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This just happened today. It is on the passenger side. I wanted to know if it can be repaired. I called one muffler shop and they said if it is stainless steel It can't be welded. I just wanted some opinions or advice so I don't get taken advantage of because I'm a girl You guys are the best BTW!! I have learned so much here in the few months I have owned my car. Thanks in advance!!!
Last edited by gerrigirl; Mar 1, 2010 at 07:24 PM.
Reason: picture added
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Ummm ur pic link isn't working.
Edit:
Btw, if it's the one I think it is, then the answer is yes it can be welded. There were a great many C5 Vettes, especially in the earlier year models that suffered cracked/broken exhaust flange welds. The fault was with with the vendor that Chevrolet was using to manufacture these.
Last edited by LoneStarFRC; Mar 1, 2010 at 07:20 PM.
Reason: Add info.
Stay away from that muffler shop...stainless steel is a cinch to weld. You'll have to line up your tailpipes and tack that back together, then drop the mid-pipe and weld the flange right around. No worries
Are the pipes made from stainless though? My 02Z looks like it had aluminized mild steel tubing for the midpipe. Still weldable, so who cares, I guess...
Not sure where you are located, but another option is to put a WTB in the parts section for the stock mid-section pipe. You should be able to find one close, cheap (if not for free) and you will get new CATs to boot. Then it is simply a bolt in replacement. I know there is a stack of them at Carlisle every year that are thrown away.
well that's good to hear!! I guess I will call around to find one that will do it. Do you think one of the "chain muffler shops " would be able to do it or should I try to find smaller shop?
Good idea. If I cant get it fixed I will try this. I am in eastern Pa. Thanks
Originally Posted by vettenuts
Not sure where you are located, but another option is to put a WTB in the parts section for the stock mid-section pipe. You should be able to find one close, cheap (if not for free) and you will get new CATs to boot. Then it is simply a bolt in replacement. I know there is a stack of them at Carlisle every year that are thrown away.
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by gerrigirl
well that's good to hear!! I guess I will call around to find one that will do it. Do you think one of the "chain muffler shops " would be able to do it or should I try to find smaller shop?
Yes. Most muffler shops come across welding situations fairly frequently and are usually good at welding pipe. It's like anything else though, it's the ability of the employees working there that makes the difference. This happened to my old original pipes years ago and it was welded successfully and lasted for years.
Like It's_Go_Time said, they'll need to hold everything in proper position and tack weld first, then remove the center section and make a weld all the way around the flange. If the other side hasn't started cracking, etc, it's highly likely it too may suffer the same fate so I would have them lay a bead all the way around the driver's side too.
I had the same problem, I was fortunate enough to have access to a welder and did it myself. There is no reason a muffler shop couldn't repair that as good as new, you should also ask them to check the other side while they are under there, best to get them both welded at the same time so the same thing doesn't happen to the other side.
It's hit or miss at a chain shop -- you might get an artist with a welder working there or a guy who skipped all the classes on welding in high school shop...
Stainless can definitely be welded with the right materials.
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
Mine broke like that. It was the cat back side, not the h pipe with cats. Yes it can be welded. Lining it up is a cinch because it fits perfect because of the weld, sort of like a jigsaw puzzle the piece goes only one way. People give these away all the time.
Wouldn't use a chain shop just had a bad experience with one They didn't fix my problem at all and it was a simple fix to!! Went to a mom and pops muffler shop and found someone I will use for the life of my FRC NO CHAIN STORE just my .2c
Last edited by Vetts4life; Mar 2, 2010 at 10:14 PM.
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