Removing stock mufflers
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Croton NY
Removing stock mufflers
I'm about to install a set of muffler eliminators next week. :D So I checked the muffler clamps to see how long it would take to remove
them, I've heard 2-4 hrs. I got out my wrench to see how tight the bolts were and I found out that I can't budge any of them.:mad I have
an 1985 corvette so they are fifteen yrs old. How can I get them unbolted? :confused: Do I have to take them to Midas!?! :eek:
Please Help!
[Modified by Nyvette, 2:06 AM 10/30/2001]
them, I've heard 2-4 hrs. I got out my wrench to see how tight the bolts were and I found out that I can't budge any of them.:mad I have
an 1985 corvette so they are fifteen yrs old. How can I get them unbolted? :confused: Do I have to take them to Midas!?! :eek:
Please Help!
[Modified by Nyvette, 2:06 AM 10/30/2001]
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Re: Removing stock mufflers (Nyvette)
Soak them in penetrating oil for several days. Keep spraying it on 2-3 times per day. There is no such thing as too much. I did this on my 84. After two days I was able to break the nuts loose.
:seeya
:seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: San Jose CA
Re: Removing stock mufflers (Nyvette)
Not to rain on the parade, but even if you get the bolts loose, you may have a very tough time getting the mufflers off the exhaust pipe. I could not get them off so I pulled my Y pipe and tried to get the mufflers off that way because it appeared to be easier... not so. I ended up mangling both the pipe and the muffler. I finally gave and bought a new Y pipe.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Denville NJ
Re: Removing stock mufflers (Nyvette)
Once I removed the clamps, I used a Dremel rotary tool with a metal cutting bit to remove the mufflers. If you use this method, be careful not to apply too much pressure. You want to grind a slit about three inches long from the end of the muffler pipe towards the muffler. This will release the muffler from the "Y" pipe. You don't want to cut through both pipes, only the muffler pipe. I would imagine that the clamps could be cut off as well if the soaking method doesn't work. I hope this helps.
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Chelmsford, MA USA
Re: Removing stock mufflers (Nyvette)
Steve is right...just removing the clamps WILL NOT allow you to remove the mufflers. I guarantee that the rust has welded them on the end of the rear Y pipe. I have just replaced my enitire exhaust system on my '87 from the manifold all the way back to the tips myself. I just installed MAD's red tipped ZR-1 style targa mufflers and I'm happy with them. But I went the new rear Y route rather than wrestling with the old Y. The suggestion to delicately cut through the muffler end and try peeling back or releasing pressure may work if you are patient. Otherwise if you insist on keeping your old Y, it may be less aggrevation to just go to a muffler shop and let them cut you old mufflers off and weld the new elims.
on. Take it from a guy whose hands and back are just starting to heal from messing around with this stuff.
The targa's sound pretty darn good:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/bob_hovey/targa.mov
Here is how they look:
Bob '87
[Modified by Bob Hovey, 1:56 PM 10/31/2001]
[Modified by Bob Hovey, 1:58 PM 10/31/2001]
on. Take it from a guy whose hands and back are just starting to heal from messing around with this stuff.
The targa's sound pretty darn good:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/bob_hovey/targa.mov
Here is how they look:
Bob '87
[Modified by Bob Hovey, 1:56 PM 10/31/2001]
[Modified by Bob Hovey, 1:58 PM 10/31/2001]
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Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Life's tough, wear a helmet.
Re: Removing stock mufflers (Nyvette)
Don't bother. Get yourself another rear Y-pipe for the eliminators. Then just remove everything from behind the cat in 1 piece. This is how I do it and I can swap out the mufflers for the elims in 20 minutes, counting the time it takes to get the car on and off the ramps.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 402
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From: Beaverton OR
Re: Removing stock mufflers (Scott 89)
you know it still blows my mind my company is one of the only who makes a rear muffler replacement set with a 4" longer tube than stock so you can just take the sawzall to the old pipe where it was slip jointed, sand the y pipe slightly & slip on your new mufflers. anyone else think it's odd out of all the exhaust companies i'm the only guy i knew of who thought of this??? :confused:
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Croton NY
Re: Removing stock mufflers (importeater)
Thanks for all of the help guys, unfortunately the rear y-pipe ain't letting go of the mufflers, so the mufflers will be cut off.
Also thanks to Bob Hovey, that movie of the targa's has caused me to switch from eliminators to the targas.
[Modified by Nyvette, 1:03 AM 11/2/2001]
Also thanks to Bob Hovey, that movie of the targa's has caused me to switch from eliminators to the targas.
[Modified by Nyvette, 1:03 AM 11/2/2001]
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
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From: North Shore,Hi
Re: Removing stock mufflers (Nyvette)
I guess soaking your NUTS didn't help. :lol: Seriously go to a shop and have them cut off. have them weld on some new pipe and nice stainless tips. you will glad you did.
[Modified by gottaspeed, 12:47 AM 11/2/2001]
[Modified by gottaspeed, 12:47 AM 11/2/2001]
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Tampa FL
Re: Removing stock mufflers (Nyvette)
I am really surprised that no one here has mentioned the right way to remove slip joint exhaust. You heat the joint all the way around with a torch until you can wiggle it right off. It takes all of about a minute. Of course if you're throwing the leftovers away anyway, cutting is fine, but I'd say the torch method is easier than trying to cut the muffler pipe off the y-pipe anyway. A handheld propane torch works, but obviously an acetylene setup is better if you've got one.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 7
From: Sumner WA
Re: Removing stock mufflers (Nyvette)
I had the same exact problem a few months ago and was about a second from taking it to a pro. I got the bolts off by using a breaker bar with a deep socket for an impact wrench then I couldn't get the mufflers off the pipe. Since I'm a novice mechanic and don't know any better I decided to try using a chisel to basically peel the mufflers off the exhaust pipe. I was very concerned about wrecking the exhaust pipe but I decided to try it anyway. I actually used a wood chisel which I completely trashed, but after bashing it for a few hours I finally had the mufflers off and some seriously aching arms. The exhaust pipes came through in pretty good shape and getting the new mufflers on was a piece of cake. I wish I knew somebody smart before I started. I probably could have saved myself a bunch of aggrivation!
