CGT downpipe/cat joint, need flex?

[Huw Powell]

> They charge me $30 to put a "fuse" in, their name for a short piece
> of pipe welded in place.  They end up welding my downpipe to the
> front of the cat, solid.  They removed the two flanges, metal sealing
>  donut, and three spring-loaded bolts.  It fixed the leak sound, but
> I don't think I'm happy with how they did it.

That's called "kludge."  They are treating your car as if it has another
year to go before the junkyard.

> I'm concerned that engine movement will now put stress on the exhaust
>  manifold instead of allowing some flex at that joint.

> Thanks for the reply.  The scariest part about it is I think that
> transmission bracket is not present on my car.  Furthermore, I know
> the drive side motor mount is torn, probably the passenger one too.

So replace the motor mounts.  $50 and half an hour each?

> What a PITA.  If I was going to spend bucks on the downpipe area, I
> would swap in the 4kq EM and downpipe that I have queued.

That makes the "issue" redundant.  When you install the 4kq parts, they
will not mate to your stock cat anyway, and will require some thought
and creativity to set up.  Thye "fuse" that as installed will go to the
scrap metal recycler along with most of your OEM exhaust at that point.

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/exhaust.htm

Don't sweat it, they fixed the leak...



--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/