construstion is the devil

[smitchell08]

I was leaving the local hardware store after buying plasti-dip and some black out tape, and as I pulled out onto the road my car suddenly stopped. I had no idea what happened my only thought was I got hit from behind, but when I looked around no one was there. My car wouldn't go forward or backwards. Next idea was that my tranny was shot. I tried going forward again and it moved about 6 inches and all I heard was a horrible scrapping then it stopped again. That is when I realized I was bottoming out on something. So I got out and took a look, sure enough the flex joint on my downpipe was hung up on a small sewer pipe sticking out about 3 or 4 inches. After starting the car back up I realized it has totally destroyed the exhaust it sounded like shit. So I threw it in reverse and just floored it finally got off the pipe. anyways long story short I went to my local shop (about 5 mins from the scene) they threw it up on a lift and my downpipe was knocked back about an inch and the rear valence was snapped from the whole exhuast getting shoved back. Also the down pipe was ripped out of the new miltech exhaust. So we put it all back together as best as possible.

Now I have a few questions. This is my dilemma I ordered a HFC about 3 weeks ago but as most you know that is only from the turbo to the downpipe. I need a whole new downpipe, so what should I do just buy a new one or order and aftermarket one? I honestly don't know what to do I was thinking that maybe I could find a used one and just throw that on when I get the HFC.

Any advise at all would be great. I might be able to think clear after I cool off a bit. I wish they had just marked that pipe and this who situation would have been avoided. [headbang] TIA

[CBRmatt600]

Are you slammed on coilovers?

[smitchell08]

Yes sorta, after today I have had enough I'm bringing it up 1" next week when I put the new rims and tires on.

[Gingerkid]

Have you inquired if the shop can fabricate one for you?

Sucks that it happened. Another reason I'm not slammed.

[CBRmatt600]

Well, I'd say that is your problem. Something that is sticking up 3 inches in the road doesn't pose much of a hazard to any car that isn't completely slammed to the ground.

[davis449]

Well, I'd say that is your problem. Something that is sticking up 3 inches in the road doesn't pose much of a hazard to any car that isn't completely slammed to the ground.

X2, not watching what you're doing FTL.[down] However, 3-4 in. from the road is definitely hitting my frame![:D]

[CBRmatt600]

I bottomed out over a speed bump with the sport suspension last week. I'm sure as hell not dropping this car any lower.

[Latin Audi]

I bottomed out over a speed bump with the sport suspension last week. I'm sure as hell not dropping this car any lower.

X2 I have enough trouble getting up my driveway.[headbang]

[elwigglero]

use this as an oppotrunity to upgrade your exhaust as well.

[smitchell08]

Have you inquired if the shop can fabricate one for you?

Sucks that it happened. Another reason I'm not slammed.

They do not fabricate basically just install. They said it probably wasn't worth it better to buy from a reputable place rather then custom. Mind you its a Porsche, Audi and BMW only shop.

[smitchell08]

I don't bottom out over speed bumps, I wish you could have seen this pipe. I'm thinking about going back and taking a picture and maybe complaining to the city doubt anything will happen but worth a shot.

[Msu2312]

I would at least try to get the city to pay for your damage, worst they can say is no..

[CBRmatt600]

Yeah give it a shot. I had NY state reimburse for a set of wheels one time.

[Msu2312]

From a pothole or something? How that go down? Sry if that's kinda thread jacking

[Glassnpowder98]

The guys at RAI just released a 3" HFC and downpipe combo for $600 or $650 I think... Perhaps you could sell off the HFC you already bought and go with that setup.

Sorry to hear about your luck. I would definitely see if the city will reimburse you for your troubles. Can't hurt to at least try, but definitely make sure you take a pic of both the pole and the damage to your car ASAP.

[CBRmatt600]

From a pothole or something? How that go down? Sry if that's kinda thread jacking

They were doing some road construction and had cut a section of the highway out that left a hole that was about 4 inches deep all the way across the road. It was not properly marked with signs, and I hit it at about 40mph in my RX-7. Wheels=toast.

[smitchell08]

The guys at RAI just released a 3" HFC and downpipe combo for $600 or $650 I think... Perhaps you could sell off the HFC you already bought and go with that setup.

Sorry to hear about your luck. I would definitely see if the city will reimburse you for your troubles. Can't hurt to at least try, but definitely make sure you take a pic of both the pole and the damage to your car ASAP.

ill look into that, meanwhile does anyone have a stock downpipe for a b7 tiptronic

[spitfire11]

I had a very similar thing happen in my B5, and it wasn't slammed- I just had shocks/springs setup. It was a completely unexpected thing, I was driving no more than 15-20mph over a dip in the road with a grate covering the entire lane. Didn't think anything of it because I was driving carefully and had gone over it before. Next thing I know my car sounds like a Mack truck and I immediately pull over to the side. Something in the grate must have snagged my magnaflow exhaust at its lowest point, because it ripped the exhaust from the downpipe, mangled some tubing and wrecked my o2 sensors.

And of course it happened in the mountains of New Mexico during a weekend trip with zero reputable exhaust shops around for a hundred miles. Long story short, I was without my car for over a month and had to pay to have it towed across state lines over 225 miles. I feel your pain.

[peta8368]

anything sticking up 3 inches on the road is definitely not acceptable. what if you ran over it with your tires? 3 inches high steel pipe will likely destroy the tire too. I say take pictures of it and ask the city to pay for the damage.


Peter

[smitchell08]

UPDATE: I decided to go with a Labree downpipe with a 3in HFC. I canceled my order with 034 Motorsports [:(] I hope the new downpipe and HFC are worth it. If anyone has this let me know what you think about it. I just have to cross my fingers that the stock one holds out for about another 3 weeks untill I get the new one. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions, I think the best one was use this opportunity to upgrade.

[CBRmatt600]

anything sticking up 3 inches on the road is definitely not acceptable. what if you ran over it with your tires? 3 inches high steel pipe will likely destroy the tire too. I say take pictures of it and ask the city to pay for the damage.


Peter

It doesn't sound like it was a jagged pipe jutting up in the road. It was the round edge of a pipe that was laying under the road You could run over it no problem with a tire.

[smitchell08]

It doesn't sound like it was a jagged pipe jutting up in the road. It was the round edge of a pipe that was laying under the road You could run over it no problem with a tire.

Thats basically what I got hung on it was really noticeable because there was asphalt around it but just not enough to get my tires up high enough to clear.

[jimrobbington]

damn, I have a stock downpipe from a manual. Damn your luck.

[boosted4life]

My buddy has a 240sx that's slammed.. He was driving on the highway and a truck in front of him lost a fence post. He has no choice but to hit it and it ripped his oil pan completely off and lodged in his engine cradle.. Luckily he noticed all the smoke and oil blowing out the back and shut the car off immediately... That's why my car isn't slammed.