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Simplified Lunchbox Removal Instructions

99K views 149 replies 77 participants last post by  Mitchellvail 
#1 ·
Simplified Lunchbox Delete (2008 Focus Sedan)

The “Lunchbox” in this case is the resonator at the end of the exhaust system closest to the exhaust tip.

Here's a good link to "How the Exhaust Works", including the resonator.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/muffler.htm

I would like to credit the original thread that I received this idea from written by Jamussport of FF. That thread can be found here:

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161083

My instructions retain the original exhaust tip (thank you Derek Zoolander of FF for this revision), if you would like to replace your existing exhaust tip while you make this modification refer to the thread above.

Removing the rear resonator will give your exhaust a new, louder tone. Don’t expect NASCAR sound out of this, we’re talking about a Focus here after all.

Here’s a sound clip of mine after removing the resonator. However, I do have a Steeda SRI installed which by itself already adds to the sound from the stock exhaust. I tried to get a sound clip while driving, but with my recorder the wind and road noise washed out the exhaust on the recording no matter where I placed the microphone. And, I swear, I wasted a ¼ tank of gas trying to get that recording!

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/...us SE/?action=view&current=LunchboxDelete.flv

Cost:
Approximately $17 plus tax

Time to Complete:
45 minutes to 1 hour

This time will vary greatly depending on what tools you have available to cut the exhaust with. See “Tools Required” below.

Material Required:

18” (51mm) of Flexible Exhaust Pipe - 2” inside diameter
$5.99 AutoZone part #17033 – "Flexible Exhaust Repair Kit" is an 18” piece of 2” I.D. flex pipe which includes (1) 2” Exhaust Clamp.

(1) 2” Exhaust Clamp
$2.49 AutoZone part #17124

(1) Exhaust Joint and Crack Seal
$2.99 AutoZone part #00160 (or exhaust seal/cement or your choice)

(1) spray can of Hi-Temp Paint
$5.49 AutoZone part #DE1634 Low Gloss Black Engine Enamel (use any hi-temp paint/color you want)

Tools Required:

Reciprocating Saw with metal cutting blade / hacksaw can be used (see note below)

3/8” and/or 1/2" socket or box end wrench (to fit exhaust clamp nuts)

Sandpaper (pick a grit between 120 or lower, you’re just scuffing the pipe a little with it)

Manual or Hydraulic jack

Jack stand(s)

Wheel blocks

Note: A reciprocating saw (Sawzall) makes this job a snap. If you do not own one, buy one or borrow one from a neighbor. This job can be done with a hacksaw however Jamussport (see link above) required 2 ½ hours just to remove the resonator using a hacksaw. Now that man was determined!

HarborFreight.com has a reciprocating saw available for $39.99, not the highest quality tools you can find but perfectly acceptable for occasional jobs.

Instructions:

Locate vehicle on a solid level surface

Make sure it’s in PARK or 1st gear

Make sure the PARKING BRAKE is set and set good

Block front wheels

Now go back and make sure it’s in PARK or 1st and the PARKING BRAKE is set.

SAFETY FIRST: Allows use jacks stands when you are working under a vehicle. Please DO NOT skimp on this, many a weekend warrior has died when the car slipped off the jack.

Raise left rear to provide access to resonator (position jack correctly on vehicle to avoid damage)

Set Jack Stand(s) in place

Note: Service ramps are a great time saver and I believe them to be much safer than using an individual manual or hydraulic jack. For $39.99 you can purchase a pair of 8000lb Rhino ramps at AutoZone. SAFETY FIRST: Use Jack stands even with service ramps, look under my exhaust tip, you can see one there and there is another one on the other side out of view.




Remove Resonator

The resonator is the lunchbox looking thing welded to your exhaust tip (sorry no picture of it in place, but see removed resonator picture below).

Remove it!

Here’s a picture of mine after it was removed. The cuts I made worked out great for installing the flex pipe. You can adjust these cuts to suite your preference. Just remember “measure twice, cut once”.





Install Flex Pipe

Clean the outside of existing pipe where the flex pipe will overlap it, about 2 inches should do. Also scuff this area with sandpaper to allow for better adhesion of exhaust seal.

I wore rubber gloves for the next part, do not get this stuff all over your hands. It is labeled "WARNING! Eye, skin and respiratory irritant".

Apply a liberal amount of exhaust seal to the outside of existing pipe (the area you just cleaned) and to the inside of the flex pipe before you slip the flex pipe on.

Slide flex pipe on, bending to position tip correctly. (fine tuning of tip position done later)

Now apply a liberal amount of exhaust seal over the end of the flex pipe and existing pipe; fill any gaps between the two. Use enough seal so you don’t even see the joint, basically blend the flex pipe into the existing pipe with the exhaust seal.

Install exhaust clamps (one on each end) and tighten. Position the ends of the clamp up toward the bottom of vehicle so you don’t see them sticking down when viewing the vehicle from the rear.

Check the exhaust seal after tightening clamps, add more if required.

Take a look at your exhaust tip (from behind the car), is it straight and centered? Adjust flex pipe until it is.

Except for painting you are done and you want to wait until after the exhaust seal is dry enough before you paint it. You could of course paint the flex pipe prior to installation, but I was not that smart. [duh] If you do paint prior to installing it you will still need to touch it up as areas that were not exposed on the flex pipe when you painted it will be now.

You can leave the car in position and wait, or carefully lower the vehicle and drive it. The heat from the exhaust will help set the exhaust seal. I painted mine after driving for about 10 minutes.

Yes, you do want to paint the flex pipe. Flex pipe is notorious for rusting quickly; the paint will help delay that process (a little). If this is a permanent addition you might do well by finding an exhaust shop that will bend and weld an actual piece of exhaust pipe in place at a reasonable price.

Also, if you move the flex pipe (or it moves on its own) after it’s painted it will expose unpainted areas. Watch for those and hit them with a spray of paint.

Below are pictures of my completed installation (including paint over spray on heat shield, oh well).







You better appreciate the shine on the tip. Took some time with bug and tar remover and steel wool followed by a waxing to get it looking good again all just for that picture.

Well that’s it; I hope you find these instructions helpful. If I can clarify, correct or just answer a question please don’t hesitate to PM me.
 
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#3 ·
Certainly nice of you to share your opinion. Ya'll jus dun no, spos'n sum folk like that 'ole ******* luk. Like anyone is going to see it.

Must be nice to work somewhere you can get it done for $25 bucks. My local shop wanted $125 plus tax. Kiss my [bootyshak on that price.

Mine is temp until I find the full catback I want. I did suggest that those leaving this on permanently check their local shop for a real pipe welded in at a decent price.

Maybe if you could read, instead of just looking at the pictures like your magazines, you'd have noticed that.
 
#4 ·
Lol...burned...anyway I was asking how to do this and low and behold Brad comes through again! I asked my local shop and the cheapest was $85 so yeah...screw that! I think I might just go do this today or tomorrow pending how much time I have.
 
#6 ·
yeah i did the exact same thing you did about a week ago though only cost me 8.88 at advance lol company accounts gotta love em
 
#20 ·
Thank you and thanks for the rep points. That is a great compliment coming from someone that's been on FF for so long.
 
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#9 ·
just for the record... if you offer cash a shop may do it for as cheap as $30... i did so and i got the response "government doesnt need to know." basically it was a 30 dollar tip when i had it done
 
#11 ·
It's only a resonator, not a catalytic converter, why would the government care?
 
#12 ·
I think he meant something along the line of saying the shop did the job under the table, and the mechanic said the government doesn't need to know referring to taxes.
 
#18 ·
Yep, just a nice new tone (deeper) from my exhaust. However the placebo effect is great, you'll think your faster. [:D] [burnout]
 
#23 ·
Great point, wasn't aware of that. Even more reason to find a shop that will get a real piece of pipe on there for a reasonable price. Next time I crawl under there I'm going to pay real close attention and see if there's any way to cut off the lunch-box so that it leaves a straight shot to the tip. Then we wouldn't have to worry about having some shop bend a piece of pipe and charge a small fortune to install a whole 18" of pipe.
 
#27 ·
In Missouri anyway, a flex pipe in the exhaust won't pass the State Safety Inspection......unless you know the inspector and can get him to over-look the thing. You need an inspection every two years at least.
 
#28 · (Edited)
In Washington (state) we have emissions testing every two years. But, they don't inspect the exhaust system. In fact, on newer vehicles, they don't even "test" the actual emissions at the tail pipe anymore. They just hook up to the on-board computer and if everything reports OK they pass you.

I'll try to make this short - the last time my van (now sold) needed an "emission" inspection, the on-board computer was reporting both banks running lean. They failed it. I drove to my mechanic, he reset the codes, I drove straight back to the test center, and now even though they couldn't read those same codes that failed me 30 minutes earlier (because they had just been re-set), they PASSED it. I'm not kidding - and this is what we're paying for.
 
#29 ·
In this state (Missouri) you need two inspections. The emission inspection is done only on cars newer than '95 using a scan tool only.

The safety inspection is done on every car.....at least every two years. This is where the flex exhaust pipe will fail. (if the guy notices it).
 
#30 ·
Well, I mentioned this was temporary until I found a cat-back for my 08'. Somewhere in the middle of all that flooding out there is a UPS truck with my new exhaust on it. That package better be on the upper shelf! It's a Trubendz 2 1/2 inch stainless steel (SS) exhaust, with a SS Magnaflow straight through muffler, and a new hi-flow cat to boot.

I've already received two notices of delivery date changes due to the flooding.

If you guys down there see a UPS truck stuck in the water, be safe, but help him out will you.

Seriously, to any FF member affected by all that water, my wife and I wish you nothing but a safe and fast recovery (and dry feet).
 
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