Know Your Exhaust System's Connecting Pipe Better

Heard of this term but don’t know what it means or what it does? We have put it all together on this page, to help you understand and resolve any problems you may face if you neglect this important component.

The exhaust system consists mainly of various shaped pipes, each designed to connect to each other, each pipe is responsible for moving the exhaust gasses to the back of the car where the final exhaust outlet is present, but there are many specialized segments. In other words, the system simply looks from the outside like a bunch of connected pipe segments running from the engine bay to the back bumper, although some serve an additional purpose as the exhaust flows through that particular pipe.

Today we are going to talk about the connecting pipes and how to maintain this very important piece of hardware.

Connecting pipe is located underside the car, it is used to connect the resonator to the muffler. Connecting pipe can be straight or bent depending on the vehicle’s design. Connecting pipe is mainly designed to fit properly to the components and also so that it fits under the car in such a way that it also accommodates other parts like axel, drive shaft and chassis design.

Connecting pipes can be classified on the basis of material, shape, layout of fitment.

• On the basis of material - Mildsteel, Stainless Steel
• On the basis of shape - Round Cross Section, Oval Cross Section
• Layout - Cross over pipes (H-Shape pipe, Y- Shape piper)

1. Shape - There is no rule or theory that says that the connecting pipe needs to be round, connecting pipe can be made of any shape. The most common shapes are Round and oval. There are special dies available that can be used to form oval cross-section pipes. These pipes are used where there is clearance issues, for eg. Nascar uses oval pipes as, oval pipes are narrower on one plane, which provides an opportunity to create extremely low ground clearance cars.
2. Material - The two common materials of which connecting pipes are made are Mild steel and Stainless steel, Mild steel pipes are easy to bend but require additional coating like molten aluminium, galvanisation or ceramic coating. The other option is stainless steel pipes, which are much more durable and require no coating but they are expensive and require specialised precision machines with skilled technicians to be bent in required shape.

Connecting pipe’s main purpose is to properly join the components like Resonator and Muffler. Connecting pipes work on the same principle as a chimney, there is a temperature difference between exhaust gas and the environment, this causes a draft to be created and this in turn push the flue gases out from the exhaust. The Connecting pipe should be designed in such a way that it lets the exhaust gases flow un-restricted and does not causes backdraft.

A vehicle’s exhaust system is exposed to one of the harshest conditions, it is prone to high levels of corrosive dust and water particles, plus it can easily break due to any impact. Few of the very common problems with exhaust connecting pipe are.

• Leakage of exhaust gases
• Broken exhaust hanger
• Broken connectors
• Corroded connecting pipe

There are various symptoms by which a vehicle owner/ driver can easily predict the problem with his vehicle’s exhaust connecting pipe. Few of the symptoms that help to get to know if any of the above-mentioned problems exist or are going to occur are.

1. Loud Noise - This is the most common problem found in a vehicle, this can be because of leaking exhaust gases. This means that there is a crack or breakage in either the connecting pipe or welding/ connectors. This is a serious problem because one, it can cause exhaust gases to fill in the passenger cabin and second, it causes a lot of noise pollution.
2. Decreased Vehicle Power - This can be a symptom of corroded exhaust pipes, if your exhaust pipes are internally corroded it will lead to loss of power and finally lower fuel efficiency.
3. Hanging Exhaust Pipe - This means that your exhaust hanger is broken or loose.

Many of the tools required to change connecting pipe are probably already in your toolbox. If not, purchasing these tools will be a good investment since most of them can be used for a multitude of other tasks.

• Start with the right protection gear
• Connecting pipe kit
• Jack and Jack stand
• Wrench set
• Allen Wrench set

One of the biggest and most well-known brands for connecting pipes are available with us at Partsavatar.

• Connecting clamps
• Exhaust hanger
• Muffler
• Resonator

A new connecting pipe can cost from as low as 5-10 CAD to around 90 CAD depending on connecting pipe that fits in your vehicle and its whole kit is also available from 30 CAD and above. Replacing a connecting pipe is a simple task and requires approx half to one hour.

As we have already mentioned above that changing connecting pipe is not a very complex task, below we have mentioned 5 steps to replace a connecting pipe of 2011 Ford Mustang GT XO.

Step 1

Using a wrench to loosen the spherical clamps at start inlet and exit of H-pipe.

Step 2

Use a flat screwdriver to pry the clamp spring clip from the retainer pin on the H-pipe. (perform this process on both driver and passenger side of the car).

Step 3

Move the clamps rearwards to free the pipe, and pull the inlet of H-pipe to remove it.

Step 4

Replace the H-pipe with the new pipe and place all the clamps in position as earlier.

Step 5

Hold the pipe parallel to the ground and tighten the clamps with a good quality torque wrench. (perform this process on both driver and passenger side of the car).