Hi folks. Need to pick your brains. I am just finishing up fixing an exhaust system for a friend of mine who needed something done cheaply. I installed a new flex pipe and clamped it very securely in place onto the stubs of the pipes left behind when I cut out the old one. I used a few adapters to get the pipe sizes right, but the thing is almost as noisy as when the old one was on there (it was rusted through). I am pretty much fed up working on my back in the rain with 6 inches of clearance between my chest and the bottom of the car, and money, or lack thereof, is the reason I was involved in the first place. I realize letting the pros do it is the ultimate solution, but I am puzzled as to why I didn"t get much sound reduction with the new flex pipe. I know the clamps do not seal like a weld, but would that make that much difference, or is the quality of the flex pipe suspect? I paid ~$40 for it. I will probably end up either getting everything welded up, or just cut it all off and get the pros to do it and eat the cost for my friend. Sometimes it"s just not worth the time and aggravation. She was quoted $1200 if the cat and oxygen sensor were not salvageable, which is not feasible on a $500 car that just needs to last till next spring.