Extended (by 2") exhaust tailpipes?

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 5:15 pm

Anybody using the stainless 170 tailpipes you can get
from Wag Aero? They're 2" longer than stock, yet
they are FAA/PMA approved. I found some cracks in
one of my tailpipes so I decided to spring for a new pair
and went with these longer pipes. I guess I'm wondering
if the longer length has any disadvantages (like putting
more aerodynamic load on the exhaust support structure,
etc.). The positive things are they look nice (I polished
them up) and supposedly, they cut down on cowling
exhaust stains.

Bela P. Havasreti
'54 C-170B N170BP

zero.one.victor · Post by **zero.one.victor** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 4:00 am

Bela,they're not so long they give your airplane that "fang" look,are they? I've seen a lot of early 172's with fangs,luckily not so many 170's.

Eric

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:54 am

Well, they're 2" longer than stock, and by my recollection, the
"stock" tailpipes used to stick out of the cowling about an an inch
and a half or so. To be honest, these longer pipes just look a little
long/wrong to me.... (does look a little fangy) I might take a wheel
cutter to them and knock an inch or so off.

Also, my old pipes were mounted backwards (according to the
wisdom on this list) so I put these on the "right" way. That makes
these pipes look a little different/funny to me now too!

Bela P. Havasreti
'54 C-170B N170BP

David Laseter · Post by **David Laseter** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 4:47 pm

Walrus Tusk, that's what we call our's. And now that the right one is bent back it really gives it that Classic Walrus look. Go down to NAPA and get the 7" chrome muffler extensions for $5. They're a real girl magnet.

Post by **GAHorn** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 7:12 pm

The 2" longer exhaust pipes Wag Aero sells for 170's (PN: E-420-000) are not legal without some additional form of approval. They are sold as "Code 2"---for experimental aircraft only. The only problem I'm aware of with longer exhaust tailpipes is their greater vibration momentum might contribute to other exhaust system component cracking.

rudymantel · Post by **rudymantel** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 12:10 am

The slightly longer exhaust stacks do reduce the exhaust stains on the cowling.
Rudy

zero.one.victor · Post by **zero.one.victor** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 1:32 am

gahorn wrote:The 2" longer exhaust pipes Wag Aero sells for 170's (PN: E-420-000) are not legal without some additional form of approval. They are sold as "Code 2"---for experimental aircraft only. The only problem I'm aware of with longer exhaust tailpipes is their greater vibration momentum might contribute to other exhaust system component cracking.

I just checked my new WagAero catalog. The fang tailpipes are listed as "code 4". In the back of the catalog, "code 4" is defined as "These items are FAA/PMA'd,TSO's,and/or STC'd or are produced under a TC;or are overhauls by an FAA Certified repair Facility. The holder of the approval may either be The WagAero Group or an outside vendor."
Sounds like at the most a 337 should be done,or at the least a logbook entry. Or just bolt 'em on & go!

Eric

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 7:10 am

For what it's worth, the Wag Aero pipes in question came
with big FAA/PMA stickers on them (they were kind of a bear
to remove them), and I also noted (before I ordered them)
that they were Code 4 in the Wag Aero catalog.

Bela P. Havasreti
'54 C-170B N170BP

lowNslow · Post by **lowNslow** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 6:21 pm

I think the PMA/FAA is a recent change. I bought some several years ago and they was no approval of any kind. I think this changed within the last several months, I just noticed it on this latest Wag-Aero catalog.

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 3:37 pm

I listed the PN for solid identification. Have they changed the PN? Or have they finally rec'd approval for the old PN. ?

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 4:56 pm

That's the right/same part number (E-420-000). They
are FAA/PMA'd.

Bela P. Havasreti
'54 C-170B N170BP

N170CT · Post by **N170CT** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 4:18 pm

On the same subject of "fangs". The fangs on my 170B tend to beat the crap out of the openings of the cowling. Tried tightening the bolts around the fangs to reduce the vibration to no avail.
Anybody else had this problem and has a possible solution???
If I can't solve it soon, I plan to go the Bartone route.

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 4:53 pm

I'm thinking if the exhaust pipes are moving around enough
to damage the cowling openings, something is wrong/loose
somewhere.... What condition are the motor mount and/or
firewall attach bushings in?

Do you have the exhaust brace installed (can't put my hands
on the part number right now). It bolts to the carb base and
to each exhaust pipe via clamps.

Also, I had to experiment with various bolt lenghts & different
numbers/placements of washers on the exhaust pipe clamps
to make sure they tightened down the whole works properly.

Since I'm "writing", I might as well pass along that so far,
the extended pipes seem to do no harm to the exhaust system
(more time will tell of course). They do keep the exhaust stains
off of the bottom of the cowling as advertised.

Bela P. Havasreti
'54 C-170B N170BP

N170CT · Post by **N170CT** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 3:42 am

Thanks Bela. Yes, my engine has the brace that runs across the carb to both exhaust pipes. I, too, have been experimenting with bolts/washers, shims, etc., but nothing seems to work. Both fangs are loose such that I can easily move them as much as 0.5 inches forward and aft (at the ends)and that appears to be what is eating away the cowling. So far, I have made a little progress in tightening the fangs by adding a shim and reducing the movement, but have been unable to stop all the movement. I'm still working the problem, but am increasingly frustrated. Regards....

N170BP · Post by **N170BP** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 6:23 pm

You might try hack-sawing small slits (2 or 4 should do it)
vertically at the top of the exhaust pipes (where the swaged
ends fit over the outlet of the mufflers). Saw the slits perhaps
.75 - 1 inches long.

This will allow the upper clamps to tightly squeeze the exhaust
pipe against the outlet of the muffler. With the upper clamps
tightened, there should be little to no movement of the exhaust
pipes even with the lower brace disconnected.

Bela P. Havasreti
'54 C-170B N170BP