Another update (or difference) we are finding concerns the Head & H-Pipes. Many Exhaust Companies are using the default bending specifications for their "original fitting" systems. While the pipes fit and route exhaust gases to the rear of the vehicle, they do not have the detailed bends that the Assembly Line versions exhibited. As I said in an earlier post, we are only using original pieces to format the correct measurements, rotation and bend degrees. We have found that some default units have 2 or 3 FEWER bends than they are suppose to have if you use the recommended machine bending specifications! The pipes may "fit" under the vehicle but are not correct in appearance. I'll post some side by side comparisons when we have everything complete.
Dave,
I just ran into this EXACT problem with my charger. Back around 2006 I had purchased an entire exhaust system from a certain company who specializes in Mopar exhaust that claimed to be bent right and accurate. Well, I just went to install the ECS B body mufflers that I had gotten to replace the muffler that had a rattle inside it (I might have between 3000-5000 miles on the car since I installed it.) Well, the factory OE repro muffler that is exact to the factory installed one I had an issue with. Apparently, the system that I had gotten from this Mopar specialized exhaust company does fit when you have their entire system. However, should one go to install or mix and match NOS components or OE exact repros, you will have major headaches trying to get the stuff to clear. I had about 4-5" gap between the driver side frame rail and the muffler was now hitting up against the drive shaft. The pass side muffler cleared the drive shaft, but barely!!!!! Again, there was this huge gap over towards the frame rail side and about maybe 1/4" clearance to the drive shaft. In order to reuse this "accurately bent" system, I had bend it myself in order to get the proper clearance for the driveshaft. I took comparison pictures of the two mufflers before I started the reassembly and unfortunately due to getting aggravated with the thing not fitting, I did not think to take pics of the major clearance issue. I can not wait till I get some more money saved up to get the complete factory front pipes and tail pipes as now my exhaust tip is slightly cocked to one side due to the tweaking I had to do to the front pipe. Accurately bent right? I think not!
Pics to come as soon as I get them downloaded!