Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Performance SVT exhaust - please help!

Okay, after struggling with the BOMBA de AGUA, for a day and a half (they snapped the bolts off the old one) my man is now blowing me off on putting on the exhaust.

"I don't have the resources to tie up one of my guys for 2-3 hours trying to make that thing fit. Its not as simple as it seems."
Now at his rate for three hours I'm looking at nearly 200 bucks to install this rig!

That can't be right, can it? IIRC, haven't some people gotten this job done for 100 bucks in about 60 minutes(?)

I've read "about a foot" of pipe, "about a foot and a half of pipe" Straight? Mandrel bent? Flex?

Also, the exhaust is all in one piece, and he says he'll need to cut it up to do the job.(?)

Can someone give me the definitive poop on what exactly needs to be done?

Thanks guys!

Let's be conservative and say it's 18" of additional pipe that's needed. It's straight, so all they really have to do is tack it on. The diameter changes slightly, but they should easily be able to take care of that. Add one hanger to the back and hang the rest on the original mounts.

No reason to hack it up if it's already in his shop. Sounds like he just wants you out of his shop after having a hard time w/ the w/p.

Sawzall through original resonator inlet: 2 minutes.
Cut replacement 18" pipe and add flange: 5 min. tops
Weld onto resonator: 5 minutes.
Add additional muffler hanger: 5 minutes
total time it took in a freind's driveway with a sawzall and a small welder: 30 minutes. And that's just with the rear on jackstands.
Tell the guy to use the pipe from your zetec exhaust and weld that onto the SVT exhaust at the resonator. They are the same diameter, and the Zetec pipe already has a muffler hanger in the correct spot in that area. That will save them having to make a flange and all that.
If he can't get this done in under 45 minutes, he's in the wrong business.
BTW, I had my previous exhaust, from resonator to tip bent, hung, and welded onto the car in under 10 minutes at a shop here. It's not hard when the car is lifted.
Good luck, man!

Thanks guys!

I printed your posts and are bringing them to him tomorrow.

D, I deleted the part about him wanting me out of his shop tho, lol!

If the exhaust is in one piece, then there really shouldn't be a hassle. It took my guy two hours and all he did was add the extra pipe and the hanger. No biggie. Good luck man, but I would shop around more if you can (or have the time).

Update!

Well I went this AM to the shop and handed my guy your posts. He says, "What's this?" I said "Instructions. And it says if you can't do the job in 45 minutes, you're in the wrong business!" He looked amused as I left in his loaner to get my kids to school.

I went back later and he huffed "It took my guy a little over an hour to do the job. I'm only charging you for an hour. This guy (meaning t-red 2000 se)had two people working on it and probably did it on others before. I think my guy did good job on it." I agreed and thanked him for doing the job for me. They really are good people there, maybe a little high priced, but I always get a free loaner, flats fixed for free and even the occasional free oil change if I've had a lot of work done.

But anyway, it looks and sounds GREAT! DDavis and t-red, thanks a lot for the specific info; I know it went a long way to getting this job done right! Zetec'rs rule!

Very welcome...and he's right. I was holding the exhaust while he cut/welded, then let him crawl under the car and hang the exhaust while I drank beer. Definately a team operation.
So, how's the sound? Nice, huh?

Its MUSIC, baby!