I've got the B&B PRT's with Quad tips and damn if I can't get them to align even close to perfect. I've tried several times, both professionally as well as my own bare hands, and I just can't seem to get them right. Actually, both sides seem to be angled out rather than straight back. I don't think this is what it was designed to look like.

Has anyone ever had a set that couldn't be aligned and had to be returned? (Mike Ryan of B&B, are you out there?)

Anybody with any advice? Thanks,

 

If you call B&B and explain the situation to Mike Ryan there is a pretty good chance he can help you out.

Earlier this year I talked with Mike about the resonance problem I had and he was able to exchange mine for a new set. Mine had been made during a time when they were having quality control problems during manufacturing.

That said, both the original set and the new set were tough to align. The driver's side dropped right in place. The passenger side on both sets was not as easy.

If you want to give it another try yourself, here's a few things I did to get mine looking good.

1) add multiple slots in the flared area of the muffler section tube
2) use two gaskets on each flange to compensate for misalignment.
3) clamp each of the quad ovals to a stiff straight edge
4) tighten the flange fasteners, but allow some play
5) snug the clamps between the muffler and axle sections
6) loosen and retighten the c-clamps on the quad ovals making sure everything remains straight and level
7) repeat steps 4-6 two or three times, each time getting all the fasteners and clamps tighter
->You may also need to use a 4" or 6" adjustable wrench to bend or twist the hanger to fine tune the positioning.

Mine aren't perfect, but they're decent. Looking at them from behind the car they are very straight. Looking down on them from above, it's clear that a line drawn across the tips doesn't exactly match the lines of the rear end of the car. I wish it did, but they still look nice.

I hope this helps. If not, take a road trip to Illinois and I'll help you personally. Gook luck.

 

I had one side of mine that was slightly off. I ended up bending the U-shaped bracket that hold the muffler a little and it cured my prob!

 

Just put a set of PRTs on my car this weekend and I also noticed that the tips do not come straight out like the older B&B Sports that I previously had on the car. After looking at it for a while I actually like the way the tips follow the angle of the rear fascia.

With regards to aligning the tips horizontally it took about 2 hours of fighting with it to get them to line up. Once I got them where I wanted them I used the supplied clamp plus I went and bought another set of clamps to make sure they never moved

 

I'm having the same problem. My right tip is slightly off horizontally from the left tip. I messed with it a little while yesterday but could not get it straight. I'm going to have to go visit Corvettes of Houston to see if they can help me.

 

I had to fight mine to get them "pretty good", not perfect. I have learned to live with them not being dead-on straight and 'equal'.

 

Does anyone know Mike Ryan's phone number or at least a web site?
Thanks.

 

Stuffing some type of material in the rubber mounts on the inside or bottom will help you get them strait.

 

TOBASCO,

I had this problem about a year ago and I think everyone here thought I was crazy. The PRT was the darling of the forum.

Looking down on the tips from above, my drivers side was straight, ie, in line with the drive shaft. My passenger side tips were angled about 10 to 15 degrees. They weren't even close. They looked awful!. B&B sent me 3 passenger side systems and none of them allowed the tips to come straight out the back. The last set was close. The tips actually followed the slightly curved (when looking down form the top) butt of the Vette. In desperation, I loosened the driver's side pipes and angled them slightly to match the body also.

I am now happy with the way this looks. For me, no other tips look as good in that big old butt as the B&B Quad ovals (especially when you add an Eklers exhaust plate )

However, I never recommend B&B.

You can align the tips horizontally with the ground by C-clamping the 4 tips to a good straight edge (like a 4 foot level) with all the bolts loose. Tighten the bolts from the front of the car to the back.

 

Thanks for all your help. I'll keep trying, but I'm still hoping Mike Ryan sees this post and offers some help or tips. It seems like they might have a design problem.

 

Sorry to you guys are having a problem the the PRT's. My Borla XR1's lined up perfect the first time and the sound is nothing short of GREAT. Maybe time to reconsider and get a set of Borla's! :cheers: :chevy

 

Mike's toll free number at BB in AZ is 888 228 7435.

Mike is one of the better vendors we deal with, period. He will make it right, guaranteed.

RG


[Modified by RG in Dallas, 6:22 PM 9/14/2001]