Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

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jimmycakes401

Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by jimmycakes401 »

My resonator in the center section is rotted out. I have the ability to cut out the resonator and weld in a straight pipe. So I'm looking at $20-40 in materials for that. OR I can spend $118 at Auto Racambi and buy the center section and bolt it in. THoughts? Which is more of a hassle? Will the bolt break and leave me high and dry? I've been PB blasting them for weeks.
BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by BEEK »

bolts breaking is no problem, you can replace them, and i would recomend it anyway. as far as resonator delete, thats a personal opinion, it will make your car louder! these engines are very loud un muffled, i loved it when racing back in the day.
you could hear the fiat comming for a mile where everything else was a lower pitch . a lampredi strung up at 8k sounds wonderful
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
jimmycakes401

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by jimmycakes401 »

I thought it was odd that the straight pipe center section costs more. At least from what I've seen on the web. Auto Racambi seems to have the least expensive center section. Does anyone have any other recommendations? I can't afford stainless. I just want to make sure it's quality and that I don't have to bang my head against a wall installing it. I've done that enough with every other part of this car. :D
jimmycakes401

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by jimmycakes401 »

Also, I assume I need the CAT gasket for this. I really don't want to order this thing just to find out I forgot to snag a .99 cent essential part. LOL
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124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by 124JOE »

in my case i had a bent center section,so when i did the exhaust i did the whole thing
but i waited untill i could afford it all

if you dont want to redo it in two years get the new one
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by narfire »

I took the resonator out on mine when I went to a 2" pipe. Yes it is a bit louder but tolerable. (have an Ansa muffler, no cat)
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
jimmycakes401

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by jimmycakes401 »

Well. If I wait until I can aford the whole exhaust I may never get on the road. Lol
jimmycakes401

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by jimmycakes401 »

Ordered my part. Decided to see if I could just take it off today so I'd be ready when it came in. The rear clamp came off with zero problem. Then I removed the top two CAT bolts, but the bottom two just spin. The little factory clamps that keep them from spinning wore out. Guess I'll need to cut them off. I can't get a wrench around them even when I bend the tabs back.
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124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by 124JOE »

i would tack weld them

but i know you dont have a welder
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
jimmycakes401

Re: Center Exhaust - Patch or Replace

Post by jimmycakes401 »

I have a welder. But then I'd be taking my CAT which I won't feel like grinding. I don't mind messing up the center section though. :D
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