94 Camry V6 Aftermarket Flex / Y pipe

[Tinyrice]

The front flex pipe on my V6 has a hole and a muffler chain is asking $550 to replace it. My local Oreilly has the same part for $225; so does anybody have any experience installing this unit? I'd have a go at replacing it if I know the suckers goiong to fit without extensive rework with a fire wrench. The cost of shipping to MN precludes buying from the Internet.

[PortugalFocus]

It depends on the condition of the old one really. If all of the bolts are rusted on, then cutting and welding will be required. If not, some PB Blaster might just be enough to get the old one off, maybe a small propane torch is the extra kick required.

[Eye8Pussies]

is the 225 for just the flexpipe? or is it the entire y-pipe?

if it's the entire y-pipe, then that's a pretty good price, and it's not too hard to change with some extensions, a deep socket, and an impact gun.

make sure that the exhaust is cool before you tackle the header to y-pipe nuts or else you'll snap a bolt and create huge headaches for yourself. it also helps to heat up the exhaust (turn on the car) and then let it cool to let the metals expand and contract and make sure that nothing is rusted together

the y-pipe to mid-pipe bolts are always the bitch since they tend to rust out. these can always be cut off and replaced as needed.

also, don't forget to make sure the exhaust gaskets that come with the y-pipe are good quality, or get some oem ones.

good luck

[Tinyrice]

Thanks for the feedback but what I'm trying to find out before I start this misearble job is whether the the Oreilly aftermarket front y pipe will fit OK. The parts guys are sure it will fit OK, but they won't be the ones under the car sweating and swearing.

The $225 is for the front pipe without gaskets or replacement bolts; thats another $40-50 depending on how many snap. Napa has the same part minus the gaskets for $279.

[not a mechanic]

Take a look here :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-...Q5fAccessories

[Tinyrice]

Thanks for the feedback but that still doesn't provide an answer as to whether these aftermarket pipes which are 70% cheaper than OEM, really fit. All these advertisers claim their parts are an OEM equivalent fit, but its intersting that nobody has piped up on this forum and said they've actually fitted one, or paid to have one fitted - and it actually did without major re-constructive surgery.

[bigbird]

part of the reason not many talk about it is because due to the age...your almost gonna have to have professional help to install any part of the exhaust pre-cat. plus most of us replace it with an upgraded one from OBX or JPP. that being said, if you just need the flex pipe replaced. then just buy a section of flex pipe the same legnth and diameter and havea shop cut your old one out and install the new one.

buying a whole Y-pipe unles you get a REALLY good deal for it would likely not be worth it because of the amount of work that would be needed to just get the old one off. one easy way to tell however is to look at the condition of the bolts and flanges at the cat and at the exhaust manifolds.

Originally Posted by not a mechanic

Take a look here :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-...Q5fAccessories

WTF...that thing looks like trash.