Hey All...

It been a while now. Sometime ago I got lucky enough to find a set of OE Jag catless downpipes (thanks to Greg) from eBay Euro. I installed them (like the result) but what I've been struggling with is the downpipe to intermediate pipe connection. 3 point flange, terrible connection, and they both eventually will leak.

They guy I had do the intermediate to downpipe only pissed me off at the time of install, I paid him less than what he asked - he would NOT listen to me...

Before I go out and buy something (I have the worst luck trying to buy exhaust materials - limited understanding) I wanted to run this by y'all to tell me what you think...

Here is the part, or something like it, that I have been looking at. Is the size right first off,,, 1 7/8ths,,, and can I bring a set like these to a exhaust guy, and with relative ease (his) expect that they can be made to work?

Money is an object here... I want a leak-less thing, without anything fancy shmancy. Something that will function, is reliable and doesn't LEAK, matters more.

Give me some direction!
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On my car the down pipe to intermediate pipe is bolted together with an olive between the flanges. I have just had my exhaust off to sort out and it all went together fine with new bolts and olives. I used ceramic grease on all the joints which is good for up to 1200 degrees C so if I need to remove in the future it will be easy.
Rob.

 

I recall that the downpipes are 2.25" so the 1.875" couplers would be too small. I'm sure similar couplers are available in a larger size.

Exhaust shops are not all the same and, IME, tend to be a bit stubborn. I obviously don't know what exhaust shops are available in your area. I would suggest seeking out a shop that caters to the hot rod/street rod crowd. IME, they're more imaginative in how they solve problems and more willing to accommodate customers' wishes. But, yes, more expensive, generally.

That said, I wouldn't be too quick to write-off the flange-and-gasket joining method. They've been leak-free on my V12 for several years now. But, OTOH, poor workmanship can obviously compromise the effectiveness of any method.

Cheers
DD

 

I have a few olives (supposed to be for the XJS) but they don't seem to be right size for the "cup" on either side... I think the guy (the intermediate pipes were new) cut the intermediates and added a new section where it meets the down. I was not and am not happy with his work.

What the guy used and what's there is some kind of crappy soft-ish gasket. It will never work for what's there.

What size olive?

 

Got ya Doug. Thank you. That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for and need...

I need to BUY something and have someone install them.

So, with Euro catless down pipes I can expect (and I will measure once at the car of course) them to be 2.25 inches or 57mm?

I needed clamps for the rear most silencers to over axle pipes in re-installing after dropping the axle and they were/are 1-7/8ths... So,,, its what I was basing my (bad) thinking on....

Damnedest thing,,, I have a SNAP-ON mig welder that I have never and am AFRAID to use, lol. I need to get over it and start welding!

 

what doug said..... go to a car show and ask where the locals get their exhausts done or drive to ones and if the have a bunch of muscle cars in the lot chances are they are good


wish i knew you needed some exhaust parts. i tossed all mine last year in the bin.