Exhaust modification issue!

[deprived]

Adding a new sway bar to my 2008 Tiffin. The sway install was going along just fine but unfortunately my exhaust is slightly different than the expected design. Perhaps my rig has had exhaust work or perhaps someone at the Freightliner factory was bored and decided to get a little creative and added a crook-shaped bit of pipe to the exhaust instead of the right-angle that is usually found in this model.

In any event, the exhaust pipe intrudes on the sway bar install but just a few inches.

The way I see it, I have two choices.

1: Replace the odd curved pipe section with a flexible section that is bent at a sharper angle, which will more closely resemble the stock exhaust.

2: Cut a few inches out of the straight part of the exhaust pipe and move the whole shebang forward , replacing the cut-out section with a length of flex-pipe or pipe clamp.

Both solutions are about the same amount of work. The flexible pipes get very favorable reviews, particularly among truckers and hotrodders.

The question I have is - does it make any difference in terms of engine performance and function? I don't really know much about exhaust theory. I don't know which method is best for exhaust flow.

Does it even matter?



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[j-d]

Congratulations on the FRED! Somebody'll get a Jambo with a great front suspension!

[deprived]

j-d wrote:
Replace the crook with an elbow, but get a Mandrel Bent Elbow, NOT a crimped one. This is a mandrel bent from a speed shop

NOT this Crimped type from a chain store auto parts

The smooth mandrel bent one will flow better and last longer.
What are you driving these days? Doesn't seem to be the Jambo.

HEY!!! I still have the Jambo but will be selling it soon. We bought a 2007 Tiffin Allegro Open Road FRED. We needed more room for work and the 27-footer just wasn't cutting it.

I will definitely look in to the mandrel-bent pipe.

[RLS7201]

I have purchased stainless flex pipe from my local Freightliner dealer, along with the stepped SS clamps. Rust not a problem. The flex pipe would solve any expansion/contraction problems.

Richard

[Lynnmor]

Just wonder if the design was done that way for expansion and contraction of a long, straight run of pipe. If the hangers are rather ridgid, you might want to think about that possibility.

[burningman]

I would avoid flex pipe. It will rust out way too quickly.
It’s a super-convenient problem solver but it’s not durable.

[j-d]

Replace the crook with an elbow, but get a Mandrel Bent Elbow, NOT a crimped one. This is a mandrel bent from a speed shop

NOT this Crimped type from a chain store auto parts

The smooth mandrel bent one will flow better and last longer.
What are you driving these days? Doesn't seem to be the Jambo.

[ScottG]

It wont make any difference. Shortening the exhaust either way is fine.

[RJsfishin]

VoodooMedicineMan wrote:
# 1 looks less restrictive

#2 is less restrictive, that's why it was done that way in the first place. The smaller the radius elbow, the more restrictive, by more than you think.

[tarnold]

If you shorten the straight pipe, say by 6", what does that do the tip that exits out under the coach. In other words, will the new location of the tip be in the way or to close to something it shouldn't. New hangers would also have to be moved.

[Dutch_12078]

Replace the odd elbow with a standard 90° exhaust pipe elbow. Or shorten the pipe using a standard exhaust pipe coupling. Either one will outlast most flex pipe and cost less.

[VoodooMedicineM]

# 1 looks less restrictive

[Ava]

What ever is easier for you, It shouldn’t make any difference with a slight exhaust change.