C9x---I can't fault your reasoning, but it kind of gets into a "what came first, the chicken or the egg?" scenario. That peice of exhaust pipe is already massaged to the max, and a custom u-bend wouldn't help any. I spoke to some steering "experts" this morning, and they recomend against using the "extended steering box shaft method" unless I remove the steering box, disassemble it, take it to a machine shop, have a new peice welded to the input shaft, have it magnafluxed,, and have it resplined. ----methinks that would cost a zillion dollars. To buy an adapter/coupler and 2 intermediate shafts costs only $35 less than buying one new universal joint, a 36" length of shafting splined both ends, and a support bearing .