Since instally Berk Test Pipes, my Invidia N1 and M2 Ypipe have been constantly self detructing. It's been welded about 6 times at the mid pipe and the Y Pipe and completely severed at the collector and flexpipe on both sides all at different times. I'm at my wits END. No shop can figure it out. I thought it was engine torque, so I installed a torque damper. 3 days later BRAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I've not had a smooth running car all summer or fall.

The car is practically undrivable because of this issue. I've taken everything all the way up to the manifolds out, had it repaired and reinstalled with the bolts all loose so things could settle into place. Now the Y-pipe has catastrophically failed at the flex. The midpipe which was the major problem before seems to be holding up. I'd really hate to lose the TPs because I love them. There has to be something else going on.. Do the TP need a flex?

CLiffs:

Exhaust cracking problems started after test pipe install
Installed engine torque damper and it didn't help
Y pipe was less than one year old and Invidia N1 is about 5 years old
Need advice on what to do outside of buying a new exhaust

 

does your car stay parked indoors or out?

 

Seems like stress problems, I would buy an extra 2 bolt flange on eBay and install it between the Y pipe and the exhaust with longer bolts and that should five it 1/2 " of extra space which should prevent cracking

 

Get test pipes or HFCs that bolt-up to the OEM brace for the cats.

 

That won't fix yhe cracking issues, those brackets are there to support heavy
Cats, my guess is that the fitment between the Y pipe and mid pipe is super tight so when you connect both peaceable together is puts stress on both parts, if you add a flange it will give you 1/2" of play room, where both peaceable won't be pulled so tight together

 

i say



you repaired and repaired again.. try a whole entire exhaust setup

 

Is there such a thing as fake Invidia products? Maybe you have low quality knock-offs and the extra stress of the test pipes is too much. I know I had to reef on my system to get my cheapo Megan TP's in, but my stock '03 system hasn't had any issues and I've been quite hard on it.
Not what you want to hear, but I'd stop loving those TP's in a hurry.

 

M2= cheap chinese junk

 

^agreed. I think Megan makes it. The car stays outside and the 1/2 flange idea won't work because the fit is tight between the Y and mid pipes. I my just get a stock HR Y pipe and see if it all holds up. If that doesn't work I want the Fast Intentions Dominator..

 

I had the same problem with my Tanabe exhaust, not one crack with my Motordyne.

 

easy ... replace m2 and invidia... no doubt 5 years is the totality
of an exhaust lifecycle. get a motordyne exhuast and xyz all day.

 

lol exhaust lifecycle is def more than 5 years. but this is disturbing ...if its the chinese product no wonder man. ive ran xo2 and its raspy and not quality like hks. thicker the metal used in piping less rasp ive noticed.

 

Mabye your exhaust hangers are kaput making your exhaust bounce up and down?

 

I've had my XO2 exhaust for over two years now. She still looks great, no rust, no rasp at all. I also had Test Pipes installed on the car.

 

Metal doesn't simply "get old" it has to corrode and mine hasnt at all..

Nope it's rock solid... I'm keeping my eye on the marketplace...

 

correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt the constant heating-cooling and expanding-retracting eventually weaken the metal?

 

^ Yes, especially if the exhaust components are already stressed, as it seems to be the case.


I've had this problem for years and went through about 5 sets of test pipes myself, some of which were rewelded a few times, until I settled on the TurboXS test pipes. I also installed the engine torque damper and that seems to have helped.

My guess on what the contributing factors may be:
- improper fitment angle (poor quality) of the exhaust pieces when completely assembled.. so you're forcing them to fit at incorrect angles
- there's nothing to support the weight of the exhaust system except at the headers and toward the end of your exhaust (after the y-pipe), so there's a sag in the middle (read: added stress)
- what makes things worse is that the engine will move, even with the torque damper in place, adding even more stress

 

^this

 

Maybe add in Ypipe hangers?

 

I say add in some hangers and get a different Y-pipe. The flex pipes on Y-pipes are there for a reason: To help reduce stress on the exhaust. It should solve your problem.

My whole entire exhaust was made in my friend's garage and has held up fine, so it shouldn't be hard to eliminate the problem. Good luck!