zixiao

Hi all,

I just installed a flowmaster axleback pipe on my V6 the other day and noticed that it kinda hangs a little lower than the stock exhaust does.

Is this just the way its supposed to be or did I mess something up? I've attached all three mounting brackets to the exhaust (the two metal ones on the front and back of the muffler and the rubber one thats on the link pipe)

I also noticed that the car kinda stumbles under very light acceleration from stand still. Would a loose clamp (exhaust leak) cause this? I'm using the clamp that came with the flowmaster pipe.

Thanks for any feedback.

ChadStang

I'm not sure on the height but it should only go on one way. The stumble shouldn't be related to what you've done and a loose clamp won't cause that to happen.

SNAKEBITE

I will agree with Chad on this 100%

zixiao

Hey guys thanks for the replies.

I checked out some other installation pics and I think the flowmaster AT just hangs a few inches lower than the stock item so I'm fine with that.

With regards to my other issue, maybe stumble isn't the right word. It doesn't feel gutless or down on power at low revs but at around 500rpms above idle (say 900-1100) with the car in gear there seems to be alot of vibration coming from the back of the car and the sound gets louder/harsher.

I wonder if its because there's no ballast weight on the flowmaster?

SNAKEBITE

I am thinking a couple of inches lower is a little much, does it look ok when you stand behing the car? How many kilometres on your car?

zixiao

I probably should have mentioned it but my car is a 06 Automatic V6. It almost has 85,000kms on it.

Here are some pics of the installed muffler:






I noticed that I get the same vibration/sound when I'm in gear and turn my steering wheel. I googled that problem and it turns out a dirty throttle body (which mine almost certainly is) could be the culprit. I guess the new muffler amplified the effects that were there with the stock pipe but I just didn't notice!

The throttle body looks pretty simple to take off. Are there gaskets and stuff I have to be aware of? (don't want to take it all apart and then not be able to put it back together) Can carb cleaner be used to clean the throttle bodies?

roddy

The throttle body is sealed with an O-ring, so no gasket to worry about. I'd get a specific throttle body spray...some carb cleaners have chemicals in them that aren't great for 02 sensors. You can raise the muffler up easily enough, it just takes a bit of time. Pulling the muffler off and bending the rods (that slide into the mounts) down towards the muffler will raise where the muffler sits under the car. A large box end wrench works good for this. Then test fit the muffler, and repeat until you get it where you want it. It takes some time, but it is worth it when you get it "just so". The mount on the link pipe isn't needed...the V8 cars (and mufflers) don't even have them. A common place for noises/vibrations with a new exhaust on these cars is the rearmost hanger. Take a look under the car, and make sure the rod that goes through the rearmost mount isn't going through too far. If it is, it will contact body metal just ahead of the bumper. I had this problem after converting to dual exhaust and test fitting a pair of Corsa axle backs. It would only make noise over certain bumps, and it took me a while to find it.

ChadStang

Great advice Roddy

zixiao

Thanks Robby good to know I don't need a gasket

SNAKEBITE

seems like an easy fix and the exhaust seems to be sitting fine