Need Advice...SOLO HFC + MACH XL Cat-Back = Saggy Exhaust - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JRT · 06-17-2013, 11:04 AM

For the second time my SOLO HFC and MACH XL cat back is sagging at the cat\catback joint and clanging on my tunnel brace. the first time the dude tightened back up and tack welded the band clamps.

I do not understand why there is no factory hanger on this exhaust anywhere except all the way in the back. And I do not understand this mesh expansion joint that the SOLO cats have. Seems like a good way to generate a leak.

Should I have the whole system welded? Will that hold it up or create fracture point at the cat\catback weld? Is there another way to hang it up? I just hate to weld it because then it is permanent.

What ya guys think? Thanks!

RJT-SS · 06-17-2013, 01:08 PM

Did you contact Solo? The mesh expansion joint is for vibration isolation. It is needed on the L99s (auto trans) because of AFM.

I don't recommend welding any stock aftermarket exhaust for the reasons you mentioned plus you pretty much won't get any support from the manufacturer after that.

JRT · 06-17-2013, 05:00 PM

OK, the AFM vibration makes sense now though it doesn't matter to me as I have AFM tuned out. I don't expect any support from them because I bought the full exhaust used on this forum.

Has anyone made any kind of support brackets coming off of the tunnel; brace? Ones that are isolated as to not produce NVH?

Juiced1 · 06-17-2013, 05:16 PM

Most people run into this problem with the 3" systems. The easy fix is some washers on the tunnel brace for a bit of extra clearance.

JRT · 06-17-2013, 06:27 PM

I have 3 or 4 washer on the tunnel brace already and now this system is sitting right on the brace. I do not believe anything is broken, but It rattles like a box of rocks. This system is flat out hanging with nothing to support it so either it gets weld together, some kind of brackets off of the tunnel brace or welded to the body.

Anyone run into this and want to share their solution?
Thanks a bunch!

06-17-2013, 11:04 AM	#1
JRT Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: VA Posts: 400	Need Advice...SOLO HFC + MACH XL Cat-Back = Saggy Exhaust For the second time my SOLO HFC and MACH XL cat back is sagging at the cat\catback joint and clanging on my tunnel brace. the first time the dude tightened back up and tack welded the band clamps. I do not understand why there is no factory hanger on this exhaust anywhere except all the way in the back. And I do not understand this mesh expansion joint that the SOLO cats have. Seems like a good way to generate a leak. Should I have the whole system welded? Will that hold it up or create fracture point at the cat\catback weld? Is there another way to hang it up? I just hate to weld it because then it is permanent. What ya guys think? Thanks! __________________ 2011 IOM SS/RS L99 2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon Red Last edited by JRT; 06-17-2013 at 05:02 PM.

06-17-2013, 01:08 PM	#2
RJT-SS Drives: '11 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Orleans Posts: 504	Did you contact Solo? The mesh expansion joint is for vibration isolation. It is needed on the L99s (auto trans) because of AFM. I don't recommend welding any stock aftermarket exhaust for the reasons you mentioned plus you pretty much won't get any support from the manufacturer after that. __________________ Performance Mods: Kooks 1-7/8 LTs; Calico coated w/HFCs, Solo Mach XL catback w/J-pipes, VMax TB, C.A.I. Intake, JRE Tune, RX Catch-Can

06-17-2013, 05:00 PM	#3
JRT Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: VA Posts: 400	OK, the AFM vibration makes sense now though it doesn't matter to me as I have AFM tuned out. I don't expect any support from them because I bought the full exhaust used on this forum. Has anyone made any kind of support brackets coming off of the tunnel; brace? Ones that are isolated as to not produce NVH? __________________ 2011 IOM SS/RS L99 2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon Red

06-17-2013, 06:27 PM	#5
JRT Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: VA Posts: 400	I have 3 or 4 washer on the tunnel brace already and now this system is sitting right on the brace. I do not believe anything is broken, but It rattles like a box of rocks. This system is flat out hanging with nothing to support it so either it gets weld together, some kind of brackets off of the tunnel brace or welded to the body. Anyone run into this and want to share their solution? Thanks a bunch! __________________ 2011 IOM SS/RS L99 2015 Ducati Diavel Carbon Red

06-17-2013, 05:16 PM	#4
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,663	Most people run into this problem with the 3" systems. The easy fix is some washers on the tunnel brace for a bit of extra clearance.