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[pauls]

Iam trying to fit a set of tips to my 2 pipe outlet back box. but the pipes are two close together. Could i heat these up with a plumbers torch and try and separate them or will it damage the pipes. ideas please

[STEMO]

Just get a big, fat tip.......ooooooer.......the oval shaped ones, and incorporate both pipes.

Vrooooooooommmm.......you go really fast with that on.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Thing is, if you try and move them apart they'll move in a 'V' not parallel, like you'd want them to. I suppose over such a short distance you're not going to notice that much, being so low down, too. You might have to take some off the length of the aftermarket tailpipes you've got, to help you out. 


I've got two chrome tips on my backbox no real issue, though they do touch and probably rub a bit, too.

If you don't want to go messing with your backbox then the next option is to chop/shave a thin sliver off the inside edge of both extra tailpipes.

I'm surprised they don't go on, though, I mean they can't be more than 1-2mm thick metal, and if they're touching and still won't go on that suggests there's less than 2-4mm gap between the existing backbox tailpipes, which is very very tight and unusual... 

[pauls]

Exhaust pipe out of the box are not straight. They nearly touch at the ends. Thats why iam having so much grief

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Well, one of those 'try it but if it goes wrong then don't blame me' moments... 

You could try banging a wedge in between the pipes, to slowly tease them apart.

Another thought is to stick a bit of, eg: scaffold inside the each of the pipes. One behind such as a gatepost, the other you sit there slowly swinging on, to pull them apart. Hopefully this should be able to be done in a controlled manner, a half a mm at a time, sort of thing.

Either option of course risks splitting the seam of weld at the base of the tailpipes. I'd imagine/hope the sheet metal will deform enough to move the pipes apart. Again, no promises, never done it before! 

[VXL V6]

Exhaust pipe out of the box are not straight. They nearly touch at the ends. Thats why iam having so much grief

Seems to be quite common on the ETS boxes. I think the easiest option would be work out how far back the trims go and where the mounting pinches against the pipe and then cut the pipes back to just proud of that area which should buy you a bit more of a gap.

By the way, which trims did you buy?

[Kevin Wood]

Could always cut a slot / wedge in the outer side of one of the pipes, bend it and then weld it up.

[pauls]

Exhaust pipe out of the box are not straight. They nearly touch at the ends. Thats why iam having so much grief

Seems to be quite common on the ETS boxes. I think the easiest option would be work out how far back the trims go and where the mounting pinches against the pipe and then cut the pipes back to just proud of that area which should buy you a bit more of a gap.

By the way, which trims did you buy?

I picked up a couple of stainless ones from ripspeed.

[VXL V6]

Exhaust pipe out of the box are not straight. They nearly touch at the ends. Thats why iam having so much grief

Seems to be quite common on the ETS boxes. I think the easiest option would be work out how far back the trims go and where the mounting pinches against the pipe and then cut the pipes back to just proud of that area which should buy you a bit more of a gap.

By the way, which trims did you buy?

I picked up a couple of stainless ones from ripspeed.

Let me know if they stay rust free!

[pauls]

Havnt found any yet that dont

will let you know

[minifreek]

Exhaust pipe out of the box are not straight. They nearly touch at the ends. Thats why iam having so much grief

Seems to be quite common on the ETS boxes. I think the easiest option would be work out how far back the trims go and where the mounting pinches against the pipe and then cut the pipes back to just proud of that area which should buy you a bit more of a gap.

By the way, which trims did you buy?

I picked up a couple of stainless ones from ripspeed.

Let me know if they stay rust free!

They won't....

[05omegav6]

You could try a bit of heat and then use a breaker bar in the tail pipe to lever it in the appropriate direction

[johnnydog]

Using a breaker bar, you risk distorting the shape of the tailpipe. It needs a piece pipe that is an internal snug fit in the pipe with no free play to ensure they stay round.

[Nick W]

Be careful how much force you apply as not only can you distort the pipes, but the seams of the box are only crimped not welded. Which means you can bugger them up  very easily.


Personally I can't see why you would want to draw attention to something as ugly as a pipe sticking out from the bumper by adding an extra trim.

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Using a breaker bar, you risk distorting the shape of the tailpipe. It needs a piece pipe that is an internal snug fit in the pipe with no free play to ensure they stay round.

Jack handle could be the right size, perhaps...

As for keeping them rust free - a good polish with Autosol and fine-grade wire wool, followed by a metal sealant (or indeed try Britemax's Metal Twins*, polish and sealant in one kit) - and make sure you dry them as much as possible after washing the car. Will extend the life, but the rust will get them eventually.

*Do not Google this product without the manufacturers name. At least if the other half is watching...

[Andy H]

When my ETS system arrived the tailpipes had obviously hit something hard while in transit (I dread to think what the thing they had hit looked like).

The pipes are quite soft mild steel so I tapped them back into shape with no apparent ill effect.