I recently got my flex pipe replaced at TOPVALUE MUFFLER. They are a muffler installation chain. Anyway, the flex pipe that was installed looked like it was about 1/2 inch smaller in diameter than the original pipe. The actual flex/bending part of the pipe they installed is smaller. It is very noticable and doesn't look right. I asked the guy why it's smaller and he said he"blew it up" to fit the original exaust size. (they take a 2" flex pipe and stretch it to fit a 2.5" pipe) WTF is that sh*t man. The more I think about it, the more pissed i get for letting him install it.Iargued that it isntthe right sizeand that it is more restrictive. He said it isn'tmore restrictiveand proceeded to tell me he's been doing this for 35 years.Ijust want to make sure that putting a smaller diameter flex pipe is more restrictive, beforegoing tomorrow to put up a fight.I am 99% sure it's f*ckin BS, or he's an idiot.[:@] Do you guys have any suggestions what I can do to make sure he gives me a proper fitting flex pipe?Like telling him i'llcall thepolice, chain manager, better business bureauetc? any ideas Thanks guys

 

If the new flex pipe is the EXACT same size as the exhaust pipe then he put the flex piece on a strecher and expand it to fit over the outside of the stock piece. If that is what he is talking about then the inside of the flex pipe is the same size as the exhaust. Even if you are right then even a 1/2 diameter drop fot such a short distance will not be restrictive enough to cause you any power loss.

 

+1


now if it was a dp or large part of the exhaust pipe you might notice it....... what you might do or say is...... i am not happy about you putting a smaller piece of flex on there, but how about you take out my resinator and put in a piece or 2.25 in pipe and give me a brake...... or call them and get a quote for that so you will know you are going to be getting a discount, but do what you want


the most restrictive part of the exhaust is the cat and the res.......

 

they must have given you a quote or told you what they were going to do though. i wouldn't ever let a shop touch my car if i didn't know exactly what they were going to do. the smaller size won't do much but personally, i think it's bogus that they did that.

 

That’s a good idea with the resonator. Thanks

He did give me a quote, said it would cost $85. He said he was going to simply replace the broken flex pipe. I didn’t get see what size he was going to put in until it was installed. Not only is it smaller in diameter but it is easily 3 times the length of the original. Even though ½ inch might not be enough for a regular flex pipe, it might make a difference if the flex pipe is longer like 10 inches. Also, the thing that gets me is the loudness of the turbo. I don’t mind the sound. but to me it’s a sign that something isn’t the same. Also, I have a CEL now and am going in and out of limp mode. The code given from autozone is p0171 which I have read about. It could be a loose hose, MAF, O2 sensor etc. I think this small flex pipe might be throwing off the O2 sensor in my cat. I also know that

 

that is why, when i have a problem, like that,i buy the piece and take it to them, and watch while they put it on....... and try to watch while they are under/near my car