Flex Pipe and Mechanic Problems

[kpszar]

So on Friday I went to a local repair shop, and told me it would cost me $430 for a whole new front pipe (The hole unit, flex pipe and cat.) while another shop, M**ro Muffler want $270. I decided to go to M**ro Muffler because the price was in the range as the other places and had my suspension set up done there.

So after work I went to local auto stores, I went to Auto Zone, see if I can order one from them, but sadly they don't have the part. Then I went to see if some other stores carried front pipe for my car. American Auto Parts and wanted $246 and called up NAPA and they wanted about $270. This can't be right.

Do you guys think something is wrong? $200 just for a 6 inch flex pipe crappy wields and leaks?

[kpszar]

any one?

[vdop69]

Originally Posted by kpszar

Do you guys think something is wrong? $200 just for a 6 inch flex pipe crappy wields and leaks?

I just recently had a 3" or 4" flex pipe put in, can't remember the size. $60 installed.

[95PimpingCamry]

If you look around in the right places you might be able to find some cheaper flex pipes, most likely universal and not application specific. Either way i would definitely recommend NOT having Monro do the work. From past experiences that my friends have had with them they do the worst welds and will cut corners anywhere possible, even if that means that their work won't hold up. I've seen them hang exhaust pipes with self tapping screws into a heat shield, and I have never seen any of their welds that didn't leak. Over all you'll spend more money correcting Monro's mistakes than you would to have it done right in the first place.

[kpszar]

Originally Posted by 95PimpingCamry

If you look around in the right places you might be able to find some cheaper flex pipes, most likely universal and not application specific. Either way i would definitely recommend NOT having Monro do the work. From past experiences that my friends have had with them they do the worst welds and will cut corners anywhere possible, even if that means that their work won't hold up. I've seen them hang exhaust pipes with self tapping screws into a heat shield, and I have never seen any of their welds that didn't leak. Over all you'll spend more money correcting Monro's mistakes than you would to have it done right in the first place.

They did such a horrible job, the wields look like the person did it their first time. It still leaks exhaust, the same amount before but now in two spots. Also when I tried to open my hood, they broke the hood latch. I could fix it, but I want them to do it.

[bronzemaxell]

i just spent around $150 shipped for a new aftermarket 97 4cyl flex pipe with cat and gaskets on eGay, jacked up the car, use a long extension, and unbolt the front 3 nuts easily from the bottom of the car, the two bolts after the cat is a little tough, one of them is around, i used a dremel and re-enforeced disc and cut the bolt off. took me about 30 minutes. good fitment, new cat, works like new, and don't have to worry about the gasket after the cat leak either. i did called around muffler shops, they wanted around outrage $150 to $180 + tax to cut and weld as well.