Is the "flex-pipe" really all that necessary?

[Coderedpl]

So I was sitting here bored at work thinking about what my car needs "repaired" and done.

One of those items was the flex-pipe which causes an exhaust leak and my car sounds like shit, thats 1.

That brings me to the question, Is it REALLY all that necessary?
My whole exhaust setup is welded and i recently unbolted the testpipe and I was able to push the whole setup back at least a good inch, which makes me think the rubber hangers give enough "flexibility" and a straight pipe would be harder to "rip" than an actual flex-pipe.

Any feedback?

[BMT62688]

The flex pipe is there to allow for the engine movement when you hit the gas the engine tilts a little a straight pipe would just bend or break so I guess I'm sayin yes the flex pipe is necessary

[Adub-Drew]

^ that would not make the straight pipe break... Idk why you have flex pipe tho, the car could do without it imo.... Never heard of flex pipe being used because the engine "tilts" when under load... Usually people use flex pipe because there either lazy and dont want to get pipes bent, or the lack of money...

[3.0audi]

Flex pipe is there to eliminate vibrations

[rvca3112]

What about the spring that is attached to the downpipe?

[Coderedpl]

^^ mine is just there for shits and giggles now. Haven't used it since i put on my testpipe

I guess my main concern is scraping the shit out of it again and having to replace it, again.
I think i'll need that different kind of flex that is more flat

[rvca3112]

I was rfering to if the spring is needed. Sorry to hijack.

[Coderedpl]

I was rfering to if the spring is needed. Sorry to hijack.

I highly doubt it. When I did my test-pipe I took it off and never put it back on. Never had a problem.

[eskimopunk]

I highly doubt it. When I did my test-pipe I took it off and never put it back on. Never had a problem.

Except for the exhaust leak.

[Coderedpl]

Except for the exhaust leak.

That's a different story =p

[mr shickadance]

have you put any though into having a muffler shop just weld a piece of steel under the new flex pipe, kind of skid plate but only for the flex pipe?

think panzer plate for your flex pipe

[Stewy]

Not running one on my car, never had a problem.

[Coderedpl]

have you put any though into having a muffler shop just weld a piece of steel under the new flex pipe, kind of skid plate but only for the flex pipe?

think panzer plate for your flex pipe

Haven't thought about that one. Might talk to the shop about this.

[thenofjboy]

the flex pipe is there for a reason...im SURE if AOA found it cheaper, etc, to put in a piece of steel, they would have done so but just like it was pointed out above, the engine will move under load etc. Even my aftermarket downpipe for my B5 from TechTonics tuning had a flex piece. You can even buy just the flex piece if needed.

either way, if a shop does the work for you,they can delete this flex pipe portion but id like to hear what others/more experienced know & dealt with..OR you can just delete if yourself.....

[mr shickadance]

Haven't thought about that one. Might talk to the shop about this.

yea i mean when you think about it, its prolly getting all ripped up because the jagged part of the flex pipe gets caught on the jagged part of roads, if you just had a smooth piece of metal to slide and guard it....prolly would be cheaper and work just as good as a strait pipe

[mr shickadance]

Haven't thought about that one. Might talk to the shop about this.

yea i mean when you think about it, its prolly getting all ripped up because the jagged part of the flex pipe gets caught on the jagged part of roads, if you just had a smooth piece of metal to slide and guard it....prolly would be cheaper and work just as good as a strait pipe

[Quattro06]

My guess would be the flex pipe is there to reduce vibration and reduce stress that would occur with a solid straight pipe because with the engine having that little bit of movement would fatigue the metal overtime causing it to break more sever than when the flex pipe breaks/tears. It's also probably cheaper to put on the flex pipe during the manufacturing process and cheaper to fix if damage were to occur. That's just what I think with the knowledge I know.

[Charles]

Never heard of flex pipe being used because the engine "tilts" when under load.

Uh, that's the exact reason a flex pipe is used.

Do you need it? Maybe, but I'd imagine that your welds would be more prone to cracking if you didn't have one.

[rvca3112]

Except for the exhaust leak.

So you think I should look into getting one back in? I lost mine during my hfc install...

[Coderedpl]

So you think I should look into getting one back in? I lost mine during my hfc install...

If you don't have exhaust leaks now why worry?

[rvca3112]

If you don't have exhaust leaks now why worry?

Because I don't want the exhaust leaks in the future my non s-line brotha. Plus ever since my Hfc install I had this vision that the exhaust would rip a hole in the tranni where it's attached. With all my monster power from my k03 haha.

[Coderedpl]

Because I don't want the exhaust leaks in the future my non s-line brotha. Plus ever since my Hfc install I had this vision that the exhaust would rip a hole in the tranni where it's attached. With all my monster power from my k03 haha.

I wouldn't worry about it. I've had the VMR testpipe and now a 3" custom and never had problems with that part, just the flex, for the sole reason of me being low.

[RandyQUATTRO]

One of those items was the flex-pipe which causes an exhaust leak and my car sounds like shit, thats 1.

I don't have the answer but I feel your pain. The flex pipe on my Stasis exhaust developed a crack and it's killing me. It sounds like everything I have come to hate in terms of sound. It's really embarrassing. Was driving next to a silent Telsa today and all I could hear was "putt, putt, putt!"

[Coderedpl]

yea i didnt care in the winter too much but now its driving more insane each day.