Flexpipe Downpipe

[wmoguy]

What about rigidity? When I had my 94 tore apart to replace the IP this summer w/ Phazertwo's help, we had a helluva time getting the turbo unbolted from the up-pipe. What saved our frustrations and need for more beer was un-doing the V Band on the down pipe which allowed some movability in the turbo as it was still bolted to the up-pipe. Seems to me in our ATS setups, that Downpipe plays some structural requirements in the whole she-bang. If this is so, and Flexpipe was used to attach turbo outlet to exhaust pipe it would prove to be a recipe for disaster unless all you do is drive on rides as smooth as glass.
flex pipe works fine on a Cummins for a down pipe like in "Big Ed" because the turbo is bolted right to the exhaust manifold, which bears all the weight of holding said turbo in place firmly.

 

[Cincinnati Guy]

I dont see how the downpipe has any structural support on the turbo. most of the support is from the uppipe and the pedistal.

 

[wmoguy]

I dont see how the downpipe has any structural support on the turbo. most of the support is from the uppipe and the pedistal.

unhook the turbo from the down pipe, then grab hold of the turbo and see if you can jostle it around. Mine was easy to move around

 

[Cincinnati Guy]

You must of had missing or loose bolts.

 

[wmoguy]

You must of had missing or loose bolts.

Ok...

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I been throwing around the idea of using some of the good stainless flex pipe for a down pipe until I can afford a real one. 3" is what I want? I just want to hurry and throw out that darn ford down pipe!!! So All I should have to do really is cut the end off the factory down pipe and get a reducer and weld, or clamp it to the flex.

Any others done this?

So long as you use good quality flex-pipe, it will probably outlast a standard steel purpose-made down-pipe.

Every big truck I ever had the hood tilted on has flex-pipe between the turbo outlet and stacks and it lasts for years.


Be sure and use stainless band-clamps instead of plain old U-bolt clamps and you should be good to go.


Out of necessity, on my 6BT, I first used the factory-original Dodge/Cummins down-pipe with a length of flex connecting the end of the down-pipe to the rest of the dual stack system.


Then, when I swapped to a much better manifold, thus relocating the turbo, I had to saw that down-pipe in two and add a couple feet of flex between the two cut ends.

So now, I have two sections of flex.

I have never had a leak, nor any reason to prevent me from doing likewise again.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Doing something "right" is wonderful when possible & affordable. This post caught my eye because I may need to use some flex pipe in a totally non-stock double turbo install. Since it seems that the tone of response to this question has already been set, then I will query in a like mode... Why the hell not? What's so bad about it? Nobody bothered to explain anything, yall just slapped that question down like an impertinent red headed step child that had dared to question the adults. Well?

It's just easy to spend other people's money.

Many responses on here lately remind me of the site most of us left when we came to this one in the first place.

 

[BioFarmer93]

The reason being is, why hack something together only to change it out shortly down the road with the right thing. I was always taught, if you are going to do something, do it right the 1st time.

Why does it necessarily have to be a hack? I imagine it could look as good as anything else under the hood of one of these trucks.

 

[Dieselcrawler]

here is the biggest thing. make sure it is legal for you. by pa law flex pipe is not allowed on a passenger car or truck. only class 8 and up. it will not pass inspection.

 

[Cincinnati Guy]

here is the biggest thing. make sure it is legal for you. by pa law flex pipe is not allowed on a passenger car or truck. only class 8 and up. it will not pass inspection.

No inspections here in Ohio.

 

[BioFarmer93]

here is the biggest thing. make sure it is legal for you. by pa law flex pipe is not allowed on a passenger car or truck. only class 8 and up. it will not pass inspection.

Oh man.... Well, it's time to move someplace warmer anyway.

 

[Dieselcrawler]

warmer? it was 65 degrees on monday!




45 today. almost 70 on thanksgiving, and we had 10 inches of snow on halloween.

 

[MidnightBlade]

here is the biggest thing. make sure it is legal for you. by pa law flex pipe is not allowed on a passenger car or truck. only class 8 and up. it will not pass inspection.

Uh-Oh....................

However, in PA it does go by population of the county whether it is allowed or not

 

[Dieselcrawler]

nope. not allowed on passenger cars/trucks.

 

[MidnightBlade]

Oh, it is part of the visual inspection, not the emissions test.

I feel dumb now. Thanks Corey