I have stock mufflers that are welded to the small section of pipe that go from the mufflers over the chassis and clamp on the straight section. My problem is that I unclamped them from the other exhaust pipe, unhooked them from the rubber vibration pieces and disconnected the swaybar, but I cannot get them out. Like I said, I unclamped them and pulled them out but there was not enought room to pull the pipes completely apart. I hate to disconnect anything else if I cannot do this without taking it to a muffler shop. Also I haven't disconnected the long straight pipes coming off the headers. My main concern is that I can't get the cans out because they are welded to the u-shaped piece that looks impossible to wrangle out without cutting it.
Please help

 

You have to have the car up fairly high on the jackstands, then unbolt the h/x-pipe from the cats and the mufflers and remove it.

Then kind of twist and turn the mufflers down and out over the axles. Once the mid pipe is out it just takes a little maneuvering to get them out but they will come.

I dont think you can get the mufflers out with just unclamping them from the mid pipe and trying to pull them out. You will need to remove it.

Hope that helps.

Ben

 

On of these days I'm going to have to buy all of you that have helped me! I've always said that this forum rocks because of the members quickness to help out. Notice the time lapse from post to answer.

 

When you unhook the "H" pipe at the cats,push the sliding flanges back and remove the lower studs from the cat mounting flanges(they thread right out). This will allow you to drop the "H" pipe straight down,and when you reinstall it makes it a lot easier to get the pipe back up into place. When the "H"pipe is down is an excellent time to put in a thicker and insulated tunnel plate,a mod you will not regret doing as it will keep much exhaust heat from the interior of the car around the console and improve the rigidity of the frame. Mine is from Elite Engineering and I am very happy with it,but other Forum vendors sell them as well. Get a set of standard exhaust clamps from your local auto parts store for the connection of muffler to axle pipe and once you get the mufflers in position really clamp down this connection! The inlet pipes for the mufflers are very heavy steel and require some grunt to get clamped adequately to seal. It is my opinion that this connection adds significantly to the drone many experience with the Flows if not really tight. Good luck with the install. You will love the sound!

 

Thanks for all the help. But just to make sure I'm understanding you all correctly, you're saying that I can indeed remove the mufflers and pipes over the axle? even though they are welded to the u-shaped pipes?
thanks the reason I keep asking because there is Murph's law and then there's "John's law" just ask my wife and I don't want to start throwing wrenches about the garage. The viper is only 5 feet away!

 

Just drop the H/X pipe, remove the 2 bolts/2 nuts on the sway bar and let it hang down, remove the mufflers from the hangers (or remove the hangers) and the muffler/overaxle pipes will slide out with a little cussing.

 

Maybe because mine is a little older (2006), but a moderate amount of cussing needed to be applied before my over-axle pipes came loose.

 

I've done two systems and only had the rear up 12 inches or so. I found it easier to remove the driver's side muffler first. Don't know why but the passenger side was harder and with the driver's side gone it was easier. As another poster said you slowly drop and rotate (twist) while gently pulling back and down. If you feel resistance I stop and try another angle. You shouldn't need to force it.

A little cussing does help.

 

Mine came out easily using the twist and slowly rotate down and away. My car is an '05. Make sure when you are ready to bolt up the sway bars that the bolts and holes are clean. You can easily cross thread these. Also the studs in the cat flanges are very easily bent,so don't overtighten those. Please don't ask me how I know these things-I might just start crying.

 

Well guys, thanks for all the pointers. I now have my flows on. Yes I did drop the h-section, right on the side of my face,chest,***** You guys seemed to leave out that it weighs a ton. I will give it to one of you because you said that it would be easier if you had someone to help. No SH8t! 5 hours, sprained back from tugging, the neighbor had called her priest over to bless her demented/possessed neighbor but a set of vise grips sent him ducking for cover. OOh and lastly nothing says "I'm gonna get you sucka" like the ole' reciprocating saw with a bi-metal blade. Driver side came out fairly easy, but there was no way that the pass would come out. I had that thing in so many positions it reminded me of the time I went to Vegas.

However, I am dissapointed with the sound. From all that I read about the loudness and people stuffing steel wool to keep the drone down. I will probably do more research and get another one. I have a 4.7 ltr Dodge ram 1500 with a flowmaster that blows the vette away in sound. I have the flowmaster 17416 (vette), dont know what I have on my truck. but truck definately sounds better, deeper more growl. Oh well....I am strictly going for sound so if anyone knows of another system let me know. Also would adding an x-pipe help in the sound?

 

Would an x-pipe increase my sound?