somebody5788

So my buddy just bought an 88 GXL. Street ported, S5 rotors, upgraded apex seals (need to get a hold of builder to see if they remember which), 3rd gen housings, full racing beat exhaust header back, and PO wired 5th and 6th ports open (i know i know...) So the problem is That at some point the pipe between the pre silencer and y pipe was changed to non racing beat 2" pipe w/ generic flanges and now it doesn't have enough surface area to seal up and leaks on the top and bottom. We got pulled over for it too... So were trying to make our own flanges but were just pissed off now. So now I am hoping someone can point me down a better path. I tried NAPA and they didn't have a 3" flange just 2.5". Should I continue making the pipe that I am working on or is there something easier I should try. I am just having a hard time cutting out the 3" circle the rest is going alright.

1NSIGHT

iTrader: (3)

Racing Beat has flanges you could buy.

somebody5788

I noticed that a bit later but 35 bux plus shipping for 2 flanges... ugh... that and I wasn't sure if I can weld to stainless. I'm really hoping to get it done tonight so I can drive it home haha.

justinpace

if your in a rush and dont want to do it the right way, via purchusing specified flanges from racing beat then go to you local autoparts store buy the correct diameter piping and a pipe cutter, cut off the flanges on the racing beat and on the homemade y pipe measure the distance you will need between the two and cut a section of the pipe you bought at the store, weld that in place and your good to go, but honestly it would be smarter in the long run to A) Buy racingbeat flanges, B) Racingbeat y pipe, i am sure you can find a y pipe here on the forums for cheap.

g14novak

iTrader: (1)

Get a stock cat for the car and cut the flange off that. Problem solved. You shouldn't spend more than like 20$ for the cat.

somebody5788

I am trying to fix a previous exhaust shop repair. They used flanges that were too small so I have no flanges to work with. I already have the right size pipe I am trying to make a new flange but I don't have a mill or anything to make a nice 2 3/4" hole in the flange so I have been attempting w/ an acetylene cutting torch and for some reason this torch SUCKS!!! I was very good at cutting with one back in school but man this one is just melting it and moving it not actually cutting through. I have not seen a racing beat system like this but it says racing beat right on the parts. I am thinking its an old road race system or something as its goes off the header duals to 1 single 2.5" then through the pre silencer to a 3" Y pipe. The pre silencer is 2.5" as well. I have the perfect size pipe and good thick metal for flanges its just a PITA right now. When its done it will be as good as new. I was hoping there was a place besides RB that had a 3" flange but my search has come up short and thought I'd ask the club.

justinpace

Okay maybe i wasnt clear enough, Cut the flanges off completely, all of them that are giving you trouble. Purchuse some extra pipe from a auto parts store, now you have the y pipe with no flange and the muffler with no flange, so they should not touch when mounted because there is no flanges and some missing material that you cut off. Measure that distance, should be fairly short. Write down that distance, measure it on the extra pipe you bought, cut that much pipe off. Take that peice, weld it to the y-pipe then weld the other end to the muffler pipe. No flanges necessary.

somebody5788

Oh... ya I would NEVER go down that route way too ghetto for me. I mean I know it works but you destroy to very nice racing beat header and y pipe. I ended up getting it done late last night. I guess I don't know how to adjust a torch haha. Got it all together and welded in and NO leaks! It's probably still illegally loud but at least it sounds better. Plus my install is very clean and as good as a mandrel bent pipe!