loose object inside z06 muffler
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 67
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From: Lakewood CO
loose object inside z06 muffler
I bought a set of used c5 z06 titanium catbacks for my '97 coupe. Was getting ready to install them and noticed that there is some piece of metal rattling around loose inside the left muffler. By shaking it I determined that it is in the outboard chamber. It almost sounds like someone dropped a nut in it.
Can anyone suggest a way to get this out? Would an exhaust shop be able to cut a hole and then weld up the titanium?
Can anyone suggest a way to get this out? Would an exhaust shop be able to cut a hole and then weld up the titanium?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
Unless it rattles like hell on the car I wouldn't touch it why cut a nice Ti muffler.
If your sure it is a nut, and not a baffle rattling, try twisting the muffler in all ways to see if you can get it to fall out the inlet or one of the outlets.
If your sure it is a nut, and not a baffle rattling, try twisting the muffler in all ways to see if you can get it to fall out the inlet or one of the outlets.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 4
From: Lakewood CO
This is not a loose baffle. It is some object. Will try to shake it out, but have not had any success with that so far.
I don't mind having it cut and patched, just want to know if that is feasible with a titanium muffler. Anyone?
I don't mind having it cut and patched, just want to know if that is feasible with a titanium muffler. Anyone?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 1,212
From: Wisconsin
Titanium is hard to weld and expensive. You should check around local and find someone with experience welding titanium. The thin skin of the muffler might not be able to be repaired
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I wonder if it is slag from the previous car and a careless cutting job. I once saw a guy leave what looked like stalactites inside a tailpipe joint for a nice top line BMW 7. It was an eye opener, but I am not about to tell a guy with a live torch in his hand that he could do better, and would he like a little advice from a bystander.
I would get a big magnet and see if that will stabilize the object. Once I got a hold of the thing, I would try to move it , if possible to the outside or leave it in an optimal location and secure against the magnet falling off the car and becoming a safety concern.
Old speakers would be a likely source of a cheap magnet. If it works, perhaps a better shape could be found.
I would get a big magnet and see if that will stabilize the object. Once I got a hold of the thing, I would try to move it , if possible to the outside or leave it in an optimal location and secure against the magnet falling off the car and becoming a safety concern.
Old speakers would be a likely source of a cheap magnet. If it works, perhaps a better shape could be found.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 4
From: Lakewood CO
Magnet was no help. I cut into the flat ends of each muffler and found that the previous owner's catalytic converters had self-destructed, blowing chunks of the porcelain honeycomb back into the mufflers.
End plate thickness is approximately .050". Found a local fab shop that welds titanium, bought a 6" x 6" piece of .063" sheet titanium from McMaster-Carr online for patches, problem will be solved next week.
End plate thickness is approximately .050". Found a local fab shop that welds titanium, bought a 6" x 6" piece of .063" sheet titanium from McMaster-Carr online for patches, problem will be solved next week.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I wish I would have seen this post sooner. I was going to suggest that it was the remenants of a bad cat. I have a picture of a cut open Ti muffler:
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