Cracked my exhaust piping~!

[holisticbeatz]

I was driving home after getting off work and 2 blocks before reaching my house, my S14 begins to get really loud and shakey. Then my S14 started sounding really wicked, as if I was running open-headers every time I revved; so thinking quick, I decided to pop the car into neutral and coast my way home on the momentum I had. Luckily I had enough to park the car right into my drive way. I left the car on and opened the hood only to almost get knocked out by the carbon monoxide/exhaust fumes. Then I run towards the back of my car and put my hand up to the muffler tips and felt no pressure.

I let my S14 cool off after 2 hours. Jacked the car up and decided to investigate. Here's what I saw:




So now I'm in a jam.

I'm broke as a joke right now, because I spent most of my money earlier this week on new tie rods and tension rods. I think I'll probably just tow it to a muffler shop and have it welded. However, my question is; would it be ok if I just chopped off that entire part of the exhaust piping and have a new pipe welded on in its place? Like, from where the breakage occured to right before the 2nd O2 sensor (I think that's what it is), just chop that whole thing off and have a straight pipe in it's place welded to the catalyic coverter? Would the check engine light come on if I did that? HELP!!

[holisticbeatz]

Then replace that part with a straight pipe?

[crioten]

you might be able to jb weld that sucker back together... jb weld rules!!!!!


but anyway, im not sure about the whole phony cat thing on the s14, but if it is the phony one, you can replace it no problem, but if its the real cat, you can straight pipe it, until you get smogged...

[holisticbeatz]

Originally posted by crioten
you might be able to jb weld that sucker back together... jb weld rules!!!!!


but anyway, im not sure about the whole phony cat thing on the s14, but if it is the phony one, you can replace it no problem, but if its the real cat, you can straight pipe it, until you get smogged...

I'm not sure what JB Weld is, I would feel more comfortable if I took it to a muffler shop and have it done.

I don't think that part is a cat, it's looks more like a resonator. But I'm not very certain. I know guys who've installed Hooker headers on their S14 required them to remove that entire structure. It's definitely NOT smog OK~!

Now I'm also wondering, how could this have happened? I don't recall ever driving too crazy over speed bumps. It's a pretty clean break too, it might've began as a hair line fracture. I didn't notice any speed bump scrapes on the exhaust piping upon inspection. However, I'm not 100% certain what I saw, it was dark. I'll know soon enough tomorrow morning when I take it to the muffler shop and review my options.

[misnomer]

I'm reasonably sure that is your catalytic converter (although s14s have a cat and a cat looking resonator). If you have smog restrictions, you definitely will have to replace it with another cat, or try to get it welded.

Good luck dood.

[AJ]

that is the only cat on s14's the other is hollow. so, if you remove that, your not going to pass emissions, etc.. this happened to mine as well, i got another off a buddy who's turbo and wasn't useing it
your best bet is to find someone that went turbo full exhaust that has his cat lying around.

[holisticbeatz]

Took the car in and got one of these badboys installed~! Uncorked a lot of power~! What a huge difference a simple 18'' long 2 1/4'' wide pipe does for the car.

[AJ]

whoa, very nice. so is that replacing that whole cat? :-D just don't take it to get tested :-D also, where can u have stuff like that done, i'm in cincinnati ohio and no where will do it for fear of being fined if i get caught and tell on them.. i thought cA was more strict.. so i'm just curious.

[kanekz]

Here in SoCal, many of the local muffler shop will do it. Yea one would think its so strict they would shy away from that, BUT its not true. I guess since it is so strict that they are willing to do it for a price. I know one local shop that has been doing straight pipes for years and never heard of them getting caught.

holisticbeatz, what color is your S14? I see so many now down here..Im in MPK and noticed that ur profile says alhambra. Just wondering if you were one of many I've seen lately. Anyways good luck.

[Fibercus]

Ive got 2 complete s14 stock exhuast setups from motor back

Ive got what youve chopped up OEM if you want it. So no worrys when it comes to smog... and there in Alhambra too

[holisticbeatz]

AJ: Yep, that pipe is replacing the cat. To get stuff done like that, you would probably have to go to a "special" muffler shop. Be sure to have plenty of cash on hand just in case you need to bribe someone to look the other way. You'll be surprised how far you can get with a $20 or even $10 bill.


kanekz: I know a muffler shop that's been doing for years too! Good people and very reasonable prices too. My S14 is kinda goldish/champagne in color. Right now I'm working on the suspension getting it ready for Drift Day 10. So it's currently out of action. Are you going to Drift Day 10?


Fibercus: You have 2 complete stock S14 exhaust systems? Hook it up man~! My S14 came from the east coast, so 80% of my exhaust piping is rusted. I won't have to smog my car till 2005, but I would gladly take one set off your hands. Let me know!

[Fibercus]

Originally posted by holisticbeatz
Fibercus: You have 2 complete stock S14 exhaust systems? Hook it up man~! My S14 came from the east coast, so 80% of my exhaust piping is rusted. I won't have to smog my car till 2005, but I would gladly take one set off your hands. Let me know!

Yep, one left over from my SR swap, and one from a wreck that I picked up for parts. Broken down they can be easily picked up (3)

My old set it 100% rust free

[kanekz]

Fibercus, you have a white SR'd zenki in Alhabra. I dont think I have ever seen you around the streets here before. We should all get together one day have a mini meet!!

holisticbeatz, I may have seen you around town before. Your s14 is mostly stock right? Me go to DD10? I dont think I am at this point. The last DD I went to was DD4!! hahaha. Anyways, do you have a LSD installed? The sucky part is that I am gonna be in Vegas this Friday for SEMA but I cant make it to DD9 the next day!!! ARGGGG...o well. Good luck with your car. Like i said up there..mini meet!!

[Fibercus]

Im near Main / Garfield, yep keep an eye out for a white s14 with an unfortunate 5" tip (what can i do, its a good exhuast haha)

[holisticbeatz]

Fibercus, you live near Main and Garfield? Did you go to AHS? I live near Garfield and Hellman. Once I get my S14 on the ground and running again, I'll take whatever exhaust system you don't want. Free right? Are you going to DD10 anyways?

kanekz, yep my S14 is pretty much stock. As far as modifications go, I'm sitting on H&R springs wrapped around Koni yellows and a J30 VLSD. Now I'm waiting for a pair of new tires, one front lower control arm, a pair of new ball joints, tie rods w/ ends and tension rods to come in. They must be sending my stuff on camel or something, because it's taking forever~!


I think we all should go to DD10, it'll be fun. We'll be the Alhambra/Monterey Park S14 team.. LOL

[holisticbeatz]

Friday night/Saturday morning drift practice.

Everything started out fun but it didn't end that way. A couple of 240SX buddies and myself were practicing e-brake slides and other drift techniques around an island in a wet parking lot a few nights ago. Afterwards, we all went home. On my way home, I was going too fast, understeered and slid right into a curb separating the off-ramp and on-ramp. The driver side front wheel was the first to hit followed by the rest of my car. I regain control after fishtailing and hopped over the curb one more time until I finally came to a stop in the emergency turnout lane. Afterwards, I limped my way home going 20 mph, running a red light and a stop sign.

After parking my S14 in the drive-way, I got my tools out and began working. Here's what I saw after I removed the driver side front wheel:






Damage assessment:

Bent driver side front lower control arm
Bent tie rod
Bent sway bar end link
Flexxed the tension rod
Destroyed tension rod bushing
Slashed driver side front tire

Anyhow, I'm still pissed off about this whole situation about losing control. I feel like such an idiot, if only I let off the throttle a little earlier and downshifted sooner, I wouldn't be in this mess. I guess it could've been worse however. I could've hopped the curb and slammed into another motorist. I could've hopped the curb and continued driving into a fence.



I've learned my lesson, slow the fu*k down when it rains! Otherwise, mother nature will own you!

[kanekz]

Man, your reply just came out of nowhere!! Where did this come from? Anyways...I know how feel. TRUST ME. I curbed my ride less than a year ago. I was lucky that I didnt almost hit a house!! My right rear was all busted up...and to this day I have a slight positive camber. Dont worry though...most of us go through it at one point another. Just dont beat urself up and move on.
BTW: Is this how you cracked your exhaust maybe?? Ehh ehh? If you ever need help, just holla.

[Fibercus]

Oh no I moved to alhambra about 3 1/2 years ago, grew up mainly in the valley and santa clarita

Keep an eye / ear out for me next time, and I will check for you guys too

Im always passing thru Main st . or Garfield / Fair Oaks on my to the 110 frwy

[kanekz]

Originally posted by Fibercus
Oh no I moved to alhambra about 3 1/2 years ago, grew up mainly in the valley and santa clarita

Keep an eye / ear out for me next time, and I will check for you guys too

Im always passing thru Main st . or Garfield / Fair Oaks on my to the 110 frwy

Well if you are down south more, then keep an eye out. I will occasionaly pass through your area..maybe if I am going to Kragen or something for misc. products!

[Fibercus]

Originally posted by holisticbeatz

Damage assessment:

Bent driver side front lower control arm
Bent tie rod
Bent sway bar end link
Flexxed the tension rod
Destroyed tension rod bushing
Slashed driver side front tire

Ive also got some extra S14 Tension rods, you should definitely hit me up

[holisticbeatz]

don't need help anymore

[Dream240]

Hey beatz, I'm located in Sunnyvale and I work in Alameda. I could come by and help you with this maybe sometime during the week. Had to do the same repairs once when I hit some black ice and slid into an onramp curb. Luckily there was mud there instead of dirt or else I would've went over the side and down the embankment!!! Scary. Learned my lesson of driving REALLY slow in wet conditions when making a 120 degree turn!!! Anyways let me know!! here's some pics of my car maybe you've seen me around? I drive the 880 all week long...car looks different know though, new FN01s, invader hood, and no tint. Anyways let me know if I can help! I'll bring my tools, jack stands, and jack! later...

[mbmbmb23]

Originally posted by crioten
you might be able to jb weld that sucker back together... jb weld rules!!!!!


but anyway, im not sure about the whole phony cat thing on the s14, but if it is the phony one, you can replace it no problem, but if its the real cat, you can straight pipe it, until you get smogged...

As I recall JB weld is not recommended for temperatures above 500 degrees fahrenheit. Chances are you'd melt the JB weld and breathe the fumes...and thats probably a bad thing.



-m

[DocTaDrifT]

ey holisticbeatz i think ive seen u around alhambra u got that gold zenki rite? anyways wat kind of wheels do u have on ur car?