New Vectra B Downpipe

rabidh

I just went to replace the mid-section of my Vectra B exhaust and found that my downpipe's flexi is broken.

Does anyone know where I can get a cheap downpipe? Ideally I'd get one without a pre-cat and a cheap cat, but the only pipe I found mentioned on here cost about £350...

Or am I better cleaning up the old one and welding in a new flexi? To be honest it looks like it would only last another few years though.

Also I'm worried that the flexi breaking may be due to a damaged engine mount - are there any in particular that tend to go? A local garage reckoned they were fine, but I still find if I spin a wheel with TC off, the wheel tends to slip-grip-slip-grip, which seems pretty damning to me.

thanks!

rabidh

Just to add:
MIJ quote £280 for it, with a cat but without a pre-cat
AutoVaux quote £180 + vat, with the pre-cat - which is definitely nearer being a reasonable price.

JohnnyN

The rear mount (gearbox) is the one that usually fails and goes soggy.

rabidh

Thanks, I'll give that a look... I'm not sure I've been able to see the rear mount before.

I just got a call back from AutoVaux... Because my car is an X reg, it seems the emissions regs aren't quite as strict (I think this means it doesn't legally need the pre-cat). They looked into it, and they can get a new cat pipe made for £93 + vat. Bonus!

JohnnyN

Precats are only required at time of manufacture. They can be removed at anytime. They are not subject to the same rules as the main cats.

;-)