Am I the only one that thinks flexible exhaust pipe is cool if used properly.I don't see flexible exhaust used ever. I first used it in 1954 when I split the manifold on my Mopar 6 and that was the only way to get to a ridgid pipe. We didn't have muffler shops that could custom bend pipes then. Auburn and Duesenberg used flex right off the engine so it was cool then and here's a pic of my 34 p/u which has a 100% stainless exhaust system including the flex pipe. What do you think. Any of you guys use flex
The biggest down side with the kind of flex tubing you asked about is that it leaks. It also tends to wear out and fail if subjected to a lot of movement or vibration. But if used in a location where exhaust leakage isn't an issue, it is an option. Flex tube was used on some old cars , but I have only seen it used as a cosmetic covering over the real pipe, or as cover for insulation over the actual pipe, but never as the pipe itself. There is a type of flex tube that looks like bellows and is usually covered with woven stainless. Wany modern cars, especially FWD cars, have a short section of it to accommodate engine movement. While that type doesn't leak, and can tolerate more movement, it is expensive and doesn't look the same as what you asked about.
I don't have the 34 on the road yet so I don't know if it will develop leaks. It didn't leak during breakin. We'll have to see
I think Al is right about the Cords/Duesenberg using flex covering over an internal pipe. I "think" I recall seeing that under a hood at a show. I could be wrong. Anyways, there was a thread a couple months back about triple flex pipes on a flathead V8 Model A roadster. Some thought it looked cheap, some liked it.
well , since you asked what we thought....it looks like you were too lazy to do the job properly and took the easy way out. remember you asked you could get a pipe bent , or get some mandrel u-bends and weld it up and have a real nice installation
Just because you can't see anything doesn't mean it isn't leaking enough to cause problems. That's why you don't use it anywhere the escaping g***es can find their way the where the driver and p***engers are. Under the right/wrong conditions you may also see some condensation dripping from the pipe.
Does it leak? Most likley. Does it look cheesy? To some. Open any book on pre/post WW2 dry lake racing, it's everywhere. Been running this system 2 years, no problems.
I used stainless flex pipe between the pipes and the exhaust and it has held up well. Leaks - I dunno, maybe but I don't really care. As said earlier, I saw flex pipe used in 1940's pictures and I never liked the solid pipes going from lakes pipes under the car on traditional cars. Sorry for the bad picture.
depends on how its used, swissmikes looks killer, I would prefer to see the OP's truck with solid exhaust. But it does go with the truck, diamond plate, fuel cell, trailer lights on the bed. I dont think anyones going to har*** you for the flex pipe
Flexible exhaust pipe. Can we say "Mickey Mouse" or "Rat Rod" ? Flexible exhaust pipe should be used for mockup purposes only for things like exhaust or rad hoses, then hit the trash can where it belongs once proper parts have been installed.
If your buying cheap aftermarket stuff if could be a problem. Take a look at Ford stuff ******s, Tracers, Countour, Mistique and other front wheel drive cars with 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L Zetec engines. The factory installed 6" flex pipe on these because of forward and backward engine movement and they all worked very well with no leaks. These were built to last because of the clean air act of 1990. They had to meet or exceed exhaust system standards.
Good advice and comments so far. i used s/s flex because it was about $30 and two s/s bends are about $300
There are differences between flex tube grades. I got mine form McMaster Carr and is stainless and I could have bought a lot more rigid stainless for the same money. The ends are welded to stainless tubing pieces where they meet the exhaust. Mickey Mouse - not necessarily...
How does about the sound? I guess it sounds softer and quieter but kinda rubbish like rusty pipe. I'm pretty sure that causes more backpressure than same size pipe.
In post #2 I mentioned the stuff OEMs use. That's an entirely different product than the guy is asking about.
Swissmikes looks good IMO. I also like the horizontal collector up high. Nice Also, because his collector runs much higher up, a solid pipe that would have to curve down and under so far, probably would cause either loose bolts on the header flanges or stress cracks in the pipes?
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