I got my new VS exhaust and am installing it today. I have the headers tight to the manifold but all other bolts are slightly loose. The left pipe only has about 1/16 clearance from the plastic bumper and the right pipe has about 3/8". Is there any trick to adjusting these so there is proper clearance from the bumper?
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What happens when you tighten all nuts down?
That looks like the exhaust for a VW bug with the apron cutouts? They make one with lower exhaust tips for replica Speedsters. If it clears the rear apron ok - you can move the rear bumper up a bit by elongating the mounting holes. Replica one is below.
https://store.vintagespeed.com...ca-Exhaust-c33996769
uhmm, deflate the left rear tire10 psi.?
I bought the Porsche replica version 155-204-05200 with the pipes lowered in comparison to the VW version. Its just a little too close for comfort given that they flex a little when the engine is running and I don't want to melt the bumper.
I'll try tightening everything down, but it doesn't look like that will change the position from where it sits. I'll see if the bumper can move a little up too.
If you are able to get all the bolts snug, then wrap a rag around the tail pipe, push down on it a bit with your foot.. sound less than craftsman like but will work.
What Alan describes above I term "English". Sometimes a little force to bend things into place is the only way.
I don't know guys. I have everything snugged in now and the driver side is now touching the body and bumper. There is about 1/4 on the passenger side.
The tips on this one actually sit about an inch in from the bumper unlike the tri mil that protruded out pretty far. Therefore no way to get any leverage to push down on it with my foot. See the pictures below.
Is there any way to lower the engine slightly or anywhere else to adjust to make this work? Clearly not an option to have it touching and melt my beautiful bumper.
I'd try to move the bumper up just a bit. If that works, you can carefully cut out a crescent shape in the body to clear the bumper.
you could also try putting a pipe in the end of each of the pea shooters and lay a 2x4 across the pipes and carefully apply some of your body weight.
But if do what Lanes suggested, I think it would still look good with crescent cut outs. I had the Trimill and the pea shooters would rub on the ground going in and out of driveways. I like the shorter ones on the VS.
Paul, what I described is what I had to do on your exhaust when I installed it .. your Thunder Ranch bumper mounting is different from CMV VMC etc and would require some fabrication.
To protect the chrome surface of the exhaust I would apply the english to it in the following manner: Make a loop with a nylon strap and drape it over the exhaust tip where it rubs on the bumper. Insert a length of wood or metal pipe into the open/hanging part of the loop making sure nothing touches the chrome. Press down on the wood or pipe with your foot and see if that moves it enough.
I had a similar problem with my VS exhaust. Before you start trying to tweak it as described above, contact MT at Vintage Speed. He supplied me with spacers, gaskets and longer bolts to put between the flanges on top of the muffler and kick the muffler down a small amount. I'm sure you could use different thickness spacers to adjust the side to side difference also.
Email MT at Vintage Speed, he responds quickly and I have found him to be very helpful.
James
Thanks everyone.. I've tried everything suggested here (except cutting fiberglass) and it won't budge. These VS exhausts are built like a tank. I'm going to message VS as James suggested and see if I can get the spacers. I would feel much better about that then cutting out the body.
The guys at VS will take care of you
This is how it looks in my Vintage Speedster. Not sure if it’s normal but the tips don’t look horizontal but pointing down a little. Not sure if I have a broken transaxle nosecone mount.
I heard back from VS and the spacer solution that @James has will cost me $60 with 1 week shipping. Looks like something I could source locally since it is just 2 spacers and longer bolts. Does this just go in the connection between the headers and the exhaust so it pushes it down some? Amazon has stainless steel 8mm kits for about $22 + shipping an will probably be faster than coming from Taiwan.
The spacers are basically the same flanges that are welded to the exhaust pipes. SS flanges that are laser cut to the same shape and ID as the flanges. He also supplies another set of gaskets to match the flanges. You will need one on each side of the spacer.
You are correct, it simply pushes the muffler down a small amount. If I recall correctly, the spacers were about 1/4" thick and moved my tailpipes down about 1/2" from the body.
You could make or buy the spacers, but I don't think they are a standard shape/size and require his gaskets to match. Check the dimensions on the ones you linked to make sure they match. The bolts are easy to get. However, for 60 bucks, his makes for a really clean installation and work great. Just my opinion.
James
A muffler shop could cut the angled tabs at the top of each tailpipe, apply heat and move both tail pipes down then tack the cut tabs back in place, that would be the easiest fix.
It seems like your bumper may be lower than it should be. On my CMC the bottom of the bumper is about 1" above the bottom of the body. I did cut a notch in the body for my exhaust but it clears the bumper.
