Magnaflow Ypipe part# 23353 - Anyone installed?

[searcherrr]

Anyday now Magnaflow is going to send me shipping info so I can get the Ypipe thing squared away. I'd usually move on to another brand at this point, but I'll be returning the pipe to the seller for my money back and getting a free one from Magnaflow (as their guinea pig) in return + my old pipe back as well. Hard to pass that up even though its gonna be a few weeks wait and after all I really did want Magnaflow brand cats. In any case the van will sit with tape over the exhaust manifolds till I get the new Ypipe back. Might be a good time to go buy a cover for the van cause its gonna go in the backyard till I get the new Ypipe.

The seller of the pipe said that he has sold these pipes before and never had any problems. I would venture to say that everyone who did buy this setup for sure for the 95's has an O2 sensor hitting the steering rack and for the 96 - 97's its highly likely as well. I don't list 98's because this part number was listed only for the 95 - 97's.

[searcherrr]

Magnaflow is stalling or their Finance dept is taking forever. In any case I'm about to just have their pipe modified rather than sent back. I'm less and less liking the idea of my van sitting in the back yard for 2-3 months while they pump out a new one. Even though my car is about to be back on the road and I'd have it to drive I want/NEED to put all this stuff behind me and move on.

[searcherrr]

I finally bolted up the exhaust today and I'm very unhappy to relay that the flex pipe does not line up right with the rest of the exhaust and the ypipe or the other way around. The receiving muffler side of the cat-back exhaust setup is slightly pointed down and I have no idea why. The magnaflow pipe will not allow the flanges to meet flush as the pipe extends "slanted" beyond the flange welded on it.

I have to say I've heard lots of great things about Magnaflow, but this experience has me never wanting to buy from them again. There are several parts of the Ypipe that just did not line up and were show stoppers without weld modifications. At least the weld adjustment to the pipe O2 port finally got the O2 in the right position so that it does not hit the steering rack. I will be bringing the van to the same weld shop tomorrow to finish the damn exhaust once and for all. I'm worried the flex-pipe is bent beyond its tolerance cause I can see light through the tiny holes on the other side. I'm so f'ing aggravated right now. I need this crap to be over.

Verdict: At least for the 95 Windstar 3.8L unless you want a crapload of trouble to deal with do not buy the Magnaflow Ypipe 23353. It is NOT bolt-on because its poorly made.

Magnaflow never got back with me on THEIR IDEA to remake the pipe. I contacted them and will be demanding they pay for the modifications I had to get done to make it fit right.

[searcherrr]

More info: The exhaust shop was able to cut off the excess pipe beyond the rear Ypipe flange so the flex pipe could meet flush. However their weld work has the 1st muffler touching the van underbody. The biggest problem I face now as told by the exhaust shop is the Ypipe is leaking at both manifold junctions which I guess is my fault for thinking they'd seal metal-on-metal due to the way they are designed. The leaks show themselves pretty violently by shaking the van at a certain low RPM range. Its not nearly as pleasant to drive as it was before. If this sealant crap doesn't fix it I'm done with this bs and I will be putting the OEM pipe back on.

[s1120]

There is a trick to getting a Ypipe like thast to seal. You want to make sure its up, and all bolts are started, and bring bolth pipes up a little at a time. If you tighted one fuly before the other, it WILL leak.


Other then that sorry about all the problems yoou have had. Almost seems it would have better to just make your own. I built my own for my Bronco, and it came out great!!!