Cascade Crew

91RSVert · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject: Tired of my leaking exhaust

Ok, Ive had it. Since I have had these headers and exhaust, it has been nothing but leak after leak after leak.

The headers, well... I cant get to the damn spark plugs. Ive got a welder now so I think I could build my own y-pipe.

I dont have alot of money to spend, so what are some mid-price headers where I can get to my damn plugs with normal tools, and WONT LEAK where it matches to the y-pipe!?!? I'm very temped to go back to stock manifolds. #$%^&*

chevymad · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:17 pm Post subject:

If this is on the 3d gen get hedman headers. I've had them for lots of years now, Paul has them, Mike has them.. they're 1 5/8s and work very well. The plugs are easier to get to with the headers then with the stock manifolds. Their Ypipe does need some work though. It has 2 2 1/4 pipes that flow into a single 2 1/2. But the Y itself is larger.. I cut mine back where the Y is 3" and welded a mandrel 3" into it. So now its 2 headpipes into a 3". Newer hedmans now use a ball and socket type joint instead of the flat flange. Mine are 10 years old and have the flat flange.

Paul and Mike are both running dual exhausts so no Y.

91RSVert · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:23 pm Post subject:

So the opening at the bottom is likely 2.25 then also?

My current ones are 2.5 Neutral

I would likely do like you, and make it 3". I could possibly merge what I have, with what It comes with.

chevymad · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:27 pm Post subject:

It was easy to do. The dual 2 1/4" headpipes I dont think will be an issue unless you're over 400hp. If thats the case just build your own Y pipe or dual exhaust. The headers themselves will support more hp, as seen by both Paul and Mike.

91RSVert · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:34 pm Post subject:

I'm looking now, and the y-pipe says 2.5 in, and 2.5 out. But the headers dont say.

:edit: Ok, most of these say 3.0 collecter. If I go with smog ones, they seem to come with ball/flange. Which is what I have now and leaks. I guess I need to get some non-smog ones that have 3bolt. The angle of the pipes appear to be the same as what I have. Wondering if they pull away from the block more, before they bend n angle down?

chevymad · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:47 pm Post subject:

If you have ball and flange try some Exhaust crack and seam sealer. It comes in a tube and is a white goo. It'll harden to a white plaster like stuff. I've used it for exhaust gaskets and anywhere I cant get exhaust to seal. It won't work just trying to plug an unsupported hole, but something like a flange it works perfectly. Get it at napa. Just goop up the joint good, put it together, and start the car.. It'll harden up with time or heat.

91RSVert · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:55 pm Post subject:

Ive been using that hi-heat red silicone. It works for a while, then blows. Sad

chevymad · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 4:29 pm Post subject:

This stuff isnt silicone.. it's a silicate. Sets more like plaster not rubber.

91RSVert · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject:

can you clean it back off when you take it apart. Then re-apply when you go back together?

chevymad · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 5:04 pm Post subject:

Ya, if its not clamped in the gap it just kinda flakes away.

redlava · Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:57 am Post subject:

I had a similar problem with the ball and flange leaking on my headers. The problem is with the nuts they provide, hey will always come loose. Just go to the hardware store and get some of those heat treated nuts that are pinched/smashed lock nuts. Never had my headers leak again after that.

91RSVert · Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:38 am Post subject:

Mine has no nuts ( Laughing

)

91RSVert · Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:35 pm Post subject:

Well, I figured out what my exhaust problem was today.

I use a donut gasket on one side. Well I guess donut gaskets are made of wound up metal with a small sealer or something. It melted and unwound itself.

New donut gasket and no leaks. Easy fix.

91RSVert · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 1:42 pm Post subject:

And back to blowing donut gaskets again *sigh*

91RSVert · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:03 pm Post subject:

How do you tell what series flowmaster you have by looking at the case?

DBL_TKE · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:07 pm Post subject:

Well if it's a stock style cross flow muffler then it's the 80 series.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:04 am Post subject:

It was to be a stock replacement. Single in offset, with dual outs on each side.

Since they dont make a single in, single out 80 series, what would be the closest to sound that has a 3" single in offset, with 3" single out offset? :edit: that super44 sounds close?

Also, what would having a 4" dump out soundlike over 3"?