I'm working on an exhaust for my 325is, and I have had trouble finding any tail pipe expanders that acutally work. The cheapies from the auto parts store strip and break when I try to use them. They are based on the idea that as you tighten the center bolt of the expander, it moves a cone against the outside sleeves, expanding the pipe.
I bought a more expensive (still cheap -$20) from a professional tool store. It is simply an expandable cylinder with curved eneds that can be bludgeoned with a hammer to expand the pipe. This sort of works, but would take an immense amount of time, even to mildly expand exhaust pipe.
So, there are more expensive expanders out there, but do they work? KD tools has one that is the bolt/expansion type for $70-80. Does anyone have experience with expanders that work? Your input is welcomed.
PS - I know the hydraulic ones at muffler shops are great, but I don't have a few thou to spend on one limited use tool. Also, I'm sure some of you will suggest having a shop do the exhaust. I'm trying to avoid that because I'm also getting rid of the cat. Lastly, with the exhaust I'm doing, it wouldn't be practical to pay a shop to do it or to even do all the expansions/flanges. So please, limit responses to the questions asked, not suggestions of other ways to do an exhaust. Thanks.
I bought a more expensive (still cheap -$20) from a professional tool store. It is simply an expandable cylinder with curved eneds that can be bludgeoned with a hammer to expand the pipe. This sort of works, but would take an immense amount of time, even to mildly expand exhaust pipe.
So, there are more expensive expanders out there, but do they work? KD tools has one that is the bolt/expansion type for $70-80. Does anyone have experience with expanders that work? Your input is welcomed.
PS - I know the hydraulic ones at muffler shops are great, but I don't have a few thou to spend on one limited use tool. Also, I'm sure some of you will suggest having a shop do the exhaust. I'm trying to avoid that because I'm also getting rid of the cat. Lastly, with the exhaust I'm doing, it wouldn't be practical to pay a shop to do it or to even do all the expansions/flanges. So please, limit responses to the questions asked, not suggestions of other ways to do an exhaust. Thanks.