My metal jacket around the flex section of my Y-pipe is torn. I put my hand to it, I don't feel an exhaust leak, but nearly 50% of the metal jacket is gone on one side. How bad is it? Does this hurt performance/fuel economy?

btw, this is an OEM y-pipe.

 

doesnt matter as long as the inside isnt torn. Dont expec the inside to last too long though.

 

yeah, i'm not sure how long has it been that way. My y-pipe hanger is completely gone (gotta put in a new one), so i guess that is what did it. Am I actually gonna see a hole through it when the inside gets torn?

 

depending on how big the hole is, maybe. or you will sound like you have once of those cheap racer exhausts. But if you have been without a hanger and have no flex jacket, I would bet that it is already torn. Did you rev the motor wil checking for a leak or just at idle? another way to test is to wait until it is cold, spray it down with soapy water and start the car. I have a stock flex for sale if you need one (if you dont decide to get a performance Y).

 

I was checking for a leak at idle (yeah, probably should have revved the motor). I'l try w/ the soapy water trick as well. I assume the flex section needs to get welded on, right?

Does the leak in the flex section hurt performance or fuel economy? or is it just more noise than needed?

 

will hurt performance. Can set off a front O2 sensor code. Will increase deposit formation as a result of faulty O2 sensor readings. a new flex section can be welded on.

 

When mine had a hole it - it made a turbo spooling sound

 

it'll reduce performance... and eventually u're cat/o2 will go... and u're front right o2 as well... i learned this from experience... my mechanic 'friend' advised that its ok and not such a problem... and it'll give me better gas mileage and all... i dunno y i listened to him... but the gas mileage noticebly reduced and so did power...

its not an expensive fix... the new flex pipe doesn't even have to match oem... as long as inlet/outlet is 2.5"... it'll do the job fine...

 

will definitely hurt performance......I am a testament to that right now. I've been driving (or should I say ricing?) around with a torn y-pipe and flex. It's so loud between 2-3000 rpm that I can hardly hear my gf when she's talking to me in the car (sometimes that's a good thing ) Def felt the drop in performance and my hearing capacity.

Get it changed as soon as you can since I'm sure it'll kick the bucket soon. BTW, slava, I'll get you those part numbers for the y-pipe hanger tonight. Been busy!

 

Hey Chris,

I thought you had a performance y on your max? Yeah, I didn't realize how bad my y was until i got under the car over the weekend. Thanks for the part numbers, i def need to put that hanger on.

 

I have a used factory Y and the hanger for sale if you need it.

 

I have the whole Cattman set-up, from y-pipe to muffler, BUT haven't put it on yet.....been waiting for the weather to get warmer and save up for some OEM O2 sensors. Money is so damn tight right now! I just bought the y-pipe hanger and have yet to pick it up. Can't wait!

BTW, if the hanger that 2da mizzax is selling is in good condition, you should go that route. He seems to be a good, knowledgable guy and it would no doubt be cheaper than the stealership. I'll still send you those numbers tonight though. Start looking at aftermarket y-pipes in the meantime!