Headers, Sidepipes and fitment

[Wizbangdoodle]

Now that I have my car back from paint, I'm trying to get all the little things sorted out.

I have a 408W with Gas-N headers and the FF sidepipes. Passenger side fits fine, but the footbox on the drivers side makes it so I have to push the ball collector forward so it does not contact the footbox. Which means that the pipe angles out quite a ways.

I know I'll need some Breeze wedges to get this correct, I'm just not sure how far I need to go. The wedges I'm considering say they will change the pipe angle 1.5". My question is, where is that measured from? From the mid brace on the pipe? From the very end of the pipe? If I'm looking at this correctly, I may need to bring it in 3". Can someone give some guidance on what and how many wedges I may need. To you multiple car builders, do you have some sort of procedure you follow to get this measurement? Thanks.

[JayOH]

I have no direct experience with the wedges and exhaust fit up yet, however I do love myself some math.

I would think you just need to solve the old geometry problem. Above you say the wedges will change pipe angle 1.5”. I assume you mean 1.5 degrees? If so proceed to the equation below. If the 1.5” is correct sounds like they already do the math for you and to get 3” you need 2 wedges.

sin(alpha) = opposite / hypotenuse

In this case opposite is 3inches in your case, hypotenuse is the length (in inches) from the wedge to the exhaust tip. Solve for alpha then divide that by 1.5 to tell you how many wedges needed.

[bobl]

Now that I have my car back from paint, I'm trying to get all the little things sorted out.

I have a 408W with Gas-N headers and the FF sidepipes. Passenger side fits fine, but the footbox on the drivers side makes it so I have to push the ball collector forward so it does not contact the footbox. Which means that the pipe angles out quite a ways.

I know I'll need some Breeze wedges to get this correct, I'm just not sure how far I need to go. The wedges I'm considering say they will change the pipe angle 1.5". My question is, where is that measured from? From the mid brace on the pipe? From the very end of the pipe? If I'm looking at this correctly, I may need to bring it in 3". Can someone give some guidance on what and how many wedges I may need. To you multiple car builders, do you have some sort of procedure you follow to get this measurement? Thanks.

Install the side pipes with washers to establish the desired angle. Then measure the thickness needed to order wedges. I've had 2 instances that I actually had to cut the ball connector and reweld it with a different angle to fit existing body cutouts. It might help if you posted some photos of your issue.

Bob

[Norm B]

I like math too but, sometimes it just fails me in these situations. I would support the side pipe along the body where you want it then bolt it to the header flange with a couple of longer bolts. Now you can measure the difference at the front and back of the flange to see how many of the wedges you need.
HTH
Norm

[Wizbangdoodle]

I have no direct experience with the wedges and exhaust fit up yet, however I do love myself some math.

I would think you just need to solve the old geometry problem. Above you say the wedges will change pipe angle 1.5”. I assume you mean 1.5 degrees? If so proceed to the equation below. If the 1.5” is correct sounds like they already do the math for you and to get 3” you need 2 wedges.

sin(alpha) = opposite / hypotenuse

In this case opposite is 3inches in your case, hypotenuse is the length (in inches) from the wedge to the exhaust tip. Solve for alpha then divide that by 1.5 to tell you how many wedges needed.

I like the way you're thinking, but I don't know that it is talking about degrees. Breeze website just mentions that each wedge will move the pipe in or out a certain distance. I called Breeze a couple of months ago and spoke with Mark, but didn't get a conclusive answer to my question.


Install the side pipes with washers to establish the desired angle. Then measure the thickness needed to order wedges. I've had 2 instances that I actually had to cut the ball connector and reweld it with a different angle to fit existing body cutouts. It might help if you posted some photos of your issue.

Bob

Let's hope I don't have to cut anything. I like the washer idea, that might solve my problem.


I like math too but, sometimes it just fails me in these situations. I would support the side pipe along the body where you want it then bolt it to the header flange with a couple of longer bolts. Now you can measure the difference at the front and back of the flange to see how many of the wedges you need.
HTH
Norm

I can use this and Bob's idea to get the correct measurement I need. I'll be on this first thing in the morning.

[CraigS]

I am about 95% sure the measurement is at the outlet end of the pipe.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I do them like Bob. I mock the pipes up using shims then then measure the thickness front vs rear and order wedges accordingly. If I end up needing multiple shims (which is usually the case with Gas'N headers &/or pipes) I assemble the wedges to the pipes using Permatex Ultra Copper high temp RTV silicone then let that set up before putting the pipes on. Much easier than trying to keep multiple gaskets and wedges in place while getting everything in place.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=223917&d=1647105286

And yes, these are Gas'N pipes being used with their headers and yes, that's how many wedges it required :eek:

On a semi related note...I think your car has already been painted. This should have all been worked out prior to paint because when you start changing the sidepipe angle the body to pipe cutout changes as well. Hopefully you don't find that there is interference.

Good luck,
Jeff

223917

[Wizbangdoodle]

Thanks Jeff, that visual really helps me picture what I'll need to do. From what I can tell, my cutouts should be ok. Was messing with it this morning and it looks like I'll need 2 of the thickest ones, the ones that move it 1.5" each wedge.

What is it about the Gas-N pipes that make them require so many wedges? I was told by many that their pipes were higher quality than FFR pipes.

[rich grsc]

Plain & simple, they fit like sh-t

[Jeff Kleiner]

What is it about the Gas-N pipes that make them require so many wedges? I was told by many that their pipes were higher quality than FFR pipes.

They are well crafted, but like Rich said…

If you haven’t use 2 of the thickest wedges to kick the end of the pipes outward I would not be surprised if the pipes end up conflicting with the front edge of the body cutout. Hope not.

Jeff

[Wizbangdoodle]

They are well crafted, but like Rich said…

If you haven’t use 2 of the thickest wedges to kick the end of the pipes outward I would not be surprised if the pipes end up conflicting with the front edge of the body cutout. Hope not.

Jeff

I'm trying to get the end pushed in, towards the body. Right now, the pipe is more like a curb feeler.;)

I've got the pipe setup right now with the correct alignment and a gap in the collector. With it set like this, my cutout seems to be fine, with clearance all around the pipes. I'll order my wedges and hope my calculations are correct.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'm trying to get the end pushed in, towards the body. Right now, the pipe is more like a curb feeler.;)

I've got the pipe setup right now with the correct alignment and a gap in the collector. With it set like this, my cutout seems to be fine, with clearance all around the pipes. I'll order my wedges and hope my calculations are correct.

Oh, I misunderstood. You need to bring the tip of the pipe inward, not out. In that case the rear edge of the cutout could potentially conflict with the pipe.

Jeff

[Bill Elliott]

No wedges and I am happy with the fit.

223922

[ggunter]

Nice looking, love the color.

[OB6]

No wedges and I am happy with the fit.

223922

Nice looking car. I was lucky too, and no wedges needed. I know GasN made changes to their jigs to address the wedge issue. Not sure if that universally solved the problem(s).

[Wizbangdoodle]

Nice looking car. I was lucky too, and no wedges needed. I know GasN made changes to their jigs to address the wedge issue. Not sure if that universally solved the problem(s).

I wonder how long ago that was. I initially had a fitment problem on these headers at the flange that mounts to the engine, but Gas'n fixed that at no charge. I purchased these headers probably a year ago. If they have addressed the collector not being quite right, that would be nice.