why hello,
i replaced my b pipe a few weeks back and put on a stock muffler and i loved loved loved the silence. however this all changed a few days ago. i didn't noticed it all at once, but my exhaust suddenly sounds very throaty and muscular when i start the car up and can hear it through first and sometimes second gear. i have a budget y pipe so i know the exhaust is louder with that than it would be with stock, but this recent increase in volume wouldn't be from that because i've had it for a year now. so, i tried tightening up the bolts under there but couldn't get it any tighter with my relatively small tool set. i turned the car on and carefully felt under there and felt air coming out between my cat and my new b pipe. there is a new gasket in there and i got it as tight as i could, but it seems to not be completely tight obviously.

so, should i try to find some better tools to retighten, go find someone with air tools, or should i buy that gasket sealant stuff and try that?

seems like an easy enough problem so i'm just looking to hear from those of you with experience, not just guesses and assumptions from people who have never touched an exhaust. thanks guys...

 

you could tighten it till your nuts are blue it may eventually leak again like mines did, i got it welded

 

Flanges straight and flat? Flance surface clean? Bolts/nuts torqued down right?? Flat flanges are a big pain. Also use a good quality gasket,not cheapos.

This is why I use ball jointed flanges. No gaskets and always seal.