Exhaust tip misalignment.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 97
From: Sandy Utah
Exhaust tip misalignment.
the exhaust tips on my car are slightly mis-aligned (approx 1/8 inch) and it is driving me crazy. I have tried loosening the clamps and forcing the proper alignment with no success. I have also noticed that almost all cars that I see have the same mis-alignment. I am convinced that the welding jig used by the mfgr is not aligned correctly. Anyone else notice this?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 717
Likes: 44
the exhaust tips on my car are slightly mis-aligned (approx 1/8 inch) and it is driving me crazy. I have tried loosening the clamps and forcing the proper alignment with no success. I have also noticed that almost all cars that I see have the same mis-alignment. I am convinced that the welding jig used by the mfgr is not aligned correctly. Anyone else notice this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 590
From: Tellico Plains Tennessee
Ask the dealer to fix it. Like my wife says "If you don't ask then the answer is no."
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 875
Likes: 311
From: Sundance WY
the exhaust tips on my car are slightly mis-aligned (approx 1/8 inch) and it is driving me crazy. I have tried loosening the clamps and forcing the proper alignment with no success. I have also noticed that almost all cars that I see have the same mis-alignment. I am convinced that the welding jig used by the mfgr is not aligned correctly. Anyone else notice this?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 6,140
Likes: 2,745
From: Northeast
You can also try to loosen and manipulate the axle backs or mid-pipe connections... If the tips are misaligned at the weld points on the mufflers, then you can try to bend them using rubber strapping so as to not mare the tips.
There are several techniques- some more involved than others, or as mentioned, take it to the dealership... but that's not always the best option. GL
There are several techniques- some more involved than others, or as mentioned, take it to the dealership... but that's not always the best option. GL
Last edited by sTz; Dec 16, 2015 at 06:12 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 295
From: Overland Park KS
I removed the two bolts and used one bolt to center the tips. It has worked well and is solid.As you can see from the unused holes, the two holes are so misaligned that the tips could never be straight with the stock setup.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Last edited by op z; Dec 16, 2015 at 06:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
Common problem. I loosened the connecting bolt between the resonators and tweaked the alignment enough to nearly eliminate the problem, then retightened. Placing the tips right next to each other kind of makes alignment critical to the eye.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,941
Likes: 12,356
From: NE South Carolina
the exhaust tips on my car are slightly mis-aligned (approx 1/8 inch) and it is driving me crazy. I have tried loosening the clamps and forcing the proper alignment with no success. I have also noticed that almost all cars that I see have the same mis-alignment. I am convinced that the welding jig used by the mfgr is not aligned correctly. Anyone else notice this?
If the welding fixture was off, they would all be off. IMO, if your pipes were inserted wrong the robot MIG welders might not put the welds in the proper location. There are several connections that can be loosened and adjusted, perhaps upstream from where you tried.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 920
Likes: 87
i must be lucky ...my 2016 c7 ..produced in August ..the tips are perfect ...the paint sucks ..but the tips are good ..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 67
From: Cumming GA
Doubt it is the fixture. My September 2013 built NPP is fine. Over the past 2 years others have posted the same issue, most have said the dealer corrected.
If the welding fixture was off, they would all be off. IMO, if your pipes were inserted wrong the robot MIG welders might not put the welds in the proper location. There are several connections that can be loosened and adjusted, perhaps upstream from where you tried.
If the welding fixture was off, they would all be off. IMO, if your pipes were inserted wrong the robot MIG welders might not put the welds in the proper location. There are several connections that can be loosened and adjusted, perhaps upstream from where you tried.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 443
Likes: 113
I would add a smaller diameter screw, nut and lockwasher in that lower hole. (just in case). Good Luck.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,941
Likes: 12,356
From: NE South Carolina
http://netwelding.com/Muffler_Rust.pdf
Very quick and easy no removing parts or masking etc as would be needed for paint. My experience with paint on exhausts is it will peel. With this product, nothing to peel! If more rusts just put more on. Note the product has a shelf life of less than a year as I recall.
Before Bottom, After Top
Last edited by JerryU; Dec 16, 2015 at 02:58 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 448
From: Upstate NY
[QUOTE=Cirrus8;1591110459]the exhaust tips on my car are slightly mis-aligned (approx 1/8 inch) and it is driving me crazy. I have tried loosening the clamps and forcing the proper alignment with no success. I have also noticed that almost all cars that I see have the same mis-alignment. I am convinced that the welding jig used by the mfgr is not aligned correctly. Anyone else notice this?
Nice C7 -love Black!
I just checked mine. Not sure if it shows good in the picture, but I put a straight edge on them and then also measured side to side and top to bottom and they are almost perfect from the factory.
Nice C7 -love Black!
I just checked mine. Not sure if it shows good in the picture, but I put a straight edge on them and then also measured side to side and top to bottom and they are almost perfect from the factory.
Last edited by glava2876; Dec 16, 2015 at 03:58 PM.