Magnaflow cat & mid section fitment issus

[Gavin]

My new Magnaflow mid section: http://www.discountperformanceautoparts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.g arden_flypage&product_id=45971&category_id=9054&ma nufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37&vm cchk=1&Itemid=37

I’ve installed her now and I’m disappointed to say that it doesn’t line up precisely at the factory 3-1 collector flanges. On each of the two triangular flanges one corner is tight but a gap remains at the other two points. The flex pipe should ‘flex’ as to allow me close up these gaps, but I’ve torqued the flange bolts to the point where I’m worried I’ll break them if I tighten them anymore, and the gaps still remain. The rest of the system has only been hand tightened, so it’s not as though this piece is being pulled out of alignment.

So, questions:

Would it be reasonable/ advisable for me to use my torch to heat up the Magnaflow tubes just downstream of the flange in question & try to torque the flange bolts down more to close the gap?

Alternatively, should I perhaps heat up the flex pipe?

Are there any products I could use to cover this gap, like a crush-ring gasket I could install in the flange?

[Gavin]

OK, I solved the problem, and didn’t wind up using my torch to do it.

My local performance exhaust shop said the 1mm gap I was left with was no big deal. They said that they see misalignments like that in domestic systems fairly frequently. I just put a bead of copper/silicone exhaust goop on either side of my flange gaskets, torqued the snot out of the bolts and called it a day, seems to be working just fine at the moment.

Overall I’ve been less than impressed with this mid section; it’s not terrible, but I had expected more from a company like Magnoflow. Low quality flex pipe, messy welds, alignment issues, but maybe my expectations were too high?

[Naplm00]

i have the same piece and had one for my 325e

they both fit like shit, but get the job done for a low price