HPI Polished Pipe Install Problem

[Oscardms]

Hey guys. I have a stock 4.1 X. I recently purchased the polished pipe. When I took off the old pipe, I noticed there is a black plastic piece inside the coupler. Is that needed for the polished pipe? The reason I ask is because I took it out and noticed that the new pipe doesn't meet up with the header like in the instructions. All help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Fx]

No the plastic piece is only used for the plastic pipe. Mine actually crushed when I tried to remove it. I guess it was from the heat of the exhaust. Just slide the new pipe into the gasket and zip-tie it up.

 

[Oscardms]

but the pipe doesnt meet the header like in the instructions.

 

[Fx]

You have to push the pipe into the rubber gasket........

 

[Oscardms]

If I push it all the way in, then it won't reach the spring. Should I bend the spring?

 

[DOOBEEWHA]

It's one of those deals where the pipe and headder really don't meet as perfectly as they should. The better pipe/headder combos have a spring fastenning system that gets the pipe and headder to meet perfectly with no venturies created at the union point.(silicon coupler) At the same time though, bending the the spring is not a good idea. It's harddend stainless steel and is a b!*$ch to work with. The spring also probably won't bend to your liking. At least the point of where you want it to bend to. The hpi pipe is designed and reccommend to accomidate your 4.1 engine and work with the silicon coupler anyway. I would stick to that combo until you get a bigger motor that has a specific pipe requirement.

 

[Oscardms]

Awesome. Thanks. I ran it already and It was working great. I richened the tune a bit and worked from there. It was running great and then all of a sudden it wasn't moving. I plan on checking the clutch shoes tomorrow to see if they need to be replaced or if I just need to clean them.