What to do? Can't find expansion chamber... - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

rgoers · 01-22-2013, 01:01 PM

The old '00 ZL's expansion chamber is toast. Pin-holes all over (rusted through) and I cannot seem to be able to find a used one to save my life.

Anyone ever do a "mod" on something "close enough" (i.e. like another year 550 or 580 expansion chamber) to make it fit? That's about the only option left, other than parking or parting out the sled. The sled is in otherwise excellent condition... except for that rusted expansion chamber.

Josh Kidner · 01-22-2013, 01:22 PM

Have someone weld it up for you. Should last at least a year until you can find another one. Local shops around here would prob. Do it for 10-15 dollars. If done well enough sand and prime it ( be sure to use high heat primer!) so it cant rust any further.

**BC_Dan** · 01-22-2013, 01:48 PM

Take it to a good muffler shop. I had an old Enticer with a similar problem, the old pipe was ruined in a collision with a tree. I had two Enticers and took the pipes off of both of 'em and they built me a new pipe to the correct dimensions. Good welders are worth their weight in gold

**RJ Gleason** · 01-22-2013, 02:05 PM

You can use a pipe from a 580 on that 550 and it will run just fine.

ridegreen · 01-22-2013, 02:07 PM

Or look up Al's Snowmobile Parts Warehouse -Snowmobile Parts, Snowmobile ... Al's Snowmobile Parts Warehouse - Snowmobile Parts, Snowmobile Parts, and More Snowmobile Parts I'm sure they can help. Hate to see a perfectly good sled go to waist.

Koenig · 01-22-2013, 07:39 PM

I'm going to assume that you're talking about a 2000 zl550... If so, the part # (taken from Brown's leisure world) suggests these sleds for your part #
Part Number: 0712-337
Chamber, Expansion - Assembly

1999 PANTERA 580 EFI - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
1999 PANTHER 550 - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2000 ZL 580 EFI ESR - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2000 ZL 550 ESR - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2000 PANTHER 550 - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2000 PANTERA 580 EFI - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2001 ZL 550 - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2001 PANTHER 550 - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2001 PANTERA 580 EFI - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY

**kccats** · 01-23-2013, 08:04 AM

The 580 is the same pipe as the 550! Go threw all the salvag yards! I use Emerson Stall!info@usedsnowmobileparts.net

JD8345RT · 01-23-2013, 03:50 PM

580s are everywhere, that motor was used since the mid '90s. If the pipes were all the same, finding someone parting out a sled should be very easy, or you could check eBay.

rgoers · 01-23-2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koenig

I'm going to assume that you're talking about a 2000 zl550... If so, the part # (taken from Brown's leisure world) suggests these sleds for your part #
Part Number: 0712-337
Chamber, Expansion - Assembly

1999 PANTERA 580 EFI - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
1999 PANTHER 550 - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2000 ZL 580 EFI ESR - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2000 ZL 550 ESR - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2000 PANTHER 550 - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2000 PANTERA 580 EFI - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2001 ZL 550 - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2001 PANTHER 550 - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY
2001 PANTERA 580 EFI - EXHAUST ASSEMBLY

I used to buy from Brown's all the time when I lived in NY. I did pull the same list that you pulled. It's a short list, which I cannot seem to find any pipes for sale.

I have a friend who is a certified welder... he can work magic and he has the tools including a pipe bender. Will try to get a pipe from a 550 or 580 and have it modded...

Thanks to ALL for the help.

**kccats** · 01-24-2013, 07:07 AM

Try doing a search on Actic Chat and Hard core, they have a great classified section!

rgoers · 01-24-2013, 01:44 PM

I have literally tried everything... between my son in NY and me in UT. I spent a good year, even through the summer, watching eBay every day for a pipe. We haven't come up with *nothing* for lack of trying.

For some reason Cats in that year range had issues with rusty pipes. Maybe a bad supply of metal from China or something - I don't know, but the pipes just didn't last long. Might also have been the "sandwich" of insulation they put on them, which tended to hold water rather well. Whatever it was, there seems to be an endless suppy of early 90's 550 and 580 pipes in VERY GOOD shape, comparatively.

Rczr600rider · 01-24-2013, 06:31 PM

Have you tried Hudons in Barneveld NY? They have a huge inventory of used sled parts.

**kccats** · 01-24-2013, 06:56 PM

Well go to all the swap meets!

rgoers · 01-24-2013, 10:53 PM

My son checked Hudson's...

ridegreen · 01-25-2013, 12:11 AM

I seen They have them on eBay!! buy it from there rather then lookin over.

rgoers · 01-25-2013, 09:01 AM

Yes, eBay sells expansion chambers, but the bend for each part is different, and varies from year to year. Additionally, some had male flanges and others had female flanges on each end. So that makes for more issues if I just grab any old pipe. The pipe I'm looking for only made it on a handful of sleds, and the supply of used pipes for those seem to be all gone by now.

**RJ Gleason** · 01-25-2013, 01:18 PM

It's easy enough to change the flange ends.

rgoers · 01-25-2013, 07:03 PM

Yep... *IF* you can get one with the right bend.

**kccats** · 01-26-2013, 07:18 AM

Did you contact Emerson? Just ask for pipe for YOUR sled and they will tell you what is an exact interchange! And tell you what they have ! Or a Complete that would update yours, complete, Y Pipe and can!

ridegreen · 01-26-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgoers

Yes, eBay sells expansion chambers, but the bend for each part is different, and varies from year to year. Additionally, some had male flanges and others had female flanges on each end. So that makes for more issues if I just grab any old pipe. The pipe I'm looking for only made it on a handful of sleds, and the supply of used pipes for those seem to be all gone by now.

And if i put in your year and make and it gives me a whole list of pipes for sale then how are they any different from yours?? Is your like some kind of Limited Edition??? And for that matter the sellers have pictures of the product there selling so there for you wouldn't be just buying any ole pipe.