Steel Mesh flex exhaust

[MrSchaeferPants]

Anyone with 1st hand experience using these? Are they just as crappy as the old dryer vent style? Basically I'm trying to go from the Y pipe to an aftermarket cat, but there's like a 15 or 20 something degree turn.

I just finished welding my cat and mufflers together, and wanna join it to the Y pipe, but I have no real way of doing this except to eyeball my cuts and trial and error. The premade 45 and 60 degree bends I have are way too much.

If they're fine, then I'll get one, but I don't know how much of a turn I can get since the distance I need to span is only 8" or so since I still want the cat under the stock heatshield., and I don't believe the real short ones they sell will flex enough.

Or, if someone has done this and knows the degree needed from the Y pipe to straight down the frame.

 

[brian wafer]

don,t bend it too much it will not last long. cut the ends on and angle too try and keep flexable as straight as possible.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Ya I went out to Autozone looking for exhaust clamps and looked at the flex tubing, it barely flexes. I'ma call around muffler shops to see if they can make a 18 or 20 degree bend for me. I'd attempt cutting and welding it myself if I had a chop saw, but to eye ball it AND cut with a sawzaw... no I don't feel like bridging 1/8" gaps with my crappy mig on that thin of metal. I so need a garage and tools...

 

[K85 Octane]

grab a coathanger and bend up what you need. Go from center to center, making sure the end is in line with the existing pipe. Might help with the cuts or having someone fab something.

 

[Jessie James]

That flex stuff rusts quite quickly, as I recall, so it's useless except for a temporary repair.

 

[Cornfield creations]

Yes, temp only if that. They never seal also.

Like mentioned before, bend a coat hanger to the amount of bend you need and go to an exhaust shop and they should be able to bend you something. We do it all the time for people.

 

[diesel4me]

A parts store catering to truckers will usually have stainless steel flex pipe in stock,sold by the foot,in various sizes from 1-34" to 6" diameter..-its not cheap but it only needs to be bought once!..
I have used the galvanized flex pipe for tailpipes in past years,it rots away in about 3-4 months --stainless ones lasted 6+ years until I sold my '72 K5..probably still on it somewhere I bet..prices on it will likely be compareable or less than the "mesh" pipes used on a FWD vehicle..