[BSMG82M4]

Has anyone had an issue with Active Autowerke catted down pipes not lining up with a Valvetronic single mid pipe?

The shorter AA downpipe fits with the long stock downpipe but when you try both the alignment is thrown off. Guessing the long downpipe is off. Had a second set of downpipes delivered from AA and still the same issue.

We don’t want to heat and modify the downpipe but we are running out of ideas.

[mike@x-ph.com]

did you test them with the stock parts?

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

did you test them with the stock parts?

Yes, we tried interchanging the stock and AA short and long downpipes. The short AA worked with the long stock. We even had two sets of downpipes from AA and tried both long downpipes. One was better than the other but still didn’t fit.

The fact that they have multiple
configurations is telling us that this problem is common.

[forcefed]

Which part did you install just now, the aa downpipes or the valvetronic exhaust?
If you just installed the aa downpipes and took out the stock ones that were connected to the valvetronic midpipe then the aa downpipes are messed up.

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Which part did you install just now, the aa downpipes or the valvetronic exhaust?
If you just installed the aa downpipes and took out the stock ones that were connected to the valvetronic midpipe then the aa downpipes are messed up.

Correct! The single midpipe has been in for a couple of months and worked fine with the stock downpipes. The midpipe even works with the stock long downpipe and AA short downpipe. It’s when you try to install the long AA downpipe that it throws everything off.

[forcefed]

Sounds like the jig at the supplier moved then, refund time.

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Sounds like the jig at the supplier moved then, refund time.

Had to!!! There’s not much room to maneuver in these engine bays. The fitment of the downpipes should be laser accurate. The fact that there are different iterations of pipe configurations (this is the replacement set that also doesn’t fit) shows that this isn’t there first time experiencing this problem:

[Dawgz]

apparently valvetronic has admitted that their jig was messed up at some point.

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by Dawgz

apparently valvetronic has admitted that their jig was messed up at some point.

Since the Valvetronic midpipe worked with the stock downpipes, I’m going to focus on getting Active Autowerke to try to fix their long downpipe. The AA short downpipe also works.

[M4Lou]

If you totally disconnect the midpipe from rear section/remove it - will it then attach to the two (newly installed) downpipes??

[OGOverkill]

I had the same issue with the AA downpipes not lining up to the stock mid pipe. I ended up pinching the o2 sensor unfortunately. I ended up cutting the welds off the bolts that ******t to the mid pipe as they were not welded on square.

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by OGOverkill

I had the same issue with the AA downpipes not lining up to the stock mid pipe. I ended up pinching the o2 sensor unfortunately. I ended up cutting the welds off the bolts that ******t to the mid pipe as they were not welded on square.

We are going to do the same. Sucks that they don’t line up. It’s not that there off by a hair either, they are significantly off.

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

If you totally disconnect the midpipe from rear section/remove it - will it then attach to the two (newly installed) downpipes??

We didn’t try that, but it might make sense. With equal length pipes you can make up for small adjustments by moving the midpipe right, left, up or down. Having the single midpipe doesn’t leave a lot of room for error since the fitting where the pipe splits is so close to the connection to the downpipes.

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

If you totally disconnect the midpipe from rear section/remove it - will it then attach to the two (newly installed) downpipes??

You are the man!!! That’s what we are going to do. Slightly modifying the midpipe will work! Yay!!!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Koolquest

You are the man!!! That’s what we are going to do. Slightly modifying the midpipe will work! Yay!!!

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

If you totally disconnect the midpipe from rear section/remove it - will it then attach to the two (newly installed) downpipes??

Again, you’re the man!!! A little modification to the midpipe and we are back in business.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Koolquest

Again, you’re the man!!! A little modification to the midpipe and we are back in business.

[Sonic RR]

Everything AA I've ever touched has been top quality. Ain't no GD way I'd pay the kinda M tax they charge on any of these components and have to modify them. Mix'n brands may have played a part but worries me. 3K for AA or Apex DP's with a reasonable quality (GESI) cat.




Sonic

[BSMG82M4]

Originally Posted by Chi58

Paying all that money to do more work is a joke.

Ouch!!! I’m embarrassed to say what the fix cost.