HOT exhaust?
 

I installed the axle back portion today and the only reason I noticed how hot it got after a drive is because I get anal and paranoid after installs. Anyway, after a drive I get out and inspect the rubber gaskets and bolts to make sure it's all holding fine. I notice basically some steam coming off where the two pipes connect... and I wondered if it normally did that. I touched it and basically almost burned my freakin fingers off. Is that intense heat normal for exhausts? I've never dealt with them so I didn't know either way. Thanks for the help. :)

Ever touch your stock exhaust after running it? Exhausts will always be hot to the touch- stock or aftermarlet. Don't worry about it.

remember that the exhaust gases that are coming through that are the result of an explosion of gas and oxygen. it's gonna get pretty hot. have you ever run your car then spit on your header? let's just say that there is not much spit left once it touches the metal.

Yeah I figured it always got that hot, I'd just never been right there paying so close attention to it.

How about the silencer... Does having that on hamper the HP performance? I tried to get it off yesterday but I think a small portion of the tip is bent inward. Any suggestions as to how to bend it back out to get it more circular so that I can get the silencer off?