bending titanium pipes
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 611
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From: Denver CO
bending titanium pipes
I've installed ZO6 titanium muffs on my '00 coupe and can't get the tips to quite line up in the vertical plane. The right side tips are angled down slightly compared to the left side and they end up about 1/2" lower. There doesn't appear to be much in the way of adjustment on the stock systems.
To correct a similar slight misalignment on my '70 in the past, I've just heated the outlet pipe from the muffler until it glowed red, stuck a rod or bar in the end of the pipe and tweaked it until it lined up.
Question is this: can I heat the titanium in the same way without adverse consequences??? Other suggestions??? Thanks.
To correct a similar slight misalignment on my '70 in the past, I've just heated the outlet pipe from the muffler until it glowed red, stuck a rod or bar in the end of the pipe and tweaked it until it lined up.
Question is this: can I heat the titanium in the same way without adverse consequences??? Other suggestions??? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
NNOoooooooooooooooooo! 
Try this solution first!
Get under the car, and loosen the H-pipe to Z06 exhaust bolts (2 of them on each side). You have quite a bit of play there. You can affect the angle of the exhaust tips by tightening this connection in a certian position.
It may help if you have someone checking the angle, or you do that and have someone else under the car.
Try this solution first!
Get under the car, and loosen the H-pipe to Z06 exhaust bolts (2 of them on each side). You have quite a bit of play there. You can affect the angle of the exhaust tips by tightening this connection in a certian position.
It may help if you have someone checking the angle, or you do that and have someone else under the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,840
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From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Originally Posted by bluemagoo
Thanks Dan. I've already done that but still don't have quite enough adjustment without slotting a bolt hole(s) in the titanium flange. I'd prefer not to do that.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 3
From: MD
St. Jude Donor '11
Unfortunately titanium is a difficult metal to work with. Very hard metal with very unique properties. Good luck with your project. With a little patience, you should be able to get them lined up.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Titanium is extremely difficult to work with and should really only be attempted by someone with the proper equipment.
That said, there are a couple of things you can check. Lay under the rear of the car and look in at the hangers that the muffler tabs are inserted to and make sure they are installed identically. If one is in the wrong position in the rubber hanger, it will throw the alignment off. Once you've verified that is correct, try loosening the flanges on both sides, get them level and them lock them together by taping a piece of wood to the tips to keep them aligned and have a helper hold them in position while you tighten them.
I have found the factory Ti catbacks to be very well aligned in the sets I have worked with and have always been able to get them to align nicely.
That said, there are a couple of things you can check. Lay under the rear of the car and look in at the hangers that the muffler tabs are inserted to and make sure they are installed identically. If one is in the wrong position in the rubber hanger, it will throw the alignment off. Once you've verified that is correct, try loosening the flanges on both sides, get them level and them lock them together by taping a piece of wood to the tips to keep them aligned and have a helper hold them in position while you tighten them.
I have found the factory Ti catbacks to be very well aligned in the sets I have worked with and have always been able to get them to align nicely.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,922
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, Colorado
Originally Posted by Patches
Lay under the rear of the car and look in at the hangers that the muffler tabs are inserted to and make sure they are installed identically. If one is in the wrong position in the rubber hanger, it will throw the alignment off.
Also, even if they are in the same position, maybe you'll have better luck moving one of them, and re-adjusting everything else.
Good luck.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 246
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From: Daytona Beach, Florida
Originally Posted by bluemagoo
I've installed ZO6 titanium muffs on my '00 coupe and can't get the tips to quite line up in the vertical plane. The right side tips are angled down slightly compared to the left side and they end up about 1/2" lower. There doesn't appear to be much in the way of adjustment on the stock systems.
To correct a similar slight misalignment on my '70 in the past, I've just heated the outlet pipe from the muffler until it glowed red, stuck a rod or bar in the end of the pipe and tweaked it until it lined up.
Question is this: can I heat the titanium in the same way without adverse consequences??? Other suggestions??? Thanks.
To correct a similar slight misalignment on my '70 in the past, I've just heated the outlet pipe from the muffler until it glowed red, stuck a rod or bar in the end of the pipe and tweaked it until it lined up.
Question is this: can I heat the titanium in the same way without adverse consequences??? Other suggestions??? Thanks.
Just keep in mind you are trying to twist the H pipe, you will see a lot more movement, but it will want to spring back, so you have to hold it in place then retighten the manifold couplings. Mine has stayed in place ever since.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 611
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From: Denver CO
Dave, thanks for the suggestion. I will try this technique. I have a 4-post lift so it shouldn't take that much effort!! To several others, thanks for the caveats about bending the Ti pipes - I'd rather not experience that sinking feeling when one of the tubes breaks. Finding a competent and reasonable welder could be tough.
