Hi
I installed an OBX header on my 00 Sunfire 2.4 it seems like the header kit was not complete (bought it on ebay) or the muffler shop where I took it were morons... I´ve had several problems with my exhaust until I found the best muffler shop in town. My exhaust seems to move pretty bad while driving and I hear this metal clanking noise. they told me that the bolts and springs that are in the "conic packing" of the exhaust are missing. I really dont know how to tell that in english... Well I called the dealer and he told me "ah you want the bolts that go where the tube and the exhaust manifold unite". He told me there are two bolts but that the in his system didnt show any springs and that each bolt costs 20 dls to me that seems like a lot of money for some #~€# bolts.
well all I want to know if indeed our car has springs there and also if the ones from a sunfire with a 2.2 motor is the same as the one with the 2.4 motor or if I can use the ones from a Cavalier or where can I get them.
Thanks!
Anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac...
The OBX header I bought off eBay came with the bolts and springs. the "conic packing" is a sort of ball-joint where the header meets the down pipe and it allows the exhaust system to flex at that point so the engine can rock normally without breaking the exhaust system. The bolts supplied with the header are long and the springs slip over them so that an even tension is applied to the joint without clamping the bolts all the way down. If you took it somewhere and had it installed and they didn't use the bolts and springs the header came with, then you'll either have banging, clanging and exhaust leaks (if the joint is loose) or metal fatigue and breakage (if the joint is too tight). Sounds like they used shorter bolts without the springs and left it loose. These bolts and springs are not GM parts. I'd go back to where you had it installed and tell them to cough up the bolts and springs. If that's a no-go, the competent shop you finally ended up at should be able to come up with something as this type of joint has been used on GM FWD cars since the '80 X-bodies. The bolts are nothing special, but they have to match whatever springs are used so the length and tension is correct.
