So Fix it

When cutting stainless steel tubing, you must ensure that the cut end of the stainless tubing is straight. If the cut is crooked, the end that you cut will not fit squarely into a stainless steel fitting or butt up tight to another piece of pipe for a weld joint. The tools required to mark a straight cut on the stainless steel tubing are relatively simple, readily available and inexpensive. Selecting the proper tool to cut the squarely marked tubing is vital to ensuring that the cut is straight.

Instructions

1

Stretch the tape measure along the stainless steel tubing and mark the length you need to cut with a permanent marker.

2

Place the marked length of tubing into a table-mounted vise. Slide the length mark 12 inches past the end of the vise and turn the handle of the vise clockwise to secure the tubing.

3

Fold an 8 1/2-inch by 11-inch piece of paper into a two-inch-wide strip that is 11 inches long.

4

Align one side of the folded paper with the length mark you placed on the stainless steel tubing. Wrap the paper around the tubing and pinch the ends of the paper together. When the edges of the folded paper are even, the paper line is straight.

5

Run the permanent marker around the edge of the folded paper, marking a straight line around the stainless steel tubing. Remove the paper from the tubing.

6

Attach a .032 abrasive cut-off wheel to a four-inch grinder.

7

Put on your safety glasses, face shield and leather work gloves.

8

Cut 1/4 of the circumference of the stainless steel tubing, pressing the cutting wheel slowly along the cut mark.

9

Loosen the table vise, spin the tubing 1/4 of a turn and tighten the vise. Continue cutting the tubing.

10

Replace the abrasive cut-off wheel when it wears to the cutting line, or roughly 60 percent of the cut-off wheels original diameter.

11

Complete the cutting process and set the grinder aside. Run a fine-tooth half-round file around the inside and outside of the cut to remove sharp burrs left by the cutting wheel.

The straight through muffler incorporates a perforated tube design that allows the exhaust gases to expand quietly. For straight through exhaust the rule is the bigger the can the quieter the muffler, and they are considered to have the best flow design of most modern muffler types. The purpose of a muffler in states without yearly emissions certifications on vehicles is noise reduction. Installing a straight through muffler can reduce noise and can be tackled by most knowledgeable car enthusiasts. The right tools will make the difference with this job.

Instructions

1

Purchase the muffler and pre-silencer in the correct size for your car. Purchase the mandrel bends, or steel pipe for the tubes, from the same or another supplier. Be sure to get new exhaust hangers for the system.

2

Lift the car on a car hoist. Using jack stands is an option but will make working and welding beneath the car nearly impossible. If you are taking on this project it is advisable you either have access to or own the equipment to do the job correctly. Once the car is lifted examine the existing exhaust system for the location of the exhaust hanger mounts. Lay out the new system, noting the bends you need to use to accommodate the various mechanics the exhaust system needs to skirt.

3

Remove the existing system. Spray any clamps and hangers with silicone lubricant to loosen rust or dirt before loosening the clamps. Disengage the pipes from the catalytic converter, but do not disturb or remove it. This portion of the system needs to remain intact, and hollowing it or removing it could in fact hamper the performance of your vehicle. Replace any hangers or clamps that are damaged at this time.

4

Cut the mandrel bend sections for your system. Test fit the sections by placing them in the location beneath the car they will be mounted. Trim and adjust as needed.

5

Tack weld the pieces together. Check again for fit and be sure everything is aligned properly before welding the pieces together permanently and attaching the hangers. If the system is stainless steel you can leave it alone, but if it is aluminum or regular steel, paint with heat resistant paint created for exhaust systems to keep the surface from early corrosion.

6

Seam weld the pipe sections and muffler together and mount on the vehicle, welding in place. Secure all hangers and clamps. Start the vehicle and test the system for back pressure and flow.

Automotive enthusiasts use a straight catalytic converter, also known as a catless pipe, as a substitute for a conventional catalytic converter. This modification allows an engine to gain more power by eliminating back pressure.

Characteristics

A straight catalytic converter is an aluminized metal or stainless steel pipe, which varies in length and width depending on the vehicle. Automotive specialists use a catless pipe to determine whether a conventional catalytic converter is defective.

Function

As part of the engines exhaust system, a catalytic converter changes harmful emissions to carbon dioxide and water. Replacing a catalytic converter permanently with a catless pipe causes release of pollutants into the environment.

Significance

Because of their effects on the environment, straight catalytic converters are illegal. Instead of using a straight catalytic converter to enhance your cars performance, you can use exhaust headers and a free-flow cat system, an option that is safe and environmentally friendly.