Exhaust Issue

[Punkfinder]

Was driving the other day, hit a small bump, and 'clunk', my exhaust pipe broke. It broke just behind the 'coupler' thing (small connector that joins the two pipes from the engine and the small pipe that goes to the cat). It broke on the back side of the 'coupler' closer to the cat. I'm an amateur mechanic so I took it to a muffler shop who wanted $700 to "fix it right" as the 'coupler' part was "rotted". He also offered to just weld it for $50.

 

Any suggestions on the best way to tackle this? I know some welders who could do the work if I find the parts. Or maybe just have them weld it as-is without replacing the parts?

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[GrimGreg]

If it rusted through, it'll be hard to weld it since the rust is probably all through that pipe and flange. I'd price a new intermediate pipe to replace it. That pipe is only about 2' long, has a flange to meet the y-pipe and another one to meet the cat. It also has the O2 sensor bung in it. I'm looking at getting a larger diameter one for mine since it is the choke point in my exhaust now.

[Punkfinder]

Thanks for the reply Grim. However, it appears that the Y-pipe component is rotted at the intermediate pipe end as well so I'm not sure if a new int. pipe will solve the issue (i.e. welding the new int. pipe onto the rotted Y-pipe component). Any other ideas?

[Simon]

I just had a similar issue on my 95. I ended up getting a brand new exhaust, manifolds back (not including the manifolds) in 2.25" pipe, stainless steel, mandrel bent. They installed a high-flow cat and muffler, both stainless steel, and it cost me a little over 1K CDN. All in all, as much as it hurt to spend that kind of money shortly after buying the truck, I'm very happy with the sound, and performance of the upgraded exhaust. A little raspy at higher RPMs, but a nice low rumble at lower RPMS. And my "butt dyno" says there's a fairly significant power upgrade.