how to install an exhaust

[schultz9008]

alright so i just bought my exhaust and i plan on putting it in myself. i have never put one in before and i was wandering if anyone could help me out. im sure it cant be that hard but i would like to know what im dealing with so if someone could please be nice and help me out that would be awesome. and i dont want other people telling me to search if you are just going to tell me to search the forum dont reply. thank you for co operating

 

[1997_GSX]

Well I deffinatly would have some spare hardware, and a spray that penetrates rust such as PB Blaster to spray the O2 sensors and factory studs. Let that soak a while. other than that, make sure you use jackstands while the car is jacked up.

 

[clarson_75]

if its bolt together you just bolt up each piece and use the rubber hangers to hang it under the car. if it is slip together, you will need clamps to attach each piece and then use the rubber hangers to hang it under the car.

 

[cs82685]

if you're doing it by yourself, it's nice to have a spare jackstand (or something else) which you can rest the piping on as sometimes it's hard to wrestle with it alone without having the other end of a piece supported.

 

[420a_turbo]

If its not a complete exhaust and you still need the factory DP or cat converter I would invest in a MAP gas torch. They will be around 50 bucks with a full tank. It will be 100X easier with heat then without.

 

[dsm9]

if you got a cat back the hardest part will be getting the exhaust seperated from the cat on the car. this part took me the longest and i eventually had to get a saw-saw. you could do it by yourself if you have all the right tools but another person never hurts.

 

[jjrock5]

1. Lift the car up and place it on jackstands. I always place cinderblocks underneath the car as well just to be sure.

2. Soak every single bolt that will have to come off, as well as the rear o2 sensor and the rubber hangers. I like PB blaster as well. I usually do this step and leave it overnight just so it'll penetrate.

3. Grab the proper tools, probably a socket and ratchet and start trying to ''loosen'' all the bolts. In reality they will all be rusted to hell and will either break off or you will have to cut them off with a grinder.

4. Use the proper size wrench and pull off the o2 sensor. You can also get an o2 socket which makes life easier.

5. Try to slip the rubber hangers off the exhaust, they are also usually very hard to slip off but using a screwdriver as a prybar you can usually get them off with ease. Once you have most hangers off slowly start to bring down the exhaust.

6. Say F*** you DSM, I love to hate you!!!!

7. Place the new exhaust piece by piece under the car and put it up on the hangers.

8. Start bolting up the system using NEW SS hardware and NEW gaskets, but leave them loose. I like to use antiseize, just in case it needs to come off in the future, which it will.

9. Once you have all pieces together tighten all bolts.

10. Bring the car down, start it up and enjoy all the N/T raspiness(not as bad as Hondas) that you and your neighbor's ears can take.

Good Luck!

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

Step 1: Get car on lift or jackstands.
Step 2: soak the shit out of all the bolts that you're gonna deal with with some PB blaster. don't get it in your eyes.
Step 3: grab some lunch and a beer
Step 4: repeat step 2
Step 5: grab another beer, find something to occupy your time for a few minutes. I like to change my oil since the car is already off the ground
Step 6: start wrenching on those old bolts. I prefer to start at the rear and work forward taking apart the exhaust piece by piece. Trying to take out the midpipe when the rear muffler is still attached makes for some awkward annoyances. Impact guns help a TON where you can get them to fit.
Step 7: if the bolts are still stuck, try a cheater bar, or repeat step 2.
Step 8: get the old parts out and spike that MOFO on the ground! grab another beer, you deserve it.
Step 9: install the new pieces in the opposite order you removed them in. use new gaskets and bolts (stainless hardware makes a huge difference)

 

[jjrock5]

Step 1: Get car on lift or jackstands.
Step 2: soak the shit out of all the bolts that you're gonna deal with with some PB blaster. don't get it in your eyes.
Step 3: grab some lunch and a beer
Step 4: repeat step 2
Step 5: grab another beer, find something to occupy your time for a few minutes. I like to change my oil since the car is already off the ground
Step 6: start wrenching on those old bolts. I prefer to start at the rear and work forward taking apart the exhaust piece by piece. Trying to take out the midpipe when the rear muffler is still attached makes for some awkward annoyances. Impact guns help a TON where you can get them to fit.
Step 7: if the bolts are still stuck, try a cheater bar, or repeat step 2.
Step 8: get the old parts out and spike that MOFO on the ground! grab another beer, you deserve it.
Step 9: install the new pieces in the opposite order you removed them in. use new gaskets and bolts (stainless hardware makes a huge difference)

Ha I beat you to it!!!! In your face!!!

 

[RoninEclipse2G]

Ha I beat you to it!!!! In your face!!!

Mine was funnier and more fun!

You totally forgot the beer sessions inbetween waiting for the damn rust penetrator to work

Edit: double check my step 8. best part of it all.

 

[schultz9008]

alright cool thanks alot, i have never put an exhaust on before but i can do the basic stuff, im going to have a few buddies with me so you think ill be alright. and by the way what is pb blaster?

 

[gingerbredman00]

It's WD-40 on ROIDS!!

 

[schultz9008]

alright cool, so how much am i supposed to spray on it and how long should i let it soak or w/e

 

[2gGSXEclipse]

soak the shit out of the bolts.....let sit for atleast 20 minutes....but id say the longer the better....even if you can i'd say spray all the bolts.......drink beer all night....and comeback in the morning and spray one more time and let sit for 20 minutes and start wrenching

 

[schultz9008]

alright cool thanks alot

 

[Locke]

I've had a bit of difficulty working the muffler section over the rear cross member, until I lifted the rear end about 4' up so I could find the perfect angle to slip it right in.

Tools I've found helpful anytime I work on exhaust is an oxyacetylene torch, die grinder w/cut-off wheel, air hammer, and Sawzall. I don't even try to remove old rusted exhaust bolts any more. I just cut them off.

 

[92blutalon]

Step 1: Get car on lift or jackstands.
Step 2: soak the shit out of all the bolts that you're gonna deal with with some PB blaster. don't get it in your eyes.
Step 3: grab some lunch and a beer
Step 4: repeat step 2
Step 5: grab another beer, find something to occupy your time for a few minutes. I like to change my oil since the car is already off the ground
Step 6: start wrenching on those old bolts. I prefer to start at the rear and work forward taking apart the exhaust piece by piece. Trying to take out the midpipe when the rear muffler is still attached makes for some awkward annoyances. Impact guns help a TON where you can get them to fit.
Step 7: if the bolts are still stuck, try a cheater bar, or repeat step 2.
Step 8: get the old parts out and spike that MOFO on the ground! grab another beer, you deserve it.
Step 9: install the new pieces in the opposite order you removed them in. use new gaskets and bolts (stainless hardware makes a huge difference)

i like step 3 and 5