znod

EDIT: Read to the end of this thread for procedures for raising and centering after-market exhausts.

And, Undate = Update.

Hi All:

As mentioned on my earlier B&B related post, my exhaust tips were not good, and B&B scheduled an appointment for me to have them replaced--although, in general, they do very little in the way of installation. Upon arrival, Dennis Hannes, my very highly recommended sales representative, introduced me to Eric Johnson--who says he is the jack-of-all-trades in the shop. He has been with Billy or his father almost "forever." Among other things, Eric has served as chief mechanic on many of Billy's track ventures, including Indy. Eric took me on a tour of the shop--all 55,000 sq. ft. The B&B shop is unbelievable in regard to its "state-of-the-artness," orderliness, cleanliness, and fabrication comprehensiveness. And, everyone is just plain excellent in terms of their customer orientation. I was fortunate enough to meet Billy and talk to him briefly. He is a very nice and unassuming person.

Eric and I discussed the problems with my tips and my installation in general. I asked him if the tips should, in the B&B opinion, stick out so far. He indicated no and said he would see what up's. To make a long story short, the installation was far from OK. My BMW dealer had cut off too much pipe and then apparently, to compensate, had butted the new and old pipes together (rather than inserting the factory pipe in the B&B pipe). While sounding slightly contradictory, the result was that my tips stuck out too far. To ensure that I could re-install my factory exhaust with no trouble, Eric added a piece to the B&B exhaust thus correcting all the problems with the installation. After fixing, polishing the heck out of everything and reinstallation, I was on my way. My installation now is as perfect as an extremely highly skilled and perfectionist individual (Eric) could make it.

I will try to post exhaust-hot and exhaust-cold pics in the near future (apparently B&B exhausts don't grow much when hot). For now, note that if the exhaust is cool, then B&B likes the right side of the right tip to be pretty much flush with the bumper material. Given this alignment the bumper and tips, together, form an appealing approximate arc.

In a nutshell, I recommend B&B extremely highly. My opinion is that B&B will go way out of its way to make things right if something goes wrong. All you have to do is to give them the chance.

Best to all,

donv

Centurion

It also helps that you live near them.

I doubt they would go out of there way anywhere else.

Could you please post some pictures of your exhaust?

I would like to see, in particular, how close the tips hang from the rear valance. Most of us here in the forums think the B&B tips hang too low, thus, several alternative measures have been suggested.

I'm assuming your set-up is the "definitive" B&B application since they had their very own technician do the work.

znod

"It also helps that you live near them. "

Yes, it makes things easier at least. Eric told me some interesting tales about how far they have gone for customers that did not live near. But, all I really know is my experience. I trusted what Eric told me though.

"I doubt they would go out of there way anywhere else."

See above.

"Could you please post some pictures of your exhaust?"

Yes, actually I was trying to find our camera. I think my wife has it with her. I'll take pics and put them on my computer ASAP. It probably will take me a while to figure out how to post them in the fora. I probably will have to work with the resolution too.

"I would like to see, in particular, how close the tips hang from the rear valance. Most of us here in the forums think the B&B tips hang too low, thus, several alternative measures have been suggested."

I though they were too low when they extended too far. Now, I like them, although they are pretty much as low as they were--just not extended so far. Eric and I discussed their lowness, and I agreed that he should install them the way he thought best. I am very satisfied. But, I don't think it would be hard for an individual or shop to hang them a bit higher--being sure that the tubing doen't get too close to the paint on the sides (or top, of couse).

"I'm assuming your set-up is the 'definitive' B&B application since they had their very own technician do the work."

That's what I think. The installation would be pretty much impossible to fault unless one has a preference for hanging higher. The workmanship is perfect. It is important to keep in mind that exhaust fabrication is not exactly an exact science. Among other things, car-to-car differences in the "same" car are a problem.

znod

Here are the photos. In some of them, I tried to emphasize the "lowness." But, I don't think those emphasizing lowness show the installation in its best light. That is, from normal viewing positions, I don't notice the apparent lowness. But, whatever. If anyone wants, I take some photos on the street from typical viewing positions. I was in a hurry today.

Centurion

Actually, these photos are adequate to see what the B&B tech did.

I especially like the last photo that shows a top-down view of the tips. I like how he mounted them flush with the valance. My left tip extends beyond the valance about 2cm, if I remember correctly.

The way B&B did the vertical distance is still lower than what I would like. Thank goodness it's an easy fix.

The car looks great donv. Thank you again for sharing your experience and the photos. I'll bet you felt like a kid at Disneyland at the B&B factory.

znod

"Actually, these photos are adequate to see what the B&B tech did."

Good.

"I especially like the last photo that shows a top-down view of the tips. I like how he mounted them flush with the valance. My left tip extends beyond the valance about 2cm, if I remember correctly."

Yes, I think the top down photo really shows how B&B likes for them to look horizontally. I agree with them.

"The way B&B did the vertical distance is still lower than what I would like. Thank goodness it's an easy fix."

I think that it looks a bit low too especially given the low vantage points I used. As mentioned, it looks fine from normal viewing positions. But, I would be interested in knowing the fix. I have not looked under the car. But, from my dead-on photo, it looks like something might be inserted between the B&B "prong" and the BMW hanger. But, hey, you know the fix. Please let me know what it is. I might give it a shot if it is easy.

"The car looks great donv. Thank you again for sharing your experience and the photos. I'll bet you felt like a kid at Disneyland at the B&B factory."

Thanks for the encouragement. And, you are very welcome. Kid at Disneyland, yes. I did not mention that Billy has a display of all his trophies, memorabilia, photos, etc. Among other things, the Indy-winning car is mounted high on a slanted wall platform for viewing as one enters. I also saw B&B's race-car room--where the car 13 year-old Chad Boat currently is racing is housed. Apparently, he is doing incredibly well--being groomed to be the best. He has a website--chadboat.com, I think. I am going to check it out soon.

Best,

donv

Centurion

In your third picture, you can see the black rubber hanger used to join the muffler with your car. The muffler is literally "hanging" because of this rubber piece.
The OEM rubber hanger is too large. Simply look for smaller ones at the local auto-store. They might be labled as 'O'-rings or muffler hangers. Either way they need to be quite sturdy and have the holes in them to insert the prongs (one under your car and the one on the B&B muffler. If the hangers you find are too small, use two or three of them to suspend the muffler.

The rubber hangers I got put the car's prong and the muffler prong about 2.5 - 3cm away from each other when installed.

Let me know if you're still unsure or have questions.

znod

Thanks Centurion. I have the idea. It's pretty much what I thought except I didn't know about looking for alternative rubber hangers. Great, I'll probably give it a try in the near future. Who knows?--tomorrow maybe if our new mattress gets delivered in time for me to get out.

Centurion

Cool. No problem.
One last piece of advice to make the job even easier...use WD-40 on the OEM hanger to slide it out and spray some on your newer (smaller) hanger to slide it in. (Geez, that sounded kinda like a script in a porn film)

znod

Thanks again. I'll post back if, and when, I get around to trying the fix--maybe for more advice since I haven't actually looked under the car.