Well, 44 is at the muffler shop today! I know because the exhaust tech called, all in a tither...
Me'an daBoise had just laid down, for our mid-morning nap, when my phone rang. I answered and the tech started throwing out terms like, "problem, v-band too close to oil pan", "I need to cut the skid plate" and "I need you to come to the shop".
When I got to the exhaust shop, he showed me the v-band was, in fact, too close to the oil pan. Rather than the indignant Danny, the logical, understanding Danny presented with, "how do we fix this". He suggested we drop the tri-pipe, cut the v-band flange, weld an 8" extension and a new flange, then reinstall the tri-pipe. Note: on multiple occasions, the guy that runs the exhaust shop told me that "we don't work in cars. We don't drop headers".
I called the auto shop and asked if they wanted me to drop the tri-pipe and he said, "no, we still have work to do, I'll have the exhaust shop do it". I handed the phone to the tech and he got his marching orders and all was good, for a moment...
THen I asked what the problem was with running the exhaust above the skid plate... The tech said, "I can't make a requisite bend above the skid,plate for two pipes". I asked why there were two pipes... Why not use the collector on the passenger floorboard? He grabbed a ladder and climbed up and came down with the collector. No one told him it was there.
So, I told him I wanted the exhaust run exactly like the old exhaust, keeping the heat shield between the pipe and the BOSS air bag and keeping the other heat shield between the pipe and the aux tank. And that I want a quiet muffler.
I asked if he wanted me to stay there and he said, he wouldn't need me again.
The exhaust world returned to its axis and smiles were shared all around.

I paid for the work and left, hoping I never need to discuss this again... Four times is enough.
So, 44 should go back to the auto shop tomorrow, for their final tweaks, tests, etc. - they haven't been able to drive it yet (other than to the exhaust shop)... I may get it back next week
