Need Some Help/Advice; Take a look a this picture - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TexasTechZ06 · 06-07-2010, 12:37 PM

Well, I wasn't sure where to post this topic, but since it involves an aftermarket exhaust, I thought it would best fit in this section.

I recently installed Flowmaster's American Thunder Catback Exhaust. The system installed uneventfully and sounds really good...no problems there.

The problem I'm having is that the flowmaster X-Pipe, being a 3" system is now coming in contact with what I can describe as the "Cross Bracket" underneath the car. It occurs when going through a dip or a bump, and creates a "metal hitting metal sound", very annoying.

My friend and I did the install, so we added some additional washers to the bolts that hold the bracket so that we can increase the gap between the bracket and the x-pipe. However, I need to add more washers because they are still coming in contact when going through dips and bumps.

What I was wondering is what purpose does this "cross bracket" serve and can it be removed completely? I was thinking of removing it completely and reinserting the bolts, being that the bolts do hold the heat shield in place. I just don't know if the cross bracket serves some type of purpose for reinforcement. I also wonder if an aftermarket replacement bracket it available, that will allow clearance for an 3" system.

I'm sure that many of you who have installed aftermarket catbacks have run into this problem.

Check out the picture below and chime in!

Thanks

Update:It turns out that the problem all this time was the the clamps on the exhaust section weren't tight enough. This lead to the X-Pipe sagging downward and therefore despite my best efforts to add more space to the bracket, it kept hitting it. So, for all you who install your own catback, make sure you properly tighten your clamps with a torqued wrench or a power wrench. It will save you hours and days of confusion.

KungFuHamster · 06-07-2010, 12:40 PM

id say remove that bracket.

PAUL SS · 06-07-2010, 12:46 PM

I wouldn't remove that brace, but I might look for longer bolts and a better spacer than stacked washers. Maybe a short piece (1/2") iron pipe in the correct diameter.

KungFuHamster · 06-07-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAUL SS

I wouldn't remove that brace, but I might look for longer bolts and a better spacer than stacked washers. Maybe a short piece (1/2") iron pipe in the correct diameter.

is this new body style as loose as the old 3rd and 4th gens? (lots of body flex) i just assumed they were pretty stiff from the factory...now if theyre like the older styles...then i agree with you 100%

speedster · 06-07-2010, 12:53 PM

GM didn't put the brace in without a valid reason. IMO, space it down and leave it.

Dre2216 · 06-07-2010, 01:08 PM

There are a few people on here who sell a replacement brace that works with a 3" exhaust. The only one I can think of at the moment is Barton. Try this and search around here as I know there are others. http://www.bartonindustries.com/BUY-Tunnel-Brace.html

caverman · 06-07-2010, 01:09 PM

There are a couple people selling aftermarket braces that will clear the 3" exhaust.

Barton is one of them. I think BMR has something as well. Roughly $80-$100.

Russell James · 06-07-2010, 01:29 PM

More washers.

fargomike · 06-07-2010, 01:30 PM

Elite Engineering makes one that I can think of .

http://eliteengineeringusa.com/Camaro_Tplate.html

TexasTechZ06 · 06-07-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fargomike

Elite Engineering makes one that I can think of .

http://eliteengineeringusa.com/Camaro_Tplate.html

I guess it does serve a purpose! According to this website, the tunnel bracket adds stiffness and rigidity to the chassis. So...I'll likely go with an aftermarket upgraded bracket.

Thanks everyone for the input so far.

Scrappy Doo · 06-07-2010, 04:33 PM

I added a couple washers to mine, no more rattle.

axis · 06-07-2010, 07:30 PM

It definitely has a job and does it pretty well. A good friend removed his for his aftermarket exhaust and could feel the car was flexing more. Only under certain circumstances but could definitely feel it.

clg_98ta · 06-07-2010, 08:00 PM

I agree that you need to keep the brace for structural integrity. There are a number of aftermarket options. I know that BMR Fabrication makes one, but I don't know how much extra clearance it buys you. Pretty much anyone running a 3" exhaust has to have one though.

green man · 06-08-2010, 07:47 PM

Pretty sure I read one member loosened his exhaust bolts, put a shim (1 x 2 ) under the cross member and tightened everything up then removed the shim..no more contact.

06-07-2010, 12:37 PM	#1
TexasTechZ06 Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 68	Need Some Help/Advice; Take a look a this picture Well, I wasn't sure where to post this topic, but since it involves an aftermarket exhaust, I thought it would best fit in this section. I recently installed Flowmaster's American Thunder Catback Exhaust. The system installed uneventfully and sounds really good...no problems there. The problem I'm having is that the flowmaster X-Pipe, being a 3" system is now coming in contact with what I can describe as the "Cross Bracket" underneath the car. It occurs when going through a dip or a bump, and creates a "metal hitting metal sound", very annoying. My friend and I did the install, so we added some additional washers to the bolts that hold the bracket so that we can increase the gap between the bracket and the x-pipe. However, I need to add more washers because they are still coming in contact when going through dips and bumps. What I was wondering is what purpose does this "cross bracket" serve and can it be removed completely? I was thinking of removing it completely and reinserting the bolts, being that the bolts do hold the heat shield in place. I just don't know if the cross bracket serves some type of purpose for reinforcement. I also wonder if an aftermarket replacement bracket it available, that will allow clearance for an 3" system. I'm sure that many of you who have installed aftermarket catbacks have run into this problem. Check out the picture below and chime in! Thanks Update:It turns out that the problem all this time was the the clamps on the exhaust section weren't tight enough. This lead to the X-Pipe sagging downward and therefore despite my best efforts to add more space to the bracket, it kept hitting it. So, for all you who install your own catback, make sure you properly tighten your clamps with a torqued wrench or a power wrench. It will save you hours and days of confusion. Last edited by TexasTechZ06; 06-10-2010 at 06:50 PM.

06-07-2010, 12:46 PM	#3
PAUL SS The Mark of Excellence Drives: 2010 ABM 1SS RS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Smallest State in the Union Posts: 8,688 View My Garage	I wouldn't remove that brace, but I might look for longer bolts and a better spacer than stacked washers. Maybe a short piece (1/2") iron pipe in the correct diameter. __________________ BMR, CAI, DynoMax, Elite Eng., Hurst, Jannetty, Clear Image Headers & Hi Flow cats, Jet Hot, LSR, TSW, VMax, Vredestein

06-07-2010, 12:53 PM	#5
speedster SST... Drives: SST Camaro 2010 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Coast of Florida Posts: 5,927 View My Garage	GM didn't put the brace in without a valid reason. IMO, space it down and leave it. __________________

06-07-2010, 01:08 PM	#6
Dre2216 Drives: 1SS IOM M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Enfield, CT Posts: 264 View My Garage	There are a few people on here who sell a replacement brace that works with a 3" exhaust. The only one I can think of at the moment is Barton. Try this and search around here as I know there are others. http://www.bartonindustries.com/BUY-Tunnel-Brace.html __________________ 1SS/RS-6M-Inferno Orange NKKV6J---2G1FS1EW4A9134727 SLP LM II 2/26 - Car Back From Dealer!

06-07-2010, 01:09 PM	#7
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	There are a couple people selling aftermarket braces that will clear the 3" exhaust. Barton is one of them. I think BMR has something as well. Roughly $80-$100. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

06-07-2010, 12:40 PM	#2
KungFuHamster Drives: Black SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 454	id say remove that bracket.

06-07-2010, 01:29 PM	#8
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	More washers.

06-07-2010, 01:30 PM	#9
fargomike The Dude Abides Drives: Black 2SS M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fargo , ND Posts: 489	Elite Engineering makes one that I can think of . http://eliteengineeringusa.com/Camaro_Tplate.html

06-07-2010, 04:33 PM	#11
Scrappy Doo Drives: Callaway Rogue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W8n 4 Snow, Minnesota Posts: 4,731	I added a couple washers to mine, no more rattle.

06-07-2010, 07:30 PM	#12
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	It definitely has a job and does it pretty well. A good friend removed his for his aftermarket exhaust and could feel the car was flexing more. Only under certain circumstances but could definitely feel it. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

06-07-2010, 08:00 PM	#13
clg_98ta Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,698 View My Garage	I agree that you need to keep the brace for structural integrity. There are a number of aftermarket options. I know that BMR Fabrication makes one, but I don't know how much extra clearance it buys you. Pretty much anyone running a 3" exhaust has to have one though. __________________ Black 2SS ordered 1/4/2010, received 2/19/2010

06-08-2010, 07:47 PM	#14
green man Drives: 1SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 198	Pretty sure I read one member loosened his exhaust bolts, put a shim (1 x 2 ) under the cross member and tightened everything up then removed the shim..no more contact. __________________ Gripping the wheel, his knuckles went white with desire! The wheels of his Camaro exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45. True death: 426 horsepower of maximum performance piercing the night... This is black sunshine.

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