Stupid Question, however I need some help
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Stupid Question, however I need some help
I am purchasing a OBX exhaust cat back system for my 2002 corvette. I am in no way a mechanic, however I'm not a total bone head. This system is a bolt on system, and optimally I would love to save the much need cash and put it on myself. Is there any instruction, or instructions on how to remove the factors system, ( I do not have a torch, or anything like that), and how to install the new one. I would love a OBX exhaust installation for dummies book
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
After watching pros put on my last two systems and what it's like to line everything up just right and the tools needed......
Some may disagree....but it's worth the modest price to have someone do it.
Some may disagree....but it's worth the modest price to have someone do it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I really doubt you'd need a manual for just the cat-back. It's pretty straight forward. Just find a place to lift the car safely and give yourself 4 hours or so to install and get the tips aligned perfectly.
On the other hand, I think I paid about $75 to get my cat-back installed. Check around at dsicount muffler shops...
GL
On the other hand, I think I paid about $75 to get my cat-back installed. Check around at dsicount muffler shops...
GL
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
is it just catback, or the whole header and xpipe too?
catback is a mega simple install on a garage floor. you just have to have enough height on the car to wiggle the stupid pipes off. i got pissed at mine and cut them, but even then the catback portion was no more than an hour or so install. that said, most mechanics wont charge more than $65/hr for the work.. and i think my cutting tool ran that.. so i guess it depends on how bad you want to accumulate a tool collection and learn vs just having your toy to play with.
here's your "write up" however:
* remove the rear sway bar. 4 bolts i think.. you need a torque or a hex on one side to prevent the bolt from spinning in the nut. i think it was 17mm socket on the bolt.. may have been 19 though, i cant remember
* set the sway aside
* get a jack handle, a pipe, whatever you can use as leverage to go over the handle of a "real" socket and pop the bolts holding the factory exhaust on to the H pipe portion
* remove the bolts holding the muffler up (at this point it's gonna fall, so be ready)
* have fun figuring out how to route the old setup out.. or do what i did and drink a beer and break out a cutting disc
* drop the old exhaust off
* throw new exhaust on in exactly the same way. get some RTV red sealant to hold the gaskets onto the exhaust while you get it on.
* after it's on, dont drop the car down. stand back 10 feet and make sure it's even
thats off the top of my head, and ive only ever done it once, but thats it in a nutshell
catback is a mega simple install on a garage floor. you just have to have enough height on the car to wiggle the stupid pipes off. i got pissed at mine and cut them, but even then the catback portion was no more than an hour or so install. that said, most mechanics wont charge more than $65/hr for the work.. and i think my cutting tool ran that.. so i guess it depends on how bad you want to accumulate a tool collection and learn vs just having your toy to play with.
here's your "write up" however:
* remove the rear sway bar. 4 bolts i think.. you need a torque or a hex on one side to prevent the bolt from spinning in the nut. i think it was 17mm socket on the bolt.. may have been 19 though, i cant remember
* set the sway aside
* get a jack handle, a pipe, whatever you can use as leverage to go over the handle of a "real" socket and pop the bolts holding the factory exhaust on to the H pipe portion
* remove the bolts holding the muffler up (at this point it's gonna fall, so be ready)
* have fun figuring out how to route the old setup out.. or do what i did and drink a beer and break out a cutting disc
* drop the old exhaust off
* throw new exhaust on in exactly the same way. get some RTV red sealant to hold the gaskets onto the exhaust while you get it on.
* after it's on, dont drop the car down. stand back 10 feet and make sure it's even
thats off the top of my head, and ive only ever done it once, but thats it in a nutshell
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
I've done it about 5 times, and the key is SAFELY lifting your car about 3 ft, or more. With ground clearance, you don't have to remove your sway bar, just two of the bolts, and it swings down out of the way. I've seen pictures of guys that've backed up to the edge of a loading dock, and the ***-end sticks out far enough to clear the catbacks. Genius!, and alot safer than floor jack and blocks of wood.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
I've done it about 5 times, and the key is SAFELY lifting your car about 3 ft, or more. With ground clearance, you don't have to remove your sway bar, just two of the bolts, and it swings down out of the way. I've seen pictures of guys that've backed up to the edge of a loading dock, and the ***-end sticks out far enough to clear the catbacks. Genius!, and alot safer than floor jack and blocks of wood.
i dropped the sway cus it looked like it was in the way, and i was replacing the horrid base c5 ones with beefier ones anyway. i had 2 feet at most when i did mine, though. was a headache, but not hard.
haha, i just noticed in this pic you can see where i'd already grabbed the sawsall
Last edited by sean.b; May 11, 2011 at 02:26 PM.