centered ,,went to work , made 4 mounts with extenders to reach the screw holes while keeping the mufflers centered in the bumper.
and bang , good to go ,, but why? like in my mind , it should have all just went together and smooth as butter?
i even used zipp ties to keep the xpipe at the height it would be if our cars still had the trans mounts on them..

but i guess im not the only one with issues

 

[JC SSP]

These pre-fab exhaust systems are built on a gig. There are variances in the measurement because every car is different. A quality muffler shop can fix, adjust & align the system to perfection.

 

[Pentalab]

I have JBA titanium ceramic LT's on my 2010 GT auto.....with the mating JBA catted H mid section. Then a pair of pypes M80's resonators (M80's installed just before the axle), then over top of the axle...to a pair of FRS-500 SS mufflers. The tips on the FRS-500 mufflers are 1" longer on a 2010 GT vs the 05-09 version. New steeda eng mounts installed at the same time. The steeda eng mounts have the option of stock eng height, or eng can be lowered 1/4" - 1/2" - 3/4". Muffler shop used the 1/4" lowering option. That gave better clearance between the Roush CAI (used on my Roush M90 blower) and steeda strut brace that goes over top of the engine.

Rear is lowered 1.25" with the Roush shocks + springs. Front is lowered 1/2" with Roush springs. Originally, the front was lowered 1", using the 1/2" lower roush spring...and 1/2" lower Roush front struts. Roush front struts are very stiff, and eventually one of em snapped. Replaced with oem front struts.

With either config, zero issues with exhaust setup. The M80's were welded into place. Before the M80's were installed, it was way too loud, plus had drone at 2 krpm.

 

[Laga]

Kook’s LTHs and Borla exhaust on a 05. I had minor alignment problems with the tips at back of car. Was able to adjust by bending hanging hardware.

 

[Juice]

Aftermarket exhaust rarely fits perfect, some brands are better fitting.
The solution:

Lincoln Electric 125 Amp Weld-Pak 125 Flux-Core Wire Feed Welder, 115V (No Gas) K2513-1 - The Home Depot

Basic wire welding for projects and repairs around the shop, farm or home is now convenient with this Lincoln Electric Weld Pak Wire-Feed Welder.

www.homedepot.com

 

[ghunt81]

My main fitment issue is with the driver's side, really....the passenger side actually fits decent. But the driver's side pipe is too close to the gas tank, as I said, and also when I put on the muffler and tighten it all down the muffler is always slightly rotated. Have had 3 or 4 different sets of mufflers on the car and every single one ended up like that. I just can't figure out why that pipe is so off, but I don't really want to cut it and weld it so I guess I gotta live with it.