I'm a below average home mechanic and I'm pretty good with tools and Ive been around cars all my life, but I'm struggling with this one.

I bought a dual exhaust for my car and I'm installing it myself. I don't have a lift or anything so I'm crawling under the car using a hydraulic jack lifting one side.

When I got the car it had a temporary y pipe and a short pipe off of that. Not a real exhaust and no muffler or cat. So I cut the old exhaust out tonight and I'm attempting to install the new exhaust.

Here's my challenge.

Where the pipe that attaches to the manifold and the next length of pipe attach is almost exactly in the center of the cross member that the pipe passes through.

I'm having a terrible time trying to connect the two pipes with a cross member right where they connect.

To make matters worse, the heat shield that I assume was around the cat, is in the way of the pipe so I can't make the pipe straight for a connection.

Do I remove the heat shield? It looks to be pressed somehow to the body because there are no bolts attaching it to the the underside.

There has to be a better way. I took it out completely and it connects where it's suppose to, but you can't thread it through the cross member because there are too many bends.

Any suggestions? I decided to get out of the garage and ask you guys before I get too frustrated.

Thanks in advance.

 

Not knowing what year you are doing this to...and any specifics.

I can say that if your car was a true dual exhaust system...and the bracket that is attached to the area on the transmission for the transmission mount...that bracket is made so you clamp the pipes to is along with sealing off the pipes.

So...with your joint of the pipe being inside your crossmember...you have problem and it should not be there ...it should be in front of the crossmemeber.

The same holds true if your exhaust system is a the front 'Y' pipe that gets supported by a similar exhaust hanger bracket that holds the exhaust on the passenger side of the car...due to the catalytic converter is further back.

The shield for the catalytic converter should not need to be removed to install the exhaust if the exhaust system is correct.

Not knowing if you are going with true dual exhaust ( with or without catalytic converters) but the car came with the front 'Y' pipe and so in...they can be installed but it does come back to who made the system.

DUB

 

The car is a '78 SA with a L-48 that had a y pipe into a cat.

The system I bought came off of a '77 with a L-82 true duals.

I believe it came from corvette central but not positive. It's a 2" stainless system.

Any suggestions on how to make this fit?

Maybe I can add a small pipe to let it pass through the cross member then cut the same length pipe out of the longer pipe.

This sounds like a nightmare.

 

Remove the Cat heat shield. When completed your exhaust should look like any other 1968-74 system.

 

Since the heat shield is pressed, I guess my only option is to cut it.

 

Please use jackstands, not just a hydraulic jack, when crawling under the car.

 

Look closer at the cat heat shield. It is held on with bolts. You have to reach over the frame and crossmembers to feel them. I am getting ready to install a set of Allen's dual chamber exhast on my 78 l82.

 

 

Good point, I did worry about getting crushed. Do you recommend one side at a time or lift the entire car and put jack stands under both sides?


I have a bunch of jack stands, I could raise the entire car enough to get underneath.

 

I'll take a look. I didn't see any bolt heads at all.


Thanks

 

I think when the pipes are pushed together properly, the seam will actually be slightly in front of the cross member on the engine side. It's getting them together that's the problem.


I'm going to give it another go tonight.

 

It is always safer to do one side at a time, but I've done all 4 corners on jackstands before and I think it is okay. I have plenty of stands so I always bring an extra one with me under the car and place it near me on some supporting structure so if something goes silly it buys me more time to move away. This could save your life.

 

Consider posting a picture of location with issues. Just so we can eyeball it for solutions.

When I need to spend a lot of time under my car I place it on 4 ramps. Disconnect the battery and hold the brakes down....AND Set the parking brake (pretty much useless but i do). I also try to keep a jack at one end or side (just in case).

 

That's a great suggestion. I can put one next to me at the cross member. I have probably 8-10 jack stands so I'll use them all over. I did feel vulnerable under there

 

I don't have ramps but that something I should consider investing in.

 

Take your hand and feel on the front side top of the crossmember there are two bolts up there and they can be removed with an open end wrench. I just did this last week on my 78. It's a bit of a pain, but only about 10 min worth of work when you get a wrench on them. Then there are two bolts at the rear that are easy to see. You will never get the exhaust to fit without getting this out. Also you will need one of these custom brackets from Allen's exhaust. http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette...acket-618957-1

 

I know about that bracket. I'll install it after I get the pipes dialed in since I don't have it now.

Thanks for the info on the shield. i'll get that out tonight.

Love this forum!

 

Oh and if you want the bracket quicker, Just call Allen's, very nice folks. Mid Am jerked me around for two weeks. Called Allen's and had it in a few days.

 

Knowing that the system came off of a 1977 and they are dual exhaust...are you still installing catalytic converters??? Because a 1977 had a catalytic converter.

If no catalytic's are being installed ...then I would take out the heat shield if it is in your way.

And if on your car ...the exhaust hanger bracket that is mounted by your transmission mount...it is more than likely made to hole the 'Y' pipe on the passenger side...and not able to hold the exhaust on the drivers side.

I have installed these to help out when I am converting an exhaust system and it can save time in trying to figure out mounts, brackets an holders that make the system look all unprofessional.






The brackets above depend on the transmission.

DUB

 

DUB I'm pretty sure his car is a 78 and I think he will need the one I posted above. Corvette America sent me one of the ones that you have shown and there is now way it was going to fit in my 78. Allen's worked great. I know you know your stuff, but I just did this last week.

OK Correction DUB correct as always, if he bought an exhaust from a car with a manual, use DUB's, if you bought an exhaust from an auto use mine. Although Allen's says the one I posted will work with both, I don't think that's true.