Copper donuts

[Miata Mike]

Has anyone had one of the copper donuts fail? Do they clamp right up the same as the OEM ones? A can get OEM for $11.96 each, shipped with the rest of my order verses $18 each plush shipping.

My stock donuts lasted 5000 miles before changed and replacements have maybe 500 miles on them right now as I have a ruined left Y pipe. Grrrrr!

Any value in a used right Y pipe made out of titanium? Any scrap value?

 

[Capt.Storm]

So you're saying you did new donuts and then 500 miles later a y pipe failed?
I was under the impression that the y pipes don't fail unless the donuts are shot.

I used copper and new ss y pipes and all is fine after another 1000 miles.

Oh and mine were Chinese donuts ..fairly cheap

 

[Miata Mike]

My mechanic replaced with OEM donuts not much more than 500 miles ago. Now the left Y pipe failed and the OEM stock donuts look like they could be reused again!

I decided to learn how to change them myself. That clamp was tight. No obvious looking reason for that part of pipe to fail. (2nd from left).

 

[Capt.Storm]

I did mine and it was a learning experience..lol..next time won't take half as long.
Those allen head bolts rounded off on mine..I took all the rivets out and used a sawzall to cut crap up to get it all out..what a mess.
I never thought at the time just to weld nuts to them..dang..read it on here to do that after my mess.

You would think the motor would rock some on the mounts..so that said you might think that things could move or should move at those donuts?
Motor side anyways...I dunno.

 

[thor452]

titanium pipes are crap replace with stainless and check every season for loose connections and mount points the exhaust should be tight everywhere it has flex pipes for the motor movement and other movement will cause breaks next point of breakage will be the two into one at the back.

 

[Capt.Storm]

Those flex pipes don't look like they would flex much...just sayin'.

 

[thor452]

Those flex pipes don't look like they would flex much...just sayin'.

noone has acused it of being a perfect set up but if the rest of the exhaust moves it will break would rather just replace donuts as needed then the more expensive other componets. if you inspect the exhaust every year and keep it tight and replace donuts as needed it will lower you out of pocket expense. every exhaust I have worked on that had broken componets was loose some where may not be true for everyone just my expierence with the 5 apexes i now maintain.