Fabspeed fit problem?

ckelly · 03-08-2003, 05:59 AM

Has anyone else experienced fit problems with a Fabspeed pre-muffler. I ordered one for my 80SC 3.0, from Joe at Fabspeed, received it, and attempted to install it, and low and behold....it doesn't fit

I ordered another one and explained my problem to him, even emailed pictures, he claims that's impossible as they're welded in a jig. I told him my stock cat fit fine, my Bursch by-pass pipe fit fine, but his does not, it angles off to the passenger side where the muffler attaches. I received the second one today, same thing

Anyone else have this problem, at nearly 300 bucks with shipping, it outta fit right? I'm sure he's sold hundreds of these, so maybe his jig has slipped or maybe nobody's complained. If there's enough response we can present it to him and maybe fix the problem.

Mike Feinstein · Mike Feinstein's Garage

I recently ordered one and installed it about a month ago....fit perfectly. Can't imagine why yours isn't fitting. Joe's a pretty good guy...I'm sure he'll make it right.

MotoSook · 03-08-2003, 06:39 AM

I've heard the the Fabspeeds can be a bit off, but that looks like it was welded together on a ship at see in a storm. Can you loosen the muffler to try and mate the flanges?

Wavey · 03-08-2003, 07:20 AM

Wow, that really is off, Clay. Is there any wiggle room in the rest of the system? I've read about this problem many times in this BB and at Rennlist. I'm working today but if I get time later I'll do a search on both. I also have a new one that I haven't had time to install yet, but just looking at it, it appears that the inlet flange isn't square to the outlet flange, just like your last picture. However, they way yours fits, it appears that the inlet flange is the culprit. I'm sure if we present Joe with enough evidence he'll make any needed adjustments to his jig.

As we discussed, you could probably get the inlet flange milled on an angle to get it aligned. The bolt holes may need to be cleaned up a little to get the bolts to fit, because then the holes would not longer be square to each.

Embs · Embs's Garage

I have used their products in the past and I have to say they were excellent. Their customer service sucked, but their products fit my application perfectly and were very well made.

Steve W · Steve W's Garage

I notice what appears to be a big tip Dansk muffler there. What if you just shift the muffler over to the right a little?

ckelly · 03-08-2003, 08:15 AM

I can't go to the right any more more, after taking this picture I loosened up the muffler again and moved it about another 1/2" over, still won't go, and the muffler tips are rubbing the rear valance, looks real lopsided too.

I can't tell if the inlet or outlet is the real culprit, after doing some measuring, looks like a little of both, I think if the inlet is milled the outlet will line up square. I clamped the inlet side down flat to my workbench, then measured the outlet height off the bench, as you can see in the pictures, here's my inch or so off.

How many people here have had problems??? I'd like to tell Joe this isn't an isolated incident and that I'm not incapable of installing this correctly.

Bursch by-pass

Stock kitty

Fabspeed pre-muff

Thomas Owen · 10:15 AM

Mine fit perfectly. That picture with the framing square says it all - looks like the flanges just are not squared up like they shoud be. If that inlet is off by just a small amount it will kick the outlet over quite a bit.

(My Bursch bypass and original cat measure about 7/8" from the table up to the flange.)
Good luck,

SK · 03-08-2003, 07:39 PM

I noticed that the flange on mine was a bit off square. Had some problems getting the flanges to snug up. It was not as far off as yours.

don911 · don911's Garage

Mine was off as well. I loosend the muffler clamps and was able to get all the bolts started. I was able to pull everything up but wasn't happy with it. There's a lot of preload on everything.

ckelly · 03-09-2003, 04:51 AM

Yeah, I could jerry it together I suppose then crank on it in order to get it close, porta-power maybe, but I don't think it would all hold, with that much load something would give at some point. Hopefully if I get enough feedback, Joe will at least take a look at the problem.

old seventy six · 03-09-2003, 05:30 AM

After shifting my stock muffler 1/2-3/4" to the passenger it lined up fine.

Wavey · 03-09-2003, 05:32 AM

Well, that's 3 that didn't fit - vs - 2 that did fit. Plus mine which is undetermined.

I clamped mine down like you did - pics attached. My inlet flange doesn't seem to be off as much as yours, as evidenced by the tape measure, but the outlet is definitely out of square like yours is.

It seems that we can at least say that quality control may be a problem. The welds and finish are top notch but his jig seems to be squirrely.

It will probably be a week or two before I get time to install mine (with a Dansk Sport muffler, single 84mm tip). I'll let you klnow how it goes.

SK · 03-09-2003, 07:14 AM

I'm in the exact same boat as Don911. It did work with the stock muffler, but since then, I have built my own sprot muffler, so the flange offset became a non issue.

ckelly · 03-09-2003, 05:23 PM

Does anyone else make a pre-muffler? Can you buy the OE euro version that I've seen a couple of times? Does anyone have part numbers or anything?

03-09-2003, 06:30 PM

One more for the not fit. Mine slants down to the rear, which leaves my Muffler hanging way too low. I've tried cranking it up there and tightening the straps but I'm weary of putting too much torque on the exchangers. My problem is the exchanger to pre-muffler flange. Love the sound but hate the look. I'll be giving them a call tomorrow.

ckelly · 03-11-2003, 11:22 AM

Just an update....

Spoke to Joe at Fabspeed today, he is very concerned about the problem and is going to check his jig vs a stock cat as soon as he can. Needless to say, shipping and all my expeses were covered by him at his request.

Joe has seemed like a really good guy to deal with through the whole deal, I would recommend him for future purchases as he takes his products and their quality very seriously.

I'll post more when I have some more information.

Wavey · 03-11-2003, 11:47 AM

Thanks, CK. I'm going to take a day and try to get my system installed tomorrow. Let you know how it goes.

MotoSook · 03-11-2003, 03:23 PM

Please post the results of Joe's findings.

Wavey · 03-12-2003, 12:44 PM

Gave up and just installed the Dansk today, due to major hardware problems. Will try to install the Fabspeed over the weekend or early next week.