[hfjeff]

Last year I installed a Jegs H-pipe and it didn't fit quite right. I had to force it into place to get it to work. The hangers don't really line up right and the driver side pipe is rubbing on the transmission cross-member which is driving me nuts because you can feel it under your feet and hear it. I took it into an exhaust shop to have them tweak it twice, but it is still rubbing and really pulling down on my hanger bracket.

I know you get what you pay for, but has anyone purchased either an X or H pipe that fit perfectly right out of the box, without having to modify or bend it, or force it in place? I am going to replace this one but don't want to buy another one that doesn't fit right.

[Shelbydog!]

I bought a mac 3 piece h, it fit fine with no cussing involved.

[hfjeff]

What kind is it and where did you get it?

[Shelbydog!]

Its a mac three piece off road H, i called mac and ordered it directly from them.

[Colt.45]

My BBK X-pipe fit without a lot of hassle.

[hfjeff]

Is this the correct website for MAC?

Mac Performance - performance accessories for cars, trucks, and motorcycles

[69fastback]

Just remember, just because it fit someone else's car, that doesn't mean it'll fit yours.

[gripthenboost]

I had the same issues with it hitting my tranny mount. I just jacked up the car on the H pipe to adjust the bend. My car was abused before i got it so my chassie is hacked up i had to do the torque box and subfame connectors for it to feel new again.

[Shelbydog!]

Originally Posted by 69fastback Just remember, just because it fit someone else's car, that doesn't mean it'll fit yours.

This is good info, and that is the website.

[nolife]

Yes, some parts simply do not fit or have warped of been "bent" to conform to some other shape but what I've found with exhaust that uses ball valves...
Loosen everything from the header ball back to the tail pipe. Get everything lined up finger tight and then tighten moving from front to back and left and right a little at a time. Being off a fraction of an inch at one of the header ball valves can cause the mid pipe to be shifted several inches and then cause the muffler and tail pipes to be completely out of whack. When it's not installed all together, all or any exhaust piece can look like "it will never fit" depending on what piece you decided to put in last.

[Leftyroc]

Originally Posted by nolife Yes, some parts simply do not fit or have warped of been "bent" to conform to some other shape but what I've found with exhaust that uses ball valves... Loosen everything from the header ball back to the tail pipe. Get everything lined up finger tight and then tighten moving from front to back and left and right a little at a time. Being off a fraction of an inch at one of the header ball valves can cause the mid pipe to be shifted several inches and then cause the muffler and tail pipes to be completely out of whack. When it's not installed all together, all or any exhaust piece can look like "it will never fit" depending on what piece you decided to put in last.

I second nolife's reccomendation.. I installed a new MAC Prochamber on my LTs and didnt do loosen everything at first and got a rattle in the drivers side exhaust also.. Then went back, loosened it all up, and everything lined up. Good luck.

[hfjeff]

Originally Posted by nolife Yes, some parts simply do not fit or have warped of been "bent" to conform to some other shape but what I've found with exhaust that uses ball valves... Loosen everything from the header ball back to the tail pipe. Get everything lined up finger tight and then tighten moving from front to back and left and right a little at a time. Being off a fraction of an inch at one of the header ball valves can cause the mid pipe to be shifted several inches and then cause the muffler and tail pipes to be completely out of whack. When it's not installed all together, all or any exhaust piece can look like "it will never fit" depending on what piece you decided to put in last.

I do understand there are many variables that can affect how it fits. I basically did loosen everything as you recommended then tighten when I did the T5 swap a couple weeks ago. Just trying to attach the H-pipe to the stock headers using the hangers welded to the pipe was a challenge. The angles in the pipe don't appear to be correct to route the pipes through the crossmember. Then the hanger of the drivers side (basically 1/2" steel bar stock) is too far foward and preventing me from pushing the entire H-pipe forward to meet up with the headers. I had to start bolting the header to the pipe and force it forward and out, which pulls it into the crossmember.

Exhaust is always a pain. It may be the drives side hanger is just not right so I may cut that one off to see if it goes into place. I can then have another one welded back on.

Just looking for a better quality fit and what others have had good luck with.

[hfjeff]

One detail I forgot to mention is my current H-pipe is a 2-piece welded design-left and right, which connect in the middle. So there really is no way to bolt it loosely or adjust. The 3-piece MAC looks like it has a ball-socket joint for each side to connect to the "H".

Shelbydog, just to confirm, the one you ordered 3-piece design is the top one listed on my link? There is no picture for the bottom one.

Thanks all.

[hfjeff]

Thanks Shelbydog! The MAC pipe fit like a glove.

This is my old pipe which had no adjustability:



I had to force it into place and it kept rubbing on my cross-member. I actually had a hard time getting it out and it bent my hanger bracket and mangled the rubber insulators a little.

The new 3-piece MAC went in smoothly. I fit it loosely, moved everything where I wanted it, then tightened. NO forcing necessary! No undue stress on hangers or brackets or headers. It's an old saying, but you do get what you pay for.

I like the MAC so well, I may just buy the company.

[richardhales]

my pypes x pipe went in with no problems it hangs a little low though coming off the headers got it from americanmuscle.com

[weaverkb]

I used a Brentech H-pipe from Brother's Performance. It fits very well. The H section is a slip fit and I used one of the wide band clamps to seal it. I had to tweak one of the welded on hangers just slightly but that was really easy. It fit well with the C4 and now with the T5.