[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by Bruneti

Looks very nice, but 2 questions:
1. Why not clock the flange right after the cat 90 degrees so it's less likely to hook on something and easier to reach the fasteners. Looks to be plenty of room side to side.

Plenty of room, but the OEM design is up/down. Going sideways means you lose the whole modular thing.

Originally Posted by Bruneti

2. Could a flange be added between the y-pipe and the cat at the request of the customer? I like the idea of being able to bolt in a new cat. Seems silly to need to buy a whole new Y-pipe or have to weld a new cat into such pretty piping.

I think that's the plan. I think they just got a bit rushed on mine as they were already way over budget ($$$ and time wise).

Originally Posted by Bruneti

Very interested in an in-cab sound level comparison to the stock exhaust at several speeds and rpm's. Even using a cheap dB meter as well as beta tester feedback. Mine drones loudly somewhere between 1800 and 2000 rpm and its driving me nuts.

Planning on it. And since I happen to have a stock truck the thinks is hers......

[baktasht]

Originally Posted by Bruneti

Looks very nice, but 2 questions:
1. Why not clock the flange right after the cat 90 degrees so it's less likely to hook on something and easier to reach the fasteners. Looks to be plenty of room side to side.
2. Could a flange be added between the y-pipe and the cat at the request of the customer? I like the idea of being able to bolt in a new cat. Seems silly to need to buy a whole new Y-pipe or have to weld a new cat into such pretty piping.

Very interested in an in-cab sound level comparison to the stock exhaust at several speeds and rpm's. Even using a cheap dB meter as well as beta tester feedback. Mine drones loudly somewhere between 1800 and 2000 rpm and its driving me nuts.

1) Gabe posted the answer to that above
2) we can, but it's fairly pointless, These cats should last you around 100k miles or more. Most guys will not own their trucks that long. But, yes, we can do it if requested. It's going to add a bit more cost to the total cost though.

[Ebag333]

You will need a flange added anyway, if you intend to sell a replacable Y pipe that will mount to the OEM cats.

[baktasht]

Originally Posted by Ebag333

You will need a flange added anyway, if you intend to sell a replacable Y pipe that will mount to the OEM cats.

There's no flange on the OEM setup. The cat and y-pipe section, from what I can see are one piece. The only thing we can realistically do is to create a y-pipe section with a slip on joint and give people specific instructions on where to cut in order to have their OEM catalytic convertor section line up properly.

[Atoyot1031]

Look at the pics in post #1 here (http://http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-se...ipe-p0420.html) for an idea on the y-pipe flange. This would also allow your system to breakdown in smaller parts for shipping.

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by baktasht

There's no flange on the OEM setup. The cat and y-pipe section, from what I can see are one piece. The only thing we can realistically do is to create a y-pipe section with a slip on joint and give people specific instructions on where to cut in order to have their OEM catalytic convertor section line up properly.

D'oh, you're right. There is, however, a flange between the two cats. I don't think Mr. T thought that one quite all the way through.....

[boydmick]

I'm curious if you plan to use the factory rubber isolators, or are you bolting directly to the bracket as shown in the photos?

[baktasht]

Originally Posted by Atoyot1031

Look at the pics in post #1 here (http://http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-se...ipe-p0420.html) for an idea on the y-pipe flange. This would also allow your system to breakdown in smaller parts for shipping.

Interesting idea, but that still won't help people wanting to keep their OEM cat section unless they're willing to do some cutting and welding, not really a marketable retail solution. I'll toss around a few ideas with my fabricator and the mechanical engineer that helps us with these designs and see if we can come up with any solutions.

[Atoyot1031]

Originally Posted by baktasht

Interesting idea, but that still won't help people wanting to keep their OEM cat section unless they're willing to do some cutting and welding, not really a marketable retail solution.

10-4.

[Bruneti]

Originally Posted by baktasht

1) Gabe posted the answer to that above
2) we can, but it's fairly pointless, These cats should last you around 100k miles or more. Most guys will not own their trucks that long. But, yes, we can do it if requested. It's going to add a bit more cost to the total cost though.

I'm in Mexico and couldn't look under my truck. I forgot that Mr. T oriented it that way. Wise to leave it the same for compatibility with retained stock pieces.

I feel that Mr. T blew it on leaving out a flange before the #1 cat. It either requires a whole new Y-pipe or a hack job to replace. I personally feel that the kind of people who would buy your exhaust might very well be the type to keep it for another 100k miles. Members of this board are not your average vehicle owners. Therefore, the cost of the flange would be worth it to me as an option.

[Bruneti]

Originally Posted by baktasht

There's no flange on the OEM setup. The cat and y-pipe section, from what I can see are one piece. The only thing we can realistically do is to create a y-pipe section with a slip on joint and give people specific instructions on where to cut in order to have their OEM catalytic convertor section line up properly.

In one of my earlier posts I assumed that this was what you were doing, until I saw pics of that pretty Y-pipe you fabbed.

I would put a flange on that short straight section right before the cat. Basically the cat would be the same distance from the flange before it as it is from the one after it now. Keeps it out of the wheel well, unlike the one shown by Atoyot1031.

[billmiranda]

This still going on? I just got back from a couple of deployments.... I have a 97 (40th anniv) and I would be interested... in Virginia though.

-Bill

[baktasht]

Originally Posted by billmiranda

This still going on? I just got back from a couple of deployments.... I have a 97 (40th anniv) and I would be interested... in Virginia though.

-Bill

you have PM

[onewhippedpuppy]

I would also like a price PM when you have a catless system available to fit an FJ80. Out of curiosity, do you have any sound clips of the finished product?

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Out of curiosity, do you have any sound clips of the finished product?

Soon.

[Koffer]

Looks great so far
The couple things I see that might need a little fine tuning is the post cat O2 might work better closer towards the cat on the pipe right before it goes over the frame .
The other thing I'm running a 38gal sub tank that the stock system clears I cant tell if this one will .
The last is the way the tail pipe comes out the side .
I can see this getting smashed in a heartbeat . Maybe something that just dumps at the ground

[baktasht]

Originally Posted by Koffer

Looks great so far
The couple things I see that might need a little fine tuning is the post cat O2 might work better closer towards the cat on the pipe right before it goes over the frame .
The other thing I'm running a 38gal sub tank that the stock system clears I cant tell if this one will .
The last is the way the tail pipe comes out the side .
I can see this getting smashed in a heartbeat . Maybe something that just dumps at the ground

We can do one with a hidden tip that just dumps under the car a few inches further in. But you'd really have to hit just the perfect shaped rock to smash the tip in that location. The bumper and the tire will catch on most anything before the tip will because it's tucked in the corner between the tire/bumper. The sub-tank I'm not sure about, might clear. We don't have access to a truck with the sub tank, if it doesn't should be an easy fix.

[baktasht]

Is there anyone in the Austin, TX or Portland, OR area that has a pre-95 1fz truck that is willing to help out with some testing? I'm fairly certain we should be able to make a slightly different version for the pre-95 1fz guys pretty easily. If you're willing, shoot me a PM or email.

[Koffer]

Ok lets start out by saying , Yes theres "alot of rust " No, its what you get when you live in a spot where it snows,rains,gets up to 100% humidity in the summer and they use salt on the road to melt that stuff called "snow and ice"
Here are some pixs of the sub tank and the way it is made . Most aftermarket sub tanks are made to clear the stock exhaust.

[Koffer]

last one

[Koffer]

I thought of one other thing after posting the subtank pixs is will the tail pipe clear a spare tire thats still under the truck ? I see your test truck no longer has the winch under it for the spare .

just a thought to toss out too

[baktasht]

Originally Posted by Koffer

I thought of one other thing after posting the subtank pixs is will the tail pipe clear a spare tire thats still under the truck ? I see your test truck no longer has the winch under it for the spare .

just a thought to toss out too

Ebag333 didn't have a spare on his truck for measing, but I'm fairly certain that the stock spare will fit fine. A larger spare may or may not, would have to do some test fitting to be sure.

[Ebag333]

Updated information for ya guys:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...s-powered.html

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by baktasht

Ebag333 didn't have a spare on his truck for measing, but I'm fairly certain that the stock spare will fit fine. A larger spare may or may not, would have to do some test fitting to be sure.

Just measured it.

One thing is, a 35" tire is going to have interference from the rear cross-member (behind the bumper) anyway.

A 33" would just fit, and by "just" I mean "touching the exhaust".

They might be able to tuck it in there 5" more, but I think it'd take a mandrel bend and I think 2"-3" more is more reasonable. And then you'll have your exhaust very close to your rear tire.

Another option would be to add more bends, but you'd probably need 2-3 more to make it work.

The other option is just to dump it, and if you're really keen on having a 35" back there that'd be the way to go. I still think you're going to have to do something about the rear cross member as well, unless you don't mind your tire rubbing on it (I would).

[Koffer]

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Just measured it.

One thing is, a 35" tire is going to have interference from the rear cross-member (behind the bumper) anyway.

I was just tossing that out .
After reading your other post I'm wondering if theres going to be a fitment issue since they used your truck with a 1" body lift as it looks close in some parts where its goes over the frame at the cat and the rear cross member.

[landtank]

IMO you need to be able to comfortably fit a 33" tire under the truck with this exhaust.

Mocking it up on anything other than a stock truck would lead to fitment issues all around since most all accessories are designed around a stock exhaust.

If someone is adding an accessories that is known to have an interference issue with the stock exhaust they know that going in and are ready for it.

But installing something with no fitment issues and running into one because of an aftermarket system is aggravating to say the least.

If people start reporting these problems down the line I would think sales will suffer.

[baktasht]

Originally Posted by Koffer

I was just tossing that out .
After reading your other post I'm wondering if theres going to be a fitment issue since they used your truck with a 1" body lift as it looks close in some parts where its goes over the frame at the cat and the rear cross member.

The 1" lift was accounted for during prototyping. And another prototype is being fitted on a stock truck as well to confirm clearances.

As far as the tires/interference goes, we should be able to make more room with some modifications. Keep in mind we're only a couple of weeks from when we started from scratch, changes always get made along the way and we will not put out a product for public sale until it is something that I'd personally be okay with putting our company name on.

[firetruck41]

Glad to see this going forward, lookin' good. I would also concur, that it needs to fit a "stock" 80, and a 33" (285/75/16) spare tire, needs to be able to fit in the stock location.

[96r50]

x3 on fitting a stock truck and 33" spare in the stock location. I think this would cover a large percantage of 80 owners in the market for this system.

I would also second boydmick's question about how the exhaust is mounted. Does it reuse the factory rubber mounts? That would be a big plus IMO.

A third question/concern I have is the catalytic converter fitment with aftermarket sliders. I have a set of Metaltech's on my truck, and from the photos posted in this thread I'm not sure if the cat on this exhaust will fit inside the cat protector. Metaltech's sliders use a rib passing under the flange between the two cats to provide some of the structure of the slider, and I'm wondering if the cat in this exhaust will clear that rib. I understand that it's impossible to satisfy all of the people all of the time. With that said, sliders are a pretty common addition to 80s so having the exhaust work with them would be a big selling point.

Keep up the good work!

From Metaltech's site

[baktasht]

We'll address the spare tire fitment and clear up room where required.

For the sliders, the cat will fit within the "protected" area just fine. What I don't know for sure is whether the arm/bracket that runs between the two OEM cat's will clear ours. It may clear, we'd have to fit one to be sure. If not, we may be able to move some things around, we'll need to look further into that.