Just got the Ocelot exhaust. It came with hangers - but, I have no idea where they're supposed to bolt. The holes are quite large, and the old brackets had very small bolts holding them onto the frame.
Additionally, the old muffler had brackets holding it to the frame with springs - no brackets on the new muffler.
I installed a factory ('85-'88 GT) dual-exhaust in my '84. Although the following shot is of my '86 GT, this is also how and where I mounted the rear hangers on both sides of the '84. What you're looking at here is the driver's side rear wheel well with the plastic liner removed. That's the inside on the rear bumper on the right. I drilled a hole in the frame on each side of the car to mount the hangers, and they're clamped to the exhaust tips just where they split into two. I like installing this type of hanger in this location as it gives me the ability to adjust the height of each exhaust tip in relation to the cut-outs in the bumper. The mounting is very secure and the spring suspension on each side of the muffler is not missed. When the wheel well liners are replaced, the hangers are no longer even noticeable.
Patrick seems to have drilled holes for these to bolt into. Urf.
"Urf"? Is drilling one hole on each side an issue?
There might be existing holes that would be sufficient for the hangers, but I wanted precise tailpipe positioning (up/down & left/right) on both sides.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-22-2023).]
I didn't drill any holes to install mine. I used the holes that where there from the stock hangers. I did however purchase the Rodney Dickman stainless steel hangars. Depending on the year of your Fiero will determine what hangars you need. Exhaust Hangers
I didn't drill any holes to install mine. I used the holes that where there from the stock hangers. I did however purchase the Rodney Dickman stainless steel hangars. Depending on the year of your Fiero will determine what hangars you need. Exhaust Hangers
I didn't drill any holes to install mine. I used the holes that where there from the stock hangers. I did however purchase the Rodney Dickman stainless steel hangars. Depending on the year of your Fiero will determine what hangars you need. Exhaust Hangers
I'm trying to use the hangers that came with it. When I was at the Fiero Store talking to the fine folk there, they showed me a another set of hangers ( https://www.fierostore.com/...0%20%20LH&d=388&p=1) for an additional fee - but stated that they weren't necessary, the included hangers would work.
In the interests of saving the $40 on their word that I wouldn't need them, I passed.
Since they said these would work (their actual words were) "you'll see how they install when you get under there" I'd prefer to use them.
Now that I'm on an actual computer monitor, I can see much more detail from Patrick's photo. There are holes where the wheel well liner bolt in that might be used for that purpose - closer to the junction of the tailpipe and muffler.
But these hangers have a different end than the one Patrick has in his photo. Patrick's are curved and can clearly work with the design of the clamp. The ones that were included are flat. I'm concerned that if I tighten them down, that flat spot won't exert the clamping force needed, or worse, will break the pipe over time.
Now that I'm on an actual computer monitor, I can see much more detail from Patrick's photo. There are holes where the wheel well liner bolt in that might be used for that purpose - closer to the junction of the tailpipe and muffler.
Those holes in the cradle are probably where the factory exhaust hangers attached. I used much stronger hangers and located them elsewhere as I wanted more control over where the tailpipes were positioned within the exhaust cutouts in the rear bumper cover.
quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
There might be existing holes that would be sufficient for the hangers, but I wanted precise tailpipe positioning (up/down & left/right) on both sides.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-22-2023).]
I'm trying to use the hangers that came with it. When I was at the Fiero Store talking to the fine folk there, they showed me a another set of hangers 85-87 V6 Tail Pipe Hanger for an additional fee - but stated that they weren't necessary, the included hangers would work.
In the interests of saving the $40 on their word that I wouldn't need them, I passed.
Even those $20 apiece hangers look weak. Remember, you no longer have any springs supporting the weight of the exhaust system!*
Compare them to the skookum Walker hangers I posted above that cost me $4 apiece (at the time). At least double the strength! I'd be interested in seeing the build quality of the hangers that came with the Ocelot exhaust. Can you post a photo of them?
NOTE ON EXHAUST HANGERS: The original Fiero exhaust systems and the exhaust hanger(s) are held in place with several springs. With more and more non OEM exhaust systems being installed today, many do not have the brackets required to reattach the factory springs in the correct locations if at all. In addition to this, many aftermarket exhaust systems weight more than the OEM systems.
The exhaust hangers are not designed to hold the complete exhaust system up. If you do not have the factory springs installed you must provide additional support for the muffler and exhaust pipes or the rubber piece(s) will fail.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-22-2023).]
There are holes where the wheel well liner bolt in that might be used for that purpose
And, we're on the same page on those hanger add-ons - they won't break right away, but they will break. They're supplemental.
The hangers that were INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE look nearly identical to the ones you used - but the end is different. I'll see about posting a photo of them later.
One guy on Facebook took his to a muffler shop, where they cut off the brackets on the OEM muffler and welded them to the new muffler. Might do that, might just fab one out of sheet metal. I just don't understand why the new muffler -doesn't- have the brackets. Even the pipe that comes off the cat has a spring mount - they could have done something similar with the muffler and then it would essentially be plug and play.
this is my second foray into anything even remotely exhaust related, so before I do something I'll regret, I'll ask a ton of questions first, and then follow through.
I installed my ocelot system 5 years ago . what i did was salvage all the spring hangar brackets and welded them to my new system . I did this to allow flex to prevent cracks in the system. I also got rid of the clamps on the joints and welded them. It fits and looks good.
Google Image hopping gave me this photo of the brackets - and, some insight.
the brackets aren't as "flat" as I thought. To be fair, I was exhausted after a long day of work and couldn't see the forest because there were so many trees in the way.
Luckily, they're in my van (I'm at work ATM) so I popped out real quick to take a look. Yep - curved. The radius of the curve matches the bracket, but not the "U"
Since those are nothing like the factory hangers, you'll probably be drilling holes... unless you get lucky and can make use of existing holes somewhere.
