Is this Cat Pipe Exhaust Dent Normal?

shouldveGotDiesel · December 5, 2020

Was under my truck looking at my exhaust to see how easy/hard it would be to install a cat-back by myself in the driveway with all the appropriate tools and I noticed the cross pipe that holds the cats has a big ole dent in it. Truck is pretty much brand new. Hasnt even had first service. I haven't hit anything and there's no scratches on it. This dent looks restrictive to airflow since the pipe is already squished narrow there to pass under truck

Is this a factory dent? Does anyone else have this dent?

Z45 · December 5, 2020

Yes, is a design feature. I recall reading a bulletin about that. The TSB pic shows exactly the same as yours.

Quote

A quick look at the exhaust pipe crossover section on 2019-2020 Silverado and Sierra models equipped with a V6 or V8 engine shows that it is not a completely round shape as other parts of the pipe. (Fig. 27) The unique shape of the exhaust pipe is by design. The kinks or shape of the pipe does not indicate the pipe is damaged.

The exhaust pipe is distinctly formed in order to make it higher from the ground than the adjacent frame members. (Fig. 28) Due to its unique shape, it is not the lowest part on the vehicle and is protected by the frame from contact while traversing over areas with low ground clearance, which helps prevent it from being struck by objects passing under the vehicle. While driving off road, for example, an object would strike the frame first.

The design of the crossover section of the exhaust pipe is hydroformed, or shaped by hydraulic pressure, to an ovate shape that has the same cross-section as a round part of the pipe.

There is no flow restriction from the shape and it does not affect engine performance in any way. (Fig. 29)

Edited December 5, 2020 by elcamino