Exhaust Pipe Breaking

[pjspider]

I have a 80 Spider that I've replaced the muffler from Vicks - Model: 27-8327, the first one broke after a couple months where the center pipe joins the muffler. Vick's replaced it and said the the pipe must be binding and that the muffler shop didn't know what they doing. I took my new muffler to a different shop did a little research (International auto) and they suggest adding additional support. They installed and welded additional support but this caused vibration around 2800 RPM's so I had it removed. Well I've just broken my second pipe same place, after 4 months maybe a couple hundred miles! Any suggestions?? I don't think Vick's will send another replacement for free

[DanD]

Take it to a welder, and have him weld it back up. he could put some little reinforcements on it too, if he has the knack. If you lived anywhere near this part of NY, I'd weld it up for you. It isn't uncommon.

[vandor]

> It isn't uncommon.

It is uncommon for new Spider mufflers to break. The only one that had this problem was the twin-tip ANSA, that's why that one has to have an additional hanger.

[ClarkTheShark]

> It isn't uncommon.

It is uncommon for new Spider mufflers to break. The only one that had this problem was the twin-tip ANSA, that's why that one has to have an additional hanger.

can confirm. Ive broken two ansa pipes. Welded back together to fix them.

You said its breaking where the center pipe meets the muffler? the center pipe does not touch the muffler. are you saying its breaking at the neck of the muffler on the back side?

[pjspider]

The pipe weld broke where it joined the muffler. I had muffler shop weld it but not sure how long that will last. I called International Auto and they sent a picture comparing the stock muffler for 1980 compared to the one I have which is for 66 to 78. The stock muffler pipe joins the muffler in the center of the muffler rather than the top and the rear hanger mounting brackets are a little more forward. I don't know if this is putting undo pressure or binding causing the snap? They did tell me the ANSA is heavier and does require an additional hanger after the cat, how's the sound of the dual tip ANSA? I had dual ANSA with dual pipes on my 74 TR6 and replaced with stock style polished stainless because it was too loud, especially when cruising. I put the current muffler on because it had a single chrome tip as opposed to the turned down pipe. I appreciate the help!

[ClarkTheShark]

I've had an ansa pipe on my car for 8+ years. Yes, additional mounting and stabilization is required - although not difficult to do.

I don't have a cat or a center muffler. I have straight pipes right back to the ansa. Sound is pretty loud - but not obnoxious. They offer a good retro look, but don't really improve performance from what I can tell.

[DanD]

> It isn't uncommon.

It is uncommon for new Spider mufflers to break. The only one that had this problem was the twin-tip ANSA, that's why that one has to have an additional hanger.

I often see a crack at the join of the two down pipes to the single pipe on the header of FI cars. I also see cracks, breaks at the front of the center resonator and the front of the rear muffler. It might be unusual on a new muffler, but it happens. Welding the muffler back on, and triangulating some little metal struts off the pipe to three points on the muffler/resonator/whatever, has been my repair approach for a long time. But I have a welder.

If anyone has good pictures of a nice center hanger detail, that would be very helpful. A lot of cars seem to default to hanging the muffler on the emergency brake cable.