Flex exhaust hose on SS Class

StephanAlfa · Post by **StephanAlfa** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 7:25 pm

Since Lime Rock last year I have gone thru 3 exhaust systems.
The section right after the exhaust manifold keeps cracking. Twice in same spot (before 1st muffler) and now blew a hole at NHIS right after the flange by the manifold.
I had the entire system checked and rigged to accomodate track conditions.
Short of supplier/manufacturer faulty components (those Italians make great cars but bad mufflers

), this could all be body flex causing this. If I change to Flex pipes - from manifols to 1st muffler (just a small portion) just to give that extra assurance that the exhaust system is going to stay in one piece, will that constitute a change in class? I am not adding performance, just putting an OEM part to prevent the damm thing from cracking again.
Comments please.
Please refrain from telling me I should change car ... no way! Only if the new Alfa comes to market

nhsilversti · Post by **nhsilversti** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:42 pm

aside from the body roll, you think the motor mounts may be a little soft also. extra engine flex may be the root of the broken exhaust problem.

just a thought

ted

StephanAlfa · Post by **StephanAlfa** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:56 pm

nhsilversti wrote:aside from the body roll, you think the motor mounts may be a little soft also. extra engine flex may be the root of the broken exhaust problem.

just a thought

ted

Nope. Motor mounts are new this year and always checks (transmission mount too) before very event.

enjoythemusic · Post by **enjoythemusic** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:03 am

Stephan,

Have you checked the EGT and fuel mix? Don't get me going about Italian headers... though i did get mine coated by Jet-Hot. Is it cracking at the mount or a stress area, i think you allude to something like that. i had my mounts redone as Ferrari used some wacky springs that only allowed up/down movement (don't ask the price, i dumped mine when they failed for a modded one using off the shelf parts).

Got pics?

StephanAlfa · Post by **StephanAlfa** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:23 pm

Send to your e-mial that I found in your website.
Let me know if you got it as I do not know how to post it on the forum.

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:25 pm

I, for one Steward would approve the replacement of the stock rigatoni motor mounts with meatballs.

Post by **WillM** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:29 pm

StephanAlfa wrote: The section right after the exhaust manifold keeps cracking.

The SS rulebook states:

XI. SHOWROOM STOCK
RUNNING GEAR
D. ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN
6. Any part of the exhaust system beyond the header/manifold or catallytic converter, if so equipped, may be substituted with an OEM equivalent exhaust system provided it exits behind the rear sheels and outside the bodywork. Modifications of any type, including additions to, removal of or non-stock replacement of the catalytic converters, thermal restrictors, or any other pollution control devices are not allowed and the system must be operable.

I put the pertinent part of the rule in bold text. Sounds to me like a flex pipe would be perfectly legal under the rule as written. Go for it!

Post by **WillM** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:39 pm

Either fusilli or ravioli would be a more suitable replacement for the rigatoni motor mounts. Gnocchi motor mounts would require a move to ST.

StephanAlfa · Post by **StephanAlfa** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:39 pm

WillM wrote:Either fusilli or ravioli would be a more suitable replacement for the rigatoni motor mounts. Gnocchi motor mounts would require a move to ST.

Grazie, grazie, grazie. :salute: I was hoping to add a fusilli to the manicotti and see if that pasta system gives more flex.
Ciao a tutti! :hello2:

enjoythemusic · Post by **enjoythemusic** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:54 pm

StephanAlfa wrote:Send to your e-mial that I found in your website.
Let me know if you got it as I do not know how to post it on the forum.

Got the pics and here they are folks.

.
.

Post by **Mick** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:07 pm

You need a little Oregano to go with all that oil

escortracer · Post by **escortracer** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:29 pm

Here's my two cents weld a peice of metal across the two pipes to tie them together.

enjoythemusic · Post by **enjoythemusic** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:30 pm

Mick wrote:You need a little Oregano to go with all that oil

LOL Mick.

Vintage Italians cars are like that until you rebuild the motor imo and probably HELPS keep his car from rusting. Not sure the age of Steph's car, but Ferrari started some form of rustproffing (other than leaking oil LOL) in 1983. That's and Bosch K-Jet FI is why i opted for a 1985.

StephanAlfa · Post by **StephanAlfa** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:41 pm

escortracer wrote:Here's my two cents weld a peice of metal across the two pipes to tie them together.

Hi Robert;
If I do that I am then transferring the stress into some other location. The system is already accointing for all kinds of "flexing things" as you can well appreciate.
Carl's sugestion of adding a flex exhaust hose there seems to be the winner.

StephanAlfa · Post by **StephanAlfa** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:44 pm

Mick wrote:You need a little Oregano to go with all that oil

Yeah right ... my oil stays with the car... your oil at the garages is added with "Speedy flour"

Actually that black thing is more like crud coming from the turbo expresso machine

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Flex exhaust hose on SS Class

Flex exhaust hose on SS Class

Re: Flex exhaust hose on SS Class

Re: Flex exhaust hose on SS Class

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