My new exhaust shipped out on Wednesday (Thanks, Nate!), and I wanted to get a little more info so that I'm prepared for the swap.

So far, I understand that I do NOT need to lift the car all that high to remove the GHLs I had put on a few weeks ago, since the GHLs are sectional. However, I seem to recall some "horror" posts here regarding the stays on the rear that the muffler tabs slide into, where some members reported that the stay bolts can fall into the frame or something. So, I'd like to find out more details.

I've looked at all the how to's both here and on other boards, but most instructions detail how to remove the STOCK system, whereas I need to know more about removing the GHLs.

Specifically, I've looked under the car, and can't tell for sure, but it looks like the tabs on the GHL cans just slip fit into the rubber stays on the car. Do I somehow just slide the cans toward the front of the car, so the tabs slip right out of the stays?

Or, do I have to unbolt something on the stays? If so, does anyone have hints or tips on how to ensure the stay bolts don't fall into the frame?

Also, the order in which I should remove pieces I'm thinking needs to go like this:

1) Remove tip assemblies from the GHL cans.

2) Undo the clamps that hold the mufflers to the over-axle pipes.

3) SOMEHOW (and I'm not even sure this is possible), wiggle the cans loose from the over-axle pipes.

4) SOMEHOW slide the cans towards the front of the car to remove them from the stays?

5) Unbolt the over-axle pipes at the flanges.

6) Remove the over-axle pipes.

If anyone has ANY comments, I sure would appreciate them, as the Bullets are in perfect shape now, and I don't want to damage them, or more importantly, lose some parts in the frame or something.

TIA

 

I just swapped my exhaust yesterday and the bolts that hold the brackets are a bit interesting, but I had no problems getting that worked out. My advice is to do it on a lift, you will still need to get your car up a pretty decent height to make this easier, yes it can be done without putting it up on a lift. However, the sections (my borlas, which were straight pipes) were a PITA to slide apart from each other, even with the clamps off, so you may want to get a can of PB and spray it on the section and allow to sit and hep loosen the pieces up (lubricate is a better word) and just take your time.

You may also have to remove a small heat shield on the passenger side where the flanges connect just before the rear suspension, my flanges kept getting stuck and I finally just removed that piece and it open things up nicely. It is a nut and a screw.

Other than that, you seem to have things covered. Good luck and enjoy.

Micah

 

So far, I understand that I do NOT need to lift the car all that high to remove the GHLs I had put on a few weeks ago, since the GHLs are sectional.

1)Correct

However, I seem to recall some "horror" posts here regarding the stays on the rear that the muffler tabs slide into, where some members reported that the stay bolts can fall into the frame or something. So, I'd like to find out more details.

2)Correct, don't drop them in the frame If you do, you can remove the tail lights and get them back

I've looked at all the how to's both here and on other boards, but most instructions detail how to remove the STOCK system, whereas I need to know more about removing the GHLs.

3)Un-bolt them.

Specifically, I've looked under the car, and can't tell for sure, but it looks like the tabs on the GHL cans just slip fit into the rubber stays on the car. Do I somehow just slide the cans toward the front of the car, so the tabs slip right out of the stays?

Yes, or remove the rubber stays... (See answer 2 )

Or, do I have to unbolt something on the stays? If so, does anyone have hints or tips on how to ensure the stay bolts don't fall into the frame?

4) be careful

Also, the order in which I should remove pieces I'm thinking needs to go like this:

1) Remove tip assemblies from the GHL cans.

2) Undo the clamps that hold the mufflers to the over-axle pipes.

3) SOMEHOW (and I'm not even sure this is possible), wiggle the cans loose from the over-axle pipes.

4) SOMEHOW slide the cans towards the front of the car to remove them from the stays?

5) Unbolt the over-axle pipes at the flanges.

6) Remove the over-axle pipes.

5) and then you are done

If anyone has ANY comments, I sure would appreciate them, as the Bullets are in perfect shape now, and I don't want to damage them, or more importantly, lose some parts in the frame or something.

TIA


Peace
Willfulone

 

what are you doing with your GHL's? what kind are they quads, dual's? i may know someone intrested.....pictures?
to: mdbirch@dls.net

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Bullets, Quad-tipped, 6" cans, new-style 4" rolled tips, 500 miles. Basically new. I will be selling them.

No pics, yet, as the system is still on the car. When the new system comes in on Monday, or Tuesday, I will do the swap, then snap pics. I have started a list of people who have expressed interest, and can add you to the list, if you like. Just let me know.

 

I just took a better look at the rubber stays and brackets on the back of the car. How in the world do those bolts work? I mean, they must be welded to the inside of the frame, right? Because if they weren't then how would you be able to hold them still when you crank the nut down on them? And, if they are welded, how can they possibly fall into the frame tube?

 

pm me with a price....

 

The 2 bolts are attached to a bracket which floats inside the framerail. Ther are free to push up and down, but can't turn.


But none of that matters, as there is absolutely no reason to remove the hanger nuts to remove or install the exhaust. The tabs on the pipes simply slide in and out of the hanger.

 

OK, so the pair are welded to a single bracket inside the framerail, got it. As long as they're both attached to the same bracket, I guess it would at least make them LESS easy to fall UP into the frame, than it would be if they each had their own individual bracket, right?
I took a good look at how the GHLs bolt together, but I don't see how I'd be able to slide the cans far enough forward so the tabs will slide out of the hangers.

The GHL cans' inlet pipes slip over the over-axle pipes. Even if I loosen the clamps, it doesn't look like there's enough room to slide the mufflers forward enough to clear the hangers, does that make sense?

How would you do this? Unbolt the over-axle pipes and try to move the whole unit forward, 'til the mufflers clear the stays, THEN unbolt the clamps? Then there would be the matter of separating the slip joints without the over-axle pipes being attached to anything. Wouldn't that be a biatch?

Thanks.

 

why would you pu those on a few weeks ago, an dnow taking them off, what new exhaust did you get???

 

I removed my stock exhaust and installed the GHL's w/o ever removing those hanger nuts.

I haven't touched the exhaust for over 3 years, so my memory may be fuzzy, but you are correct in that unbolting it at the flange first is probably the easiest way to go about it. There is a lot of wiggle room in the system, and once you unbolt the flanges, you should be able to easily slide the whole system forward until it drops out.

 

Because I'm a nut, just like the rest of us. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be on this forum, let alone own a Vette!

I originally got the GHLs because I wanted a musclecar sound, over an exotic sound, but I've always liked the GTR tips that can only be had on the Corsas.

Yeah, I know, many people think I'm crazy for sacrificing the musclecar sound for tips, but I also have an X-pipe on the car, so I'm pretty sure the x-pipe will smooth out the motorboat idle, and deepen the tone enough so that I'm still happy with the Pace Cars' sound. I'm pretty sure I won't have that decel popping, either, because I had a custom road tune done that eliminated the popping after the GHLs were put on.

Nothing against the GHLs , though. They are indeed high quality. I mean, when I first looked at them even in pieces OFF the car, it seemed as though I already knew what they were going to sound like. They're really heavy duty-looking and feeling, too. I just hope the Corsas are of as good a quality. But, I guess there's no turning back now. The only thing that would stop me from keeping the Corsas at this point, is if they sound cheap compared to the GHLs. That's the only worry I have.

Call me nuts, and I'll agree.

 

Oh, I see what you're saying.... I can unbolt the flanges, slide the whole unit forward so the mufler clears the hanger, THEN unbolt the muffler from the over-axle pipe. Thanks for the info!