Swapping Exhausts [HELP]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Swapping Exhausts [HELP]
Can an OEM exhaust be taken off using just Rhino ramps? The OEM exhaust is a one piece system, with the flange just ahead of the rear axle then the over-the-axle-hoop.
Just doesn't look like there would be enough room to do all that twisting and bending around as opposed to having a lift with more room to twist and turn, especially downward.
Time of the essence to get the stock OEM off and the B&B system on. The B&B is much easier, because there is a clamp on the back side that can be taken off so it comes out as two pieces - the over the hoop pipe then connect to the muffler via the clamps.
Any help ideas on this?
Just doesn't look like there would be enough room to do all that twisting and bending around as opposed to having a lift with more room to twist and turn, especially downward.
Time of the essence to get the stock OEM off and the B&B system on. The B&B is much easier, because there is a clamp on the back side that can be taken off so it comes out as two pieces - the over the hoop pipe then connect to the muffler via the clamps.
Any help ideas on this?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,769
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From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
You need a few feet of space to remove stock exhaust.
If you cut the old system off you do not need much hight. I kept my old system a few years then threw away.
Your right the BB go on much easier. I had them on my C5Vert
If you cut the old system off you do not need much hight. I kept my old system a few years then threw away.
Your right the BB go on much easier. I had them on my C5Vert
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 686
Likes: 4
From: Ex suburban, now Chicago... IL
No, it can not be done with just Rhino ramps. I have removed both a stock C5 and Z06 exhaust from my C5. The stock was done with a lift and the Z06 was done in my garage. If you are trying to remove the stock exhaust in one piece then you will need to lift the rear about 3ft in the air. Yes, I did say 3ft. I would advise not doing this as it is very dangerous. If I was removing a stock exhaust in my garage again, I would cut it in pieces so it can be removed with minimum clearance. If you are putting on an aftermarket exhaust, most come in sections so normal lift height from a jack is all that should be needed.
I will try to dig up a picture when I removed my Z06 exhaust system in my garage just to show how high it has to be.
Edited: added picture
I will try to dig up a picture when I removed my Z06 exhaust system in my garage just to show how high it has to be.
Edited: added picture
Last edited by zguy; Oct 16, 2005 at 01:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
I'd love to cut the OEM one, but it has to be swapped to another car.
I've found a garage with a lift. Could the stock OEM be taken off, in say, 15-20 minutes? There are just two bolts on the flange in front of the axle, remove the bolt for anti sway bar, then roll that down and out of the way, then then muffler hangers.
1/2 hour cover it?
I've found a garage with a lift. Could the stock OEM be taken off, in say, 15-20 minutes? There are just two bolts on the flange in front of the axle, remove the bolt for anti sway bar, then roll that down and out of the way, then then muffler hangers.
1/2 hour cover it?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 686
Likes: 4
From: Ex suburban, now Chicago... IL
Originally Posted by diyguy
I'd love to cut the OEM one, but it has to be swapped to another car.
I've found a garage with a lift. Could the stock OEM be taken off, in say, 15-20 minutes? There are just two bolts on the flange in front of the axle, remove the bolt for anti sway bar, then roll that down and out of the way, then then muffler hangers.
1/2 hour cover it?
I've found a garage with a lift. Could the stock OEM be taken off, in say, 15-20 minutes? There are just two bolts on the flange in front of the axle, remove the bolt for anti sway bar, then roll that down and out of the way, then then muffler hangers.
1/2 hour cover it?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Success! 
Found a shop open on Sunday - OK - I'll toss a bone 
- City Garage DFW area.... - a place I would never have do any serious work on anything 
-- but what the heck - just needed their lift(s) 
They agreed to "do the work" while I watched. (Yeah Right) It was apparent they had never lifted a vette, so I aligned the lift to the lifting points - put some old rubber bushing spacers so no damage to the sills, and up it/they went.
Then while I was supposed to be merely 'an observer', started with the wrenches and off it came - incredibly easy. Then the other car,.. got them swapped and back down. I think it made the mechanics day when I let him drive one of the 2 home with me - about 1 mile away!
They were amazed how easy it was to do. And, YES... needed every bit of the length of the exhaust from the flange back over axle hoop to remove the stock (folded down the sway bar) and was done with both cars in about an 1 hour. - Sunday Corvette tax charge? Only $60 for basically the use of 2 lifts and someone to help me hold stuff while taking it off and making the swap.
I put 45 lbs torque on the top bolt sway bar, and 75 lbs on the bottom bolt, cause I forget what the torque values are
. Easy to correct if they are wrong.
Thanks for the tips!
Found a shop open on Sunday - OK - I'll toss a bone - City Garage DFW area.... - a place I would never have do any serious work on anything -- but what the heck - just needed their lift(s) They agreed to "do the work" while I watched. (Yeah Right) It was apparent they had never lifted a vette, so I aligned the lift to the lifting points - put some old rubber bushing spacers so no damage to the sills, and up it/they went. Then while I was supposed to be merely 'an observer', started with the wrenches and off it came - incredibly easy. Then the other car,.. got them swapped and back down. I think it made the mechanics day when I let him drive one of the 2 home with me - about 1 mile away!
They were amazed how easy it was to do. And, YES... needed every bit of the length of the exhaust from the flange back over axle hoop to remove the stock (folded down the sway bar) and was done with both cars in about an 1 hour. - Sunday Corvette tax charge? Only $60 for basically the use of 2 lifts and someone to help me hold stuff while taking it off and making the swap.
I put 45 lbs torque on the top bolt sway bar, and 75 lbs on the bottom bolt, cause I forget what the torque values are
. Easy to correct if they are wrong.Thanks for the tips!
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Originally Posted by Last C5
Well, the book says 49 upper and 70 lower so you're in the ball park.
Thanks for the correct values. Been looking all over the place for the correct values. Saw them someplace, but forgot to bookmark them!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Geneva, IL Bring back the Chief!
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Just did mine yesterday. Swap for Corsa's. In my garage. I just cann't pay somebody for something like this....................
Somebody said 3 ft. clearance. They are correct. Get it high enough and its easy as cake.
2 hours to do the whole job. 1 1/2 hours for the jacking. Half hour for the disassembly/install.
Now I need to find someone who can use the old exhaust. Doesn't look like they go on ebay.
D
Somebody said 3 ft. clearance. They are correct. Get it high enough and its easy as cake.
2 hours to do the whole job. 1 1/2 hours for the jacking. Half hour for the disassembly/install.
Now I need to find someone who can use the old exhaust. Doesn't look like they go on ebay.
D
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You really need to get the car about 3' in the air to get the stock exhaust off. If you don't have access to a lift, see what a local muffler shop would charge for the change out. I did that and had my aftermarket exhaust changed for $50.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by zguy
No, it can not be done with just Rhino ramps. I have removed both a stock C5 and Z06 exhaust from my C5. The stock was done with a lift and the Z06 was done in my garage. If you are trying to remove the stock exhaust in one piece then you will need to lift the rear about 3ft in the air. Yes, I did say 3ft. I would advise not doing this as it is very dangerous. If I was removing a stock exhaust in my garage again, I would cut it in pieces so it can be removed with minimum clearance. If you are putting on an aftermarket exhaust, most come in sections so normal lift height from a jack is all that should be needed.
I will try to dig up a picture when I removed my Z06 exhaust system in my garage just to show how high it has to be.
Edited: added picture
I will try to dig up a picture when I removed my Z06 exhaust system in my garage just to show how high it has to be.
Edited: added picture
