Aluminum Driveshaft & Magnaflow Exhaust

[arbailey]

A while back I had 3.55's installed and of course got a vibration with the stock driveshaft. I was told the FMS aluminum driveshaft would cure the vibes, and it did. However, it rubbed on the Flowmaster exhaust (that was on the car when I bought it) and the previous owner felt the need to weld together ie; NO ADJUSTMENTS. I just received my Magnaflow catback from Stangnet (GREAT DEAL by the way - $430 with a $130 instant rebate + $5 FedEx shipping) and I have the same problem. The driver side is PERFECT, but there is NO WAY the passenger side will not rub on either the driveshaft or the body where the fuel lines run. I read dozens and dozens of threads on this topic and NOBODY mentions this problem. Is it me, or is there a trick to getting this exhaust to fit with the aluminum driveshaft. I am at the point where I am about to have my stock one rebalanced and sell the aluminum one. PS, there is only about 1/8" - 1/4" clearance between the muffler and the driveshaft when the car is on the ground, but it rubs on the fuel lines. PLEASE HELP!

 

[gt90stang]

Punisher,

On my 90GT the Magnaflow catback fits perfect with my FMS DS. When I installed it I twisted the pipes so everything lined up (I used two pipe wrenches to make it easy) and clamped it up. Then I had it welded. It only gets close to the DS when the car is jacked up with the rear wheels in the air. I also have the Magnaflow X-Pipe with cats.

Don

 

[HISSIN50]

nice info, Don. so now we know it can work.
Punisher, i might concede and take it to an exhaust shop (if you dont weld). for probably not much money (esp vs your investment so far), they can probably tweak stuff further upstream to make it fit right. i feel your pain. ive played with mine and the pass side muffler either hits the frame rail or the DS slightly - a shop could straighten my pipe run out (so the muffler is not at an angle) and make it fit nice. just a thought (and it could be totally off - im not there with ya lookin at it).

good luck.

 

[PNY PWR]

I have the alum. drive shaft, off-road Hpipe, and flows, plus a safety loop. There's plenty of room. Is your tranny mount ok? I went ahead and replaced mine w/ an Energy Suspension poly when I did the shaft/loop. Remember, your motor and tranny mounts are going to keep your drive train lined up.

Instead of moving everything away from the shaft, you need to find the cause.

 

[arbailey]

Thanks for replying guys. My motor mounts and trans mount are new. I was wondering if I bent the "tangs" on the H-pipe, maybe that would make the exhaust hang a little lower. I just don't know what to do anymore.....

 

[arbailey]

I talked to a local custom exhaust shop today who told me that he sells Magnaflow mufflers exclusively because they are the best out there (which made me feel good about my purchase). When I explained to him my clearance issues, he when on a rant about how his business is dying because people are buying their exhaust "online", and he refused to work on my car becuase I didn't buy the system from him. Anyway, do you guys know a good exhaust shop in Northern NJ who could help me out with a little exhaust "tweaking". PS, I have an off-road H-pipe which he said was another reason he couldn't have my car "ANYWHERE NEAR HIS SHOP". He also said I need to use a Magnaflow H or X pipe with their cat-back system (which he sells by the way $600) in order for the exhaust to fit right?

 

[Scorcher2005]

yeah, he doesnt want it at his shop cuz he can get in trouble if he works on a car w/o cats. And why do you need the special magnaflow x/h pipe?

 

[arbailey]

And why do you need the special magnaflow x/h pipe?

He told me the reason the cat-back kit doesn't fit right is because I'm not using a magnaflow midpipe (X or H). He said if I return my system from "wherever I bought it", and bought the X or H pipe and the cat back system from him, he would install everything for a little over $1000. I told him thanks, but no thanks. I didn't have the heart to tell him I got it shipped from partshopper.com for $305.

PS, I got everything to fit good I just had to monkey around with my H-pipe.