Stainless Steel Exhaust Problems

[stew]

Hi all.

I have a magnex (i think) stainless steel cat-back exhaust system on my hybrid at the moment (relic of previous owner/s) and have just splashed out for a lovely new supersprint manifold and decat pipe (both T304 stainless steel). When driving today i noticed the exhaust tone had changed once the system was hot. During inspection of the exhaust system i notcied that the front box (middle section) was leaking!!!!! How is this possible with stainless steel? Anybody else had problems like this before?

**NOTE : My car isn't decked and hasnt had any abuse from me over speed bumps or other objects!*** (Unless martin can enlighten me! LOL)

Anyway, it needs to be fixed or replaced - can i weld the leaking hole/join with a mig or arc welder? Will this fix the problem and last a while? or am i better just getting a new stainless steel cat back system to compliment my new manifold and decat. If so which system would you recomend?? - im looking for a 3" or 3.5" tailpipe exit!


Cheers,
Stewart

[Slithers]

Holts do a hole repair kit, not sure if its any good, but theyre firegum works wonders IMO.

Might be worth checking out their range of products before thinking about welding.

[2 live]

find out what zorst it is, then get in touch with the manufacturer.s/s exhausts should have a lifetime warranty

[northy]

as stainless steel gets hot, the metal expands upto 1"


So i think that as it gets hot, its opening up one of the joins.

But if u replaced the cast iron manifold with a stainless steel one (whiuch heats up far quicker than standard) - this heating and expanding will have almost certainly broken one of the joints on the silencers.

Depending on your area - i would be leaning towards replacing the section with a new free flow stainless steel part.

3" rolled inwards is almost classed as standard on these cars.

Did the supersprint manifold line up ???

[stew]

supersprint manifold not fitted yet northy!!! lol

do u know of any good free flow middle sections (no boxes just straight thru)???

[summeh]

supersprint do one... lol :D

have a look here....

www.supersprint.com

get the product code then go here... www.motorsportworld.co.uk

[stew]

looks not to be stainless steel

[stew]

anyone know any good cat-back stainless steel exhausts that are straight thru with no front/centre silencer box? any recomendations?

[Martin]

I always use powerflow....not too keen on off the shelf exhausts..

[Rajk]

I always use powerflow....not too keen on off the shelf exhausts..

seconded, they will make anything you want, my mate had and old 320i and he got a straight thro stainless with just the end muffler, on changing down it used to spit flames,btw make sure you get them to do it in the same bore pipe. otherwise I have heard you loose back pressure