Removing Original Stock exhaust System

[1batt4u]

The other day I went to remove the stock exhaust system. What a Bi**h it was!!! I started 11am finished close to 3pm. Crazy!!!! All bolts came out no problem at, real easy,, it was reach the bolts that was the issue!! And then removing the U-pipe, that was crazy!! Had to remove the heat shields from the U-pipe in order to get it out!!

Everyone else have the same experience??

Are people in need of the stock exhaust??

[Chris4099]

I replaced my system late last year. From memory:

Muffler came out with no issues.
Most studs broke on the CAT and it would not come off. I had to hammer on it for about 15 minutes before it broke loose from the rust.
All but 1 cross-over stud broke. The top one on the driver side was the worst. Took me over an hour to figure out the right socket/extension/wrench combination that allowed me to get torque on the nut while still getting enough travel with the wrench without the socket popping off.
The cross-over pipe itself wasn't too bad to remove as I removed the driver side axle ahead of time. It simply rotated right out at that point.
For the manifolds, I only broke about two studs. But that heat stove really fought me.

I probably spent more time removing the stock exhaust then installing the DPI Spec I system!

[stevedmc]

I couldn't seperate my crossover pipe from the cat. My dad ended up having to cut the crossover pipe for me. You can read about it on this thread:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?446-Spec-.01-Exhaust&highlight=spec+exhaust

[jfirios]

This is why my garage did it and installed the stage 1 back on. :)

[1batt4u]

I'm doing everything on my car by myself! Not that I want to, I just don't have any help or anything. Everyone acts like they're too busy to help out, but when then need hlep they beg!!
I put the back end of the car on ramps. Since I have taken apart most things on the engine, I had to push the car on the ramps all by myself!! :strongman:

I'm doing all work outside, not in a garage, in a tight driveway!

[Marty]

The other day I went to remove the stock exhaust system. What a Bi**h it was!!! All bolts came out no problem at, real easy,,

The exhaust is a massive PITA! I'd say you're very lucky! Josh at DPI is doing mine for me, and six of the studs broke off in the block and had to be extracted. Horrible.

[TTait]

I had to push the car on the ramps all by myself!! :strongman:

Its slightly easier to jack up the rear end of the car and lower it onto the ramps...

[20098]

Are you replacing the entire exhaust with another system? Are you going to be reusing the original heat shield? If not, I would be interested in it if it were original and in good condition. Do you have any pictures? Please let me know.
Thanks!

[jfirios]

I would love to be able to do all the work myself on my car, though some is beyond me, but all the custom interior mods i will be doing myself. Still looking forward to the double din adapter.

[stevedmc]

Are you replacing the entire exhaust with another system? Are you going to be reusing the original heat shield? If not, I would be interested in it if it were original and in good condition. Do you have any pictures? Please let me know.
Thanks!

I can't speak for anyone else but one of the reasons I upgraded to Spec .01 was because my heat shield was deteriorated. Instead of spending $50 - $100 for a new heat shield I spent about $300 to upgrade my exhaust, I no longer need a heat shield, have better engine access, and of course better performance.

I'm guessing that most of these 30 year old asbestos heat shields have seen better days and aren't usable anymore.