Downpipe touching oil pan and transfer case... Problem?

[eclipsegsx1736]

I noticed the flex section of my downpipe is touching the transfer case and barely touching the oil pan, would it be a good idea to use some heatwrap on the downpipe? Or would it not affect anything enough to matter? I'm worried about the downpipe heating up the oil and t-case on long sessions at the track.

 

[GVR4592]

It shouldn't touch anything. If it's rubbing against the t-case or oil pan, eventually something is going to wear through.

 

[gridlyne]

If its the flexpipe thats touching something, then its not the oil pan I would worry about. I think the flex pipe would be the one to go first. Deffinetly try to move it out the way as much as you can.

 

[GVR4592]

If its the flexpipe thats touching something, then its not the oil pan I would worry about. I think the flex pipe would be the one to go first. Deffinetly try to move it out the way as much as you can.

Most flex sections are two pieces. The outer stainless braid, and an inner steel flex pipe. It would wear through the oil pan if given enough time.

 

[larsrya8]

My 3 inch RNR downpipe is also touching my oil pan. It's the flex section, where it attaches to the rest of the pipe. The actually flexible part itself isn't touching the pan. Should I take the downpipe off and grind that "ridge" around the flex section down a little bit?

I'm going to email RNR about this in the morning... just to see what they have to say. I just noticed this a few weeks ago and haven't done anything about it yet.

 

[gridlyne]

My downpipe is also touching my oil pan. I dont see a problem with my car. The way I see it, anything before the flex pipe can touch since they dont really rub that much. Anything before that flex should be moving with the engine.

 

[GVR4592]

My downpipe is also touching my oil pan. I dont see a problem with my car. The way I see it, anything before the flex pipe can touch since they dont really rub that much. Anything before that flex should be moving with the engine.

You whole exhaust system moves regardless of the flex pipe.

 

[larsrya8]

You whole exhaust system moves regardless of the flex pipe.

Without a "flexible" joint, how can anything that is securely bolted to the motor move independent of it? I'm fairly sure my head, exhaust manifold and turbo aren't moving differently than the block is. Maybe it can vibrate... but wouldn't we hear that? Especially with a hollow 3 inch pipe magnifying the sound?

 

[GVR4592]

Without a "flexible" joint, how can anything that is securely bolted to the motor move independent of it? I'm fairly sure my head, exhaust manifold and turbo aren't moving differently than the block is. Maybe it can vibrate... but wouldn't we hear that? Especially with a hollow 3 inch pipe magnifying the sound?

I read it wrong. It thought he was saying everything after the flex pipe wouldn't move.

The exhaust (pre flex section or post flex section) shouldn't touch anything though, if it does then it wasn't fabricated properly and needs to be fixed.

I've had similar problem's with my exhaust. It came on the car when I bought it and it had been touching the diff and driveshaft occasionally. It wore right through the exhaust and put a deep gouge in the driveshaft.

 

[4pistons]

My flex section was against my oil pan too. I bought a 2-1/2" exhaust flange and used it as a spacer between the O2 housing and the downpipe. Now I have plenty of space so the oil doesn't heat up and nothing will wear through.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[larsrya8]

My flex section was against my oil pan too. I bought a 2-1/2" exhaust flange and used it as a spacer between the O2 housing and the downpipe. Now I have plenty of space so the oil doesn't heat up and nothing will wear through.

Rick - '91 GSX

Hmm... that won't help on my O2-eliminator downpipe. I don't see any damage occuring at the moment, so I'm not really in a rush to take that whole thing apart to fix it. Maybe when I do my next oil change. Or maybe there's some sort of "extra thick" turbo to manifold gasket I could use? It just needs to move down a little bit.

 

[DSM90AWD]

Mine was pretty tight to my x-fer case due to the slightly steeper exit angle of my VP O2 housing so I wrapped the SS flex (only the part that nearly touched) the with a loop of some thermal wrap I had laying about just so be safe. Don't do this with mild steel as the wrap retains moisture so will promote rust.

BTW.. do you have all the OEM hangers referenced with your turbo-back? Any room to "tweek" them to give a bit more clearance?

 

[ericbev]

The EVO3 O2 housing did the same thing with my Buschur 3in TB unit. I had to get a little creative to tweak that 3in stainless but I got it to where I am confortable with it.

Moving exhaust hangers probably wouldnt gain him anything since its the DP to O2 flange position/angle that is giving him the trouble. I know when I first tightened mine up that DP was wedged against the T-case with the fury.

 

[larsrya8]

Exhaust wrap sounds like a good idea. When I do my oil change I'll take off the downpipe (b/c the turbo has to drop as well) and see if I can simply grind that ridge down. If I can't, I'll wrap it. It definitely looks like it was welded wrong, because the rest of the exhaust is relatively level, but the downpipe curves up towards the oil pan, and then the flex section is angled back down. I have no clearance issues with the rest of the exhaust.

edit: I emailed Ryan Fellows at RNR to get his input on this.

 

[eclipsegsx1736]

Exhaust wrap sounds like a good idea. When I do my oil change I'll take off the downpipe (b/c the turbo has to drop as well) and see if I can simply grind that ridge down. If I can't, I'll wrap it. It definitely looks like it was welded wrong, because the rest of the exhaust is relatively level, but the downpipe curves up towards the oil pan, and then the flex section is angled back down. I have no clearance issues with the rest of the exhaust.

edit: I emailed Ryan Fellows at RNR to get his input on this.

Mine is the exact shape, it curves up slightly before the flex section causing the flex section to have to bend slightly to keep the rest of the exhaust level. I'll use some heat wrap next chance I get.

 

[larsrya8]

Ryan Fellow's response:

Do you have pics? If the car is older it will have sagging motor mounts which will cause this because the downpipes fits so tight. Ryan

I'll take pictures tomorrow and send them to him, so he can see the problem. It's a little hard to describe in words.