96 SL1 flex pipe rusted out-HELP Please!

[jimpennjr]

I'm in CT and I need a place that won't rob me blind to cut out the old flex and weld in a new section. I have called 2 places and both want over $200 bucks to cut out and weld in. I have trouble with that when a section of flex is $20, a header to flex before cat is $55, and header including cat is $180. Anyone close who knows a shop or can do this themselves. Thanks in advance, Jim

PS- If this a normal price to cut and weld tell me so.

[jamie930]

OEM pipes are bolted together.

Manifold bolts to flex pipe, flex pipe bolts to cat, cat bolts to exhaust pipe. Then the muffler to exhaust pipe has a slip over joint with a clamp.

No welding required

[.kevin.]

I paid I think 70 for labor and the pipe at this muffler shop. I do think their prices are lower than average though. They did my muffler for 55 and it was more for a muffler at advanced auto parts with the hanger.

[off-track]

Originally Posted by jamie930

OEM pipes are bolted together.

Manifold bolts to flex pipe, flex pipe bolts to cat, cat bolts to exhaust pipe. Then the muffler to exhaust pipe has a slip over joint with a clamp.

No welding required

Umm, no, I don't think so? The flex connection to the cat is welded.

Hmm, kind of disturbing though.. I just just hit RA and Santurnparts and those items are no longer listed! It used to be around $160 IIRC? AZ is off-line and OR wants $202 for the assembly. (EDIT: nm, just found it on RA for $166 under the SL2, just not under SOHC. Are they different exhausts?)

FWIW, I went to Meineke here when My son's exhaust cracked at the flex and they welded in a new one for ~$150 (plus the missing hangers that cause it to crack in the first place).