Exhaust System Repair/Overhaul

[kevin]

I spoke this afternoon to Chris Stepp of Aircraft Exhaust Technologies in Littlefork, MN. Chris is in the business of repairing and overhauling exhaust systems. Chris is considering adding 337 exhaust systems to the list of aircraft types. He would like to know:

1.) Do we think there is a need for another shop to do this? (I told him that to my knowledge, only the folks in Jumping Branch that got bought by Aerospace do our rear mufflers, and that they may no longer do them since being bought, but that I am not sure. If so, another source would be very welcome. Other comments?)

2.) If there is anyone out there who has a rear exhaust system that needs repair, and could stand a couple of weeks down time, he needs a sample to build some tooling for. He feels if he builds the correct tooling, he can get the repair costs down to a reasonable level. He will cut you "a good deal" if you can stand the down time.

3.) If anyone out there has an old rear exhaust core that they would like to sell, he would be interested in hearing from them. Contact him at:

Chris Stepp
Aircraft Exhaust Technologies, Inc.
www.aircraftexhaust.net
1-800-770-7287
gsm@citilink.net

I think another shop would be great, and I think he would do a good business. What do you think?

Kevin

[Dale Campbell]

I wish this message came up last year. I had a big hole in rear muffler and ended up paying $2000 for a new one. The A/P told me my old one was welded before and would not have it welded again. He threw the muffler away and I bought a new one. Nine months later I saw them new for $1500 in Wag-Aero magazine.
Thats always my luck, you could have had the core for free.
Dale Campbell

[SteveG]

The September, 2003 Wag-Aero catalog lists rear muffler overhauls at $795, new units at $1621.50. As to the need for another shop, well, another source and a little additional competition for the business can't hurt.