Exhaust distance
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo MO
Are you talking about where it pipes pass under the leaf at the diff? The mono leaf spring i put on my car years ago came with a thin aluminum shield that bolted between the spring and the plate, I am assuming for this reason. But, I have noticed that the kits in years since do not have them. I have not heard of or saw any signs of problems with the cars with out the shield, and the exhaust in the factory position. Which is quite close. Within an inch or so it seems. Maybe closer? Those springs are tough.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Orange massachusettes
VB&P and others, recomend 3 inch clearance MINIMUM. The heat shield should be used (cheap and easy) and will help w/routing the pipes under the spring, since you can NOW route pipes closer than 3 inch. The bigger problem is where the pipes curve UP once under/ past the spring, heading into rear mufflers. Many systems have LESS than an inch clearance here. Custom exhaust or modified stock type pipes w/ proper clearance (3 inch) are the real answer, althou header wrap/heat sheiding for pipes will help. There was a thread about glass mono spring breakage do to heat recently. No one was hurt as the spring broke at low speed. The spring was less than a 1yr old. SCARY!
Last edited by 72 LT1; May 25, 2007 at 06:25 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Crunch
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I am planning on wrapping mine from the header to the muffler anyway, but I would recommend wrapping the section under the spring 6" before and after the spring. That way you can get closer than 3" if you need to and its cheap insurance. The 2" exhaust wrap is good tuff stuff and does a great job of keeping the heat from radiating.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
I just wrap the spring itself locally with heat resistant material then cover with aluminum and seal ends so it wont come apart. Maybe a little bubba but it seems to work fine and hasnt come apart.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,435
Likes: 1,463
From: Little Rock AR
Wrap the spring. The spring will not rust like the pipes will with the wrap on them. 
-Mark.
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