Dragging Collector Pipe During Hard Turns

[Mark K]

There's a twisty road in the foothills near my house that calls for spirited driving (when safe, of course). One of the turns is an off-camber right-hander that dips at the apex. When I'm going fast enough, the car leans just enough to scrape the bottom-most exhaust collector pipe on the driver side.

Anyone else run into this situation?

- m

[Rdone585]

What are your tire pressures, ride height, and springs? The only way to counteract that amount of body roll is by adjusting ride height and spring rates. I'm assuming your tire pressure isn't too low.

[NiceGuyEddie]

15 years into this Factory Five stuff and I've never heard of this! Hardly anybody's engine, sidepipes, etc. are 100% level and square but I've never heard of a collector hit the ground in any situation.

[Bob Cowan]

Don't worry about it. It will eventually clearance itself. ;)

[NAZ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc7ontZ0f5w

[AC Bill]

What is your ride height set at? As stiff as these cars are, there is still a certain amount of roll that takes place..:p

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFHwfJDfHsU

[Mark K]

I think that's what's happening. Four inch main tubes are 4.5" front, and 4.75" rear. However, the collector tubes are probably only 3" or less. Right turn, my driver weight, off camber, and an apex dip/bump all combining to create the right condition.

[AC Bill]

Easy fix would be to take that corner a wee bit slower in the future. Besides a scratched up side pipe, you really don't want to risk possibly damaging your exhaust manifold.

I suppose you could start changing spring rates, add a sway bar, or modifying your suspension, but if it happens infrequently, why bother.

[Jeff Kleiner]

If your sidepipes are that low you must have shorty headers with j-pipes or cats. That being the case it sounds like they have come loose and pivoted down at the ball flange. Bring them back up where they belong, crank the heck out of the bolts at the flange and maybe consider adding a set of the Darkwater front hangers or fabricating your own.

Jeff

[steno]

In addition to what Jeff said, you can put a hose clamp around the rubber hanger and crank it tighter which can raise your pipes on the hanger end. I have shortie headers and the heavy Flowmaster slimlines, and they haven’t moved in 4 years.

[Mark K]

Thanks for the recommendations. All good ideas - I'll start looking into them.

[NC Cobra]

146099Had a similar issue with droopy side pipes when I bought my car. Honking on the bolts would help for about a month but got old. Put together the attached brace which has solved the problem for the past year. Before and after photos attached. 146098

[Fman]

I think that's what's happening. Four inch main tubes are 4.5" front, and 4.75" rear. However, the collector tubes are probably only 3" or less. Right turn, my driver weight, off camber, and an apex dip/bump all combining to create the right condition.

Mark, are you running exhaust hangers?

[Dewey McBride]

If your sidepipes are that low you must have shorty headers with j-pipes or cats. That being the case it sounds like they have come loose and pivoted down at the ball flange. Bring them back up where they belong, crank the heck out of the bolts at the flange and maybe consider adding a set of the Darkwater front hangers or fabricating your own.

Jeff

Spot on Jeff! I have a 4.6 DOHC with shorty headers and cats. The tips of my exhaust are only 2.75 inches from the ground. The pipes have a slight tilt to it. The off camber twisties get me. i'll try to crank down my hangers.

Thanks,
Dewey

[Mark K]

Mark, are you running exhaust hangers?

Hi, Travis. Yep, using the rubber hangers from the kit. The bracket is attached to both bolts on the side of the exhaust pipe, and it's hanging from the chassis using the middle hole of the bracket. The hole at the very end of the bracket isn't connected to anything. I seem to recall reading that this method would prevent cracking at the exhaust tab mounting area.

[Mark K]

Thanks again for all your advice! Indeed, the driver's side j-pipe bolts were loose, and the whole assembly was hanging down. Torqued 'em down as hard as I could, this time with blue locktite. Also added a j-pipe hanger, and hose-clamped FFR rubber hangers at the other ends of both side pipes.

Will test through the weekend and make sure it all holds together.

146376

[Jeff Kleiner]

Thanks again for all your advice! Indeed, the driver's side j-pipe bolts were loose, and the whole assembly was hanging down. Torqued 'em down as hard as I could, this time with blue locktite. Also added a j-pipe hanger, and hose-clamped FFR rubber hangers at the other ends of both side pipes.

Will test through the weekend and make sure it all holds together.

146376

That'll work but you really need jamb nuts on that turnbuckle so that it holds the adjustment.

Jeff

[Mark K]

Will do...thank you!