Well...I should have know things couldn't go smoothly for long. I noticed the other day that it sounded like I had an exhaust leak. Figured that a bolt may have come loose. Not with my luck!! I found two 3" cracks on my downpipe. "Guess I should have had that flexpipe installed after all" I'm looking for some directions on how to get a new downpipe. Anyone's input would be greatly appreciated!!

I've heard of that happening before with the STAR downpipes.

Here's what I'd do. No matter where the crack is, I'd just take your car to the nearest midas or whatever and get them to weld up the crack and install a flex section. Shouldn't be a big deal at all. I've talked to numerous muffler shops and for them to fabricate a downpipe is cake, much less to repair an existing one and install a flex section. I doubt what you're describing is that big of a deal save for the hassle of paying the cash to get it fixed and tiem waiting for it to be completed. It also may be easier for you to purchase a flex section ahead of time just in case the muffler shop doesn't have one.

Good luck!

Jason
98' Eagle Talon ESi-T
Mitsu Super 16g Turbo(HRC)


http://springfielddsm.homestead.com/JasonsPics.html

_____________________________________
Jason ESi-T

04' BMW 325Ci
91' Nissan 240SX
98' Eagle Talon ESi (sold)

Yes...finding a flex pipe with the correct sized inside diameter is hard...so make sure you have one before hand!

For the STAR ppl, get a 2.5" I.D. flex section.


l e o n

can someone explain where exactly on the bottom of the downpipe the flex should go? im not familiar with the downpipes shape yet so it seems that the placement is critical and should be put where the lowest point of the pipe is sitting. is this true? can someone post a pic of just the downpipe and point it out to me?
thanks
http://www.geocities.com/blue2gnt
blue2gnt@hotmail.com AOL IM - ThreeRedDiamonds

1995 Eclipse GS - HRC Stage 2 - Retired.
2004 350z Enthusiast / 2008 Nissan Versa SL

damn, that sucks!
Check this out.
Might help you out.
http://www.roadraceengineering.com/exhaustparts.htm

They have flex sections.Wyatt Leras
http://www.turbogs.com
98 Eclipse GS Star Stage 5,000 Turbo kit

my downpipe had cracked before i had bought the kit. It broke completely in half about 3" from the turbo. We ended up buying a new 16 gauge mandrel bend from summit and replaced the whole first bend. It is pretty good now. I added a 2.5" flex section about 6 inches from where the cat flange is on dp. Another thing i recommend is welding a bracket to the downpipe like how the stock downpipe has one that bolts to the block. It will help keep that first elbow from wanting to twist off the flange.


jason
95 GS turbo

Thank you all for your help. I'm glad I didn't go and spend $300 bucks for a new downpipe. Now I can keep saving for that Stage II upgrade!!