dtompsett

The butt dyno approves, the euro-tuner friend approves (old-school bmw buddy), and even dad approves.

Here it is...

Can't tell from this pic, but the bottom of this muffler has totally rotted out at the seams. The top shown is pretty bad too. The Vibrant 1134 muffler is all 304 stainless construction. (will never rust... no iron content)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/79384/compare.jpg">

Added a flex-joint after the cat; the stock setup uses a swivel joint that... well.. doesn't swivel very well. The main pipe is all 409 stainless. Has iron, so it will rust eventually; but it 'grows' 1/2 the amount of 304 when it's hot, so no length issues to worry about.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/79384/centerfab.jpg">

Even the hangers are stainless; 3/8" round stock that I picked up at Barrie Metals. The flanges are cast stainless with machined surfaces. The trick to these, leave a little space between the end of the pipe and the end of the flanges, and weld the inside. Makes a much stronger connection, guarantees sealing of the pipe, and less interference of bolt heads with weld bead when you go to assemble it. Those 12ton jack stands come in really handy for this stuff.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/79384/rearfab.jpg">

The center piece on the car; check out those sexy welds! And yes... I forgot to trim my hanger. The pipe fits really well into the body of the car; very please with it.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/79384/centercar.jpg">

And the view from the rear... all the bends used in the rear fabrication are 304 stainless pipe; so they'll never rust. More chance of the stainless welds rusting due to contamination. Finished off with a simple straight pipe out the back.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/79384/rearcar.jpg">

Brdman*

very nice.

MikTip

Sweet! ;O)

dtompsett

for anyone searching... my impressions, almost 3 years later.

<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/9080/msgs/452927.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/9080/msgs/452927.phtml</a>