sidepipe alignment

[chopthebass]

I just put headers and sidepipes on. Passenger side is nice and parallel horizontally and vertically but drivers side isn't. Its too far out at rear and needs to go up a bit. Is there a solution?

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh562/cobra427427/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3980_zps4oaqfyku.jpg (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/cobra427427/media/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3980_zps4oaqfyku.jpg.html)

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh562/cobra427427/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3981_zpsuu7uuzcc.jpg (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/cobra427427/media/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3981_zpsuu7uuzcc.jpg.html)

[Jimbo1965]

My MKIII is the EXACT SAME! There is an outfit in the vendors forum that sells shims to correct this...might be BREEZE...cannot remember for sure.

[edwardb]

Yes, Breeze is the source for wedges. He has several sizes plus you can stack them if necessary. But this isn't the time for pipe alignment. Get the body installation completed first. Then align to the body. The pipes may or may not be exactly parallel to the frame at that point, but it doesn't matter. Especially on the DS, where the body needs to be pushed out at the back for best door alignment.

Do I see the pipe hangars already installed on the side? Hope not... Those too should wait until after the body is on and aligned.

[chopthebass]

Thanks. I haven't drilled any holes, so I can dismantle the brackets. Thanks Ed, I will wait until body is on.

I wanted to roughly mount them to see where I can route the O2 cable and where best mount the O2 sensor. Another thing that I am unsure of!

[Jeff Kleiner]

I concur with edwardb; Breeze wedges will allow you to correct the alignment but wait until you have done the body fitting (same with the hangers).

Here's where I go with O2 sensors; after the merge, before the muffler and angled slightly down to clear the body:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Aaron5171/100_3841.jpg

Cheers,
Jeff

[CraigS]

The wedges will bring the pipe in closer to the body. To move the tip upwards try to see how much slop the bolts will allow. If not quite enough, either oval the holes a little or go to 5/16 bolts. BTW, I don't use the hangers at all- 8 years and 36000 miles and no problems. These things are strong enough that you can easily jack up the car at the muffler.

[chopthebass]

Thanks Jeff. I want to get the O2 welds done for me to do my imminent go kart trial! However, sounds like I need to have body on to determine the sensor angle?

[Gumball]

X2 on using slightly smaller bolts so that you can get some rotation at the connection point. Just a little movement there will result in a great amount of change at the exit end.

[chopthebass]

Good tip. Thanks Gball

[Jeff Kleiner]

Rather than smaller bolts I simply drill the flange holes to 7/16". Same adjustability result but the cost is $0.00 ;)

Jeff

[MCathcart]

This is a problem that everyone has fought since the introduction of the 4 tube headers. (IMO) From what I've seen it's worse on the modular motors. I had to shim the Left Motor Mount UP. My Drivers side pipe was 2+ inches Low (compared to the Right side at the Front). My Right Side Pipe was Not Straight, it was kicked towards the car. I ended up cutting the Muffler loose where it was welded to the 4 in 1 collector and re-welding it. And then, drilling the header holes to 7/16" (like Jeff said) to "Clock" them. For all these reasons, I'd be hesitant to buy the Chrome side pipes. I've seen pictures where others ended up using 1 or 2 shims (Breeze?) to get them in the right location.

There's a lot to be said for the "old" J-Pipes!

[billybobracing]

Ian, I have a shim you can have to experiment with before you order some. May give you an idea of what you need.
Bill

[chopthebass]

Sounds good Bill. Maybe send me a PM with your phone number and I'll give you a call.

[CraigS]

Once you get the height of the tip worked out Breeze sells their shims by how much the move the pipe at the tip.
http://www.breezeautomotive.com/home.php?cat_id=26

[chopthebass]

Thanks Craig. Sounds pretty easy.

[Mustang Man]

You really shouldn't mount an O2 sensor on a downward slope. I understand everything on these builds is a compromise, but I opted to have my O2s in a single pipe at the proper angle versus where the merge is. The car runs great like this with no issues. However, if you're running a wide-band sensor (like a Coyote build) you'll best be served by having it in the collector. Some people modify the header to merge there before the sidepipe and put the O2 there inside the engine bay as well.

Mark