Flex Pipe after Headers?

[HOdbleFman]

Has anyone with aftermarket headers used braided stainless flexible tubing after the collector of the headers? I know there is a piece on the stock exhaust system in between the exhaust manifold and catalytic converter. The engine vibration is so great it seems like it would be almost necessary to put some in there to allow the engine to move without shaking the whole exhaust system. The B&B's I have just have a solid 90 degree piece of stainless coming off the collector and there is no place for a hanger so it just bounces up and down along with the rest of the exhuast as the car idles. I wonder if this causes any more vibration to be felt in the cabin of the car? Has anyone retrofited any type of hanger or flexible piece into their exhaust system?

 

[SapphireGTS]

This solid piece comes with most kits. The flex pipe is only there to cut down on vibration. After a few weeks with the solid piece, you dont notice the increased vibration. Make sure you DONT fabricate a hanger on the new solid pipe as the decreased flex will only rip the hanger off leaving a nice big LOUD hole.

Good luck.

 

[Ulysses]

the decreased flex will only rip the hanger off

I think this is more the main reason the flex pipe is there, to decrease the stress forces that occur from flex. You can get 3" flex pipe from a few dealers but they will have to be fitted and welded. At least at the time I was looking, no one made a section that you could just bolt up. I did a lot of research on this and they are hard to find. You also have to consider that they can cause a restriction in the flow.