Hi everyone,
I'm looking a place in Jacksonville that can install a catback exhaust on my 2004. Does anyone have experience with shops in the area? Thanks in advance for your input.
-Bill

 

What kind of catback you're interested to get it installed? Do you have the catback for the muffler shop to install or you're planning to have the muffler shop made one or sell one for you. I haven't had any experience with any local muffler shop but CAJUNY2KC5 can chime in on this one.

 

I haven't purchased yet, but decided on GHL Magnum.

 

I don't know if Ormond Beach would be to long of a drive for you but I had my GHL Magnums installed at the Midus there. A friend recommended the guy who is in his thirties and has been installing custom exhaust most of his life. He is currently back in school getting his master's degree and decide to work there while going through school. In the past month he's installed about 4 systems on C5s by recommendation so he already knows all about the process.

 

Are you in the Navy? I would assume that you are by your Avatar.
I am a retired Master Chief from the Navy and I used to utilize the Hobby Shop quite a bit before I retired. I have installed ZO6 catbacks on my '02 convertible. You need to put your car on a lift and there are only two bolts on each catback forward of your axle and one bolt holding the muffler bracket. You will need to remove the four bolts holding the stabilizer bar to your rear axle. You don't remove the stabilizer bar it just needs to be loose so you can rotate the catback past it and into position. It only took me and a friend a little over an hour to remove my stock exhaust and install my ZO6 catbacks. My car only had about 5K miles on it so my gaskets were still like new. If your car is older with alot of mileage and rain you might want to go ahead and buy new gaskets before you start the job. I bought new gaskets but since I didn't use them I took them back.
I would strongly recommend that you do the job yourself as alot of muffler shops would want to cut your old pipes to get them off. Also, I would recommend that you keep your stock pipes and reinstall them when you sell your car. That way you can sell your aftermarket pipes on the Forum for $300-$500 because you won't get one extra dime for a used Vette because it has loud pipes on it. It is strange that most used car buyers are looking for something as close to stock as possible but as soon as they buy something they start adding Mods.

 

I used the "Muffler Man" shop that was on Blanding (at the time) to install my Corsas and X-pipe. They did a heck of a job and back up their work. I'm not sure where they moved, but I know they're still in business somewhere. They also go by "Rainbow Mufflers".

Whoever you use, make sure they do Corvettes and will insure your exhaust line up and look right or you can get something like this.......

 

 

Just PM me. We can do this in my garage (on my lift). I'm stationed at NAS Jax.

 

Hey Allen!! Is it time for another parade yet????

 

98 Pacecar, I'm at Tyndall - I'll be over there next summer with my new LG set.

 

I agree with the Master Chief... I just put my Borla Stinger catbacks on about a month ago. Cost me $3 for the lift and about $25 for the metal gaskets... Piece of cake! I'm at NAS if you want help...

Cheers,
Vaughn <----- last male plebe to ever ATTEND Ring Dance

 

Hey I sometimes they don't line up perfect and it does take a shop to do the job, I watch the guys at Ecklers have a difficult time. I took mine to St. AUG. to the Magnaflow shop they have been doing cars since they were invented.

 

Hey thanks everybody for the great responses. I had no idea there were this many forum members in Jacksonville! In answer to the master chief, I am a senior at the Naval Academy- so not quite in the Navy yet, but will be headed for flight school sometime after I graduate. Again, I really appreciate all the suggestions from everyone!

 

Congrats in advance on graduating and flight school. Take warm clothes - Pensacola can get a lot colder than JAX.

If you would like to meet some other Vette owners - we'll be at the Whitehouse airfield Saturday morning for an autocross event and you're certainly welcome to come.

 

I had my Borlas installed at Muffler City on Sunbeam. I wouldn't recommend them. They didn't seem to want to spend the time to do it right.

 

Ahhh.... ANOTHER firstie loan well spent.... Why JAX? Are you from here? You obviously won't be here for a while even if you go P-3's or helos... (Go P-3's)... Best quality of life and pay in the Navy.

 

Jim,

Was gonna email you but maybe others need to know as well. Where exactly is Whitehouse? Know of Hurlong, Craig, and Cecil, but never heard of Whitehouse... What time Saturday morning?

Cheers,
Vaughn

 

SmashF15C - I wouldn't mind doing a set of LG's since that's what I would like to do with mine also.

Cajun - may see you out there Saturday morning. Wouldn't mind seeing what the Z06 will do with me behind the wheel. What time is show time?

Vaughn, Whitehouse is just off I-10 to the West of 295. You take the Whitehouse exit, go left to 90, hang a left on 90 and a right at the Whitehouse sign.

 

I probably can come and watch everyone.

 

LOL, It's amazing how quickly those loans disappear, but no regrets so far!!! And to answer your question I am from Jacksonville originally.