Panhard bar problems

Skud

Member
Sep 10, 2003
493
0
17
Saskatchewan
Hi All,

I have a M/M Panhard bar and I can't install it because it doesn't clear the tailpipes on my Magnaflow catback. In the instructions, it says it will clear the tailpipes that follow the factory exhaust routing.

Apparently, the Dynomax tailpipes in their catback follow the factory routing. So, I have a couple of options..

1) Cut off the tailpipes and go to dumps
2) See if I can purchase and use the Dynomax tailpipes
3) Try and modify my existing tailpipes.

I'd rather not go to dumps. My car is loud enough as it is and while this would be the easiest and least costly way out, it would also be the least desirable.

I think the Dynomax tailpipe method would be the best. If I take my existing tailpipes to be modified then I will have to goto a muffler shop and nobody I know around here works with stainless or can do mandrel bends to keep the tubing from collapsing. So I would have chunks of aluminized, rusty, smaller diameter pipe in my otherwise free-flowing Magnaflow system.

The $50 question will be whether or not they will properly mate up with the rest of the Magnaflow system. I don't see why they wouldn't.

I'd like to know if anyone else has experience in this issue. I know there are a few PHB users around here and I'd like your thoughts.

Thanks!!
Riley
 
The current diameter is 2.5" and the problem is that the passenger tailpipe comes down too quickly over the axle. So, the PHB rubs right at the bend over the axle. It's actually so bad that I can't properly fit the PHB bracket against the frame rail.

Edit - I think the driver's side tailpipe will be OK, but it does come close as well.

Riley
 
OK, so after a lot more research I'm going to drive down to Summit Racing and pick up a pair of the Dynomax tailpipes.

The part numbers are 55059 and 55060. They are stainless, 2.5" and come with 3" polished tips.

I really really hope these work. I'm about to throw the entire exhaust system out the window.

It would be nice if anyone knows before hand whether or not they will bolt up to a magnaflow catback.. I suppose I could always return them if they don't fit, but that's a 1.5hr trip to Summit I would rather not take.

Thanks!!
Riley
 
OK, so after a lot more research I'm going to drive down to Summit Racing and pick up a pair of the Dynomax tailpipes.

The part numbers are 55059 and 55060. They are stainless, 2.5" and come with 3" polished tips.

I really really hope these work. I'm about to throw the entire exhaust system out the window.

It would be nice if anyone knows before hand whether or not they will bolt up to a magnaflow catback.. I suppose I could always return them if they don't fit, but that's a 1.5hr trip to Summit I would rather not take.

Thanks!!
Riley

Well, I'll be watching this for your results. My Bassani tailpipes won't fit either, and no one here is competent enough to mandrel bend stainless steel. What was the price of those pipes?

I've also heard that the Flowmaster AT system should clear the PHB.

Even if they don't fit, you can get them modified for probably cheap. Either that or you ditch the tailpipes altogether.
 
Well, I'll be watching this for your results. My Bassani tailpipes won't fit either, and no one here is competent enough to mandrel bend stainless steel. What was the price of those pipes?

I've also heard that the Flowmaster AT system should clear the PHB.

Even if they don't fit, you can get them modified for probably cheap. Either that or you ditch the tailpipes altogether.

I emailed MM awhile back and they said they have had good luck with Flowmaster and Dynomax systems. Actually, here is the email..

Riley,

Other than the stock exhaust we know that the Dynomax and Flowmaster cat back systems will clear without modification. However, if the headers or H-pipe are not original they might throw off the position of the tailpipes.

Modifying the exhaust is a simple procedure. What I recommend is simply removing the tail pipes temporarily, installing the suspension per the included instructions and taking the car to your local muffler shop to have the tailpipes re-installed. They will tailor the pipes around the new suspension and it will all fit great.

The Dynomax tailpipes aren't cheap. They're $135 each side. They will be well worth it if they fit and they are stainless too.

I know what you mean by finding someone to mandrel bend stainless. Stainless Works is actually about 20 minutes from where I work. I stopped by about a month ago and the guy told me that "we're not a muffler shop." I guess my job wasn't big enough for them..:shrug:

Edit: I just found out that the pipes are on backorder from Dynomax until June 17.

Riley
 
270 for tailpipes. :bs: They'll probably want another 100 to ship it here to Hawaii haha.

Man, what does their catback cost....one grand? LOL. :notnice:

Yeah.. The whole catback is like $500. I don't know how much to shipt to Hawaii. the lady on the phone said that there is a $8 extra handling charge because of the size. The total shipping to Ohio was going to be $26. I decided to make the 30 minute or so drive and pick them up myself.. I always like to browse around the Summit retail store. Sometimes you can find some good stuff in the clearance area.. Like one wheel.. Or last time they had one PI head.. :rlaugh:

At this point, I don't care how much I have to spend (within reason). I just want this to be done. Things bug me when they're not done "just right". I have to order another set of MM full length SFC's because the guy who welded up my last set was completely incompetent. The SFC's are about a 1/4" away from the actual frame rails and all he did was fill it in with weld.. Now every time I look under my car I get those feelings that:

1) I was had
2) I have something that was done poorly on my car
3) It looks like **** and it reflects on me whenever someone else look under my car..

I dunno.. Maybe I'm weird.. :p

Riley
 
Well, the Dynomax catalog says it comes with 3" polished SS tips.

Here is a picture:

wlk-55059_w.jpg


BUT - now that I look at the pipes, it looks like the tips are welded to the pipe.. On my magnaflow system the tips are separate and use a clamp.. Hmm.. I don't know if I like this now...

And they're still on backorder until 6/17/2007... :nonono:

Riley
 
I had the same problem when I installed a Magnaflow catback on my car with the MM PHB. I had to have a muffler shop splice in extra stainless tubing I had laying around to fit it & its still barely fits. If i could do it all over again I wouldve kept my stock tailpipes because it still rubs a little on the axle mount.

If your dynomax tailpipes fit I think I will go the same route because Im tired of the rubbing. you should also make sure whoever removes the Magnaflow tailpipes keeps them intact because you could sell them on craigslist to offset the cost of the Dynomax's.
 
Update:

I drove down to Summit today and picked up the tailpipes. I have them mocked up in the car now, and it looks like they will fit!!

The only thing is that it took a lot of persuasion to get them in there.. These new tailpipes have the tips welded onto the pipe, so there is no adjustment whatsoever.. Also, one of the hangars on the tips was bent incorrectly and made the tip sit about 3" lower than the driver side tip.

One of the tips themselves had a dent in it, but that's most likely from shipping and not the fault of manufacturer..

So, what I did was cut off the tips and I'm using my old Magnaflow tips.. This way I have all the adjustment that I need.

I'm going to continue the install tomorrow, but so far so good!!

Riley