As in previous threads I have discussed my problems with the kinetix high flow cats cracking at the bracket (which the brace bolts to).
I have also been unlucky enough to have a cracked nismo exhaust, which now is all fixed and well.
I got the system back together at the weekend (nismo exhaust and kinetix resonated straight pipes). After 2 days of driving, i heard some blowing from the car , so on the way to my friends garage there was a nice little cracking noise then mega loud exhaust.
Got the car up on the ramp and the right hand straight pipe had snapped away right at the point where the pipe is welded to the resonator.
The welding looked very thin on the pipes before I put them on the car, and this has confirmed this.
The steel is very thin on these pipes and doesnt look at all robust enough.
Has anyone else had this problem??? I'm getting so sick of pissing about with this exhaust now, first the cats, now this.
Kinetix were fine about the cats failing and kindly sent out my resonated pipes for free as a replacement, but they havent lasted 5 minutes.
Just for information, the brace wasnt connected this time, as it looked surplus to requirements with the pipes being so much lighter than the stock cats.
I was loving the increased performance and noise until this happened.
Being in the UK, you can imagine how much hassle all this is for me.

 

Is it possibly an issue with fitment tolerances due to the difference in your chassis? Dn't youhave a RHD Z over there. If so I know some exhaust piece like headers wont fit RHD or vice versa. Is it possible this is the same thing? Good luck with everything.,

 

Yeah, headers are a problem, we need to get the Japanese stuff for that, but the cats and system are the same.
I'm at my witts end with this carry on, now. The build quality of this kinetix hardware is disapointing to say the least.

 

Hmmm. maybe its a problem cause the headers are different. I don't know. I imagine it would be the same but since you have now had EVERY piece after the headers give you probs maybe you can get some resonated test pipes custom fabbed. It can't cost that much to do it.

 

Sounds like you initially had a fitmet problem w/ the Kinetix equipment. I got mine spot-welded to the bracket instead of pulling on it and putting extra pressure on it. I would guess that the extra strain and stress you put on the system by pulling the Kinetix into line with the bracket caused the cracks.

 

I had my kinetix resonated test pipe redone by my shop as well. The fitment was terrible that if I force it on would cause strain on my Nismo Y-pipe. I can show pics of before and after if needed. My shop had to cut and add some SS pipe and then tig weld to make the pipe sit perfectly.

 

I hadnt attached the brace when I put the resonated straight pipes on the car, as I didnt want the same thing to happen that happened to my Kinetix high flow cats.
But this time the pipe actually snapped where it exits the resonator (havent got a picture at this time).
This is extremely poor in my opinion. You shouldnt need to be welding and re-welding pipes that have cost you good money in the first place.
I'm worried that if I get these pipes re-welded and attach this brace this time, that the bracket will get ripped off just like it did with the cats.
I wondered if having the Vortech was causing more flex in the engine, but nobody else seem to have this problem.

 

I'm with you baptist. We shouldn't have to weld and re-weld the pipe since we paid good money for the pipes in the first place.

In my case, I just didn't want the hassle of waiting for another set of test pipes that might or might not fit. So to save some time, I just decided to have it re-done by my trusted shop to ensure proper fitment.

I don't think the Vortech would cause more flex as our engine mount is pretty sturdy and holds the engine in place fairly well. I'm running a Greddy TT and so far no problem but my pipes have been customized for fitment. I also have the bracket that mounts to the transmission on and it's holding fairly well.

 

Never had so much hassle with an exhaust in all my life!
I didnt think that the brace was that important as other people seem to get away without it. I would have thought that the flexible part of the Y pipe would take up any movement, but every other part of the system seems to be taking the strain.