Removing exhaust system
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RE: Removing exhaust system
Looking forward to it! I should be picking it up today, hoping to install tomorrow morning. I looked at those Corsa instructions, do you knwo if Magnaflow requires dropping the spare tire also? I guess I'll find out soon enough...
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RE: Removing exhaust system
ORIGINAL: kpanza
Corsa makes nice products, but way too much money for the handful of horses you pick up...withsome exceptions, today's truck/car exhaust systems are way less restrictive than yesterday's vehicles, so doing a catback is more for the sound (important to many of us!) and maybe a few horsepower along with it. I'd probably just do a Magnaflow (or similar) muffler only, and get rid of the resonator at the same time for the improved sound, but for the price I am getting the catback system for, I'm probably better off by the timeI price in my muffler shop's charge for installing/removing/adding pipe, etc...
Yeah, looked at lunch real quick underneath, and it will most likely need to be cut...no biggie.
Corsa makes nice products, but way too much money for the handful of horses you pick up...withsome exceptions, today's truck/car exhaust systems are way less restrictive than yesterday's vehicles, so doing a catback is more for the sound (important to many of us!) and maybe a few horsepower along with it. I'd probably just do a Magnaflow (or similar) muffler only, and get rid of the resonator at the same time for the improved sound, but for the price I am getting the catback system for, I'm probably better off by the timeI price in my muffler shop's charge for installing/removing/adding pipe, etc...
Yeah, looked at lunch real quick underneath, and it will most likely need to be cut...no biggie.
Have you seen any of these "grommet pliers" to remove the hangers from the rubber isolators?
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RE: Removing exhaust system
"Have you seen any of these "grommet pliers" to remove the hangers from the rubber isolators?"
U shaped on both ends and sit flat together then when you pull the handles they pull away from each other. Yep got those and a big frickin breaker bar for the pain the in a** ones.
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RE: Removing exhaust system
Just wanted to do a "post-install" report for you guys, in case anyone's interested: I removed the stock exhaust and installed the Magnaflow catback on Saturday morning. Yes, you will need to cut the factory exhaust behind the stock muffler. I chose to cut it a few inches behind the muffler, for ease of re-installation (mainly for ease of welding room) when I turn it back in at lease end. Cutting it farther towards the rear would make easier to remove, as you must snake the rear portion up and over the axle/spare tire, etc...it was not that difficult, just requires a bit of finesse (and a few swear words for good measure!) Keep in mind, all of this was done in the driveway, with the rear of the Tahoe up on some car ramps for a little extra room. The biggest obstacle was getting the rubber isolator bushings off, but using some large channel locks, I figured it out and the rest came off pretty easy (take care not to ruin them, or you'll have to go to Chevy and get more)
Installation of the Magnaflow was real easy. Start at front and work your way back...tighten just enough to keep it together, then make adjustments to get the tip situated correctly and clearance for all tubing. The tubes were perfectly bent, it clears with plenty of room. The tip was a tad too close after my first test drive, it came to rest about 1/4 inch from the body. I went back under and adjusted the rear section, and now is perfect. The band clamps they use are high quality, way better than the old u-bolts...too bad the muffler is out of sight under there, as the polished stainless looks sweet.
Anyways, it took me about an hour from start to finish, most of the time to remove the factory system. I'm sure if you had an extra set of hands, you could shave a little time off. It sounds really good, has a nice deep rumble at startup and acceleration. It does NOT drone at all while cruising, you just hear a tad more rumble (very pleasing to the ear)...and sounds like a truck should when you hit the gas. I'm very happy with it. High quality build, should last a long time. I can't hear any big difference in the 4 cylinder mode (but I have never been accused of great hearing anyways!)
Tools needed: Sawzall (to make the cut on the factory system), 15mm socket wrench, and a torque wrench if you want to get technical (they call for 65ft-lbs on the bands). I did NOT disconnect the battery terminal during or after the install...truck runs fine, no change in idle or anything. I'm sure it is mostly the enhanced sound playing tricks, but it does feel a little more responsive just off idle...haven't driven far enough to see if fuel mileage is affected (plus, I keep gassing it to hear the exhaust!) I'll monitor over the next few fill ups to see if any change.
For the computer tuning guys - should I disconnect the battery to get the computer to relearn? Or will it re-learn on its own? I was hoping to avoid having to reset all of the electronics if I could...[/align]
Installation of the Magnaflow was real easy. Start at front and work your way back...tighten just enough to keep it together, then make adjustments to get the tip situated correctly and clearance for all tubing. The tubes were perfectly bent, it clears with plenty of room. The tip was a tad too close after my first test drive, it came to rest about 1/4 inch from the body. I went back under and adjusted the rear section, and now is perfect. The band clamps they use are high quality, way better than the old u-bolts...too bad the muffler is out of sight under there, as the polished stainless looks sweet.
Anyways, it took me about an hour from start to finish, most of the time to remove the factory system. I'm sure if you had an extra set of hands, you could shave a little time off. It sounds really good, has a nice deep rumble at startup and acceleration. It does NOT drone at all while cruising, you just hear a tad more rumble (very pleasing to the ear)...and sounds like a truck should when you hit the gas. I'm very happy with it. High quality build, should last a long time. I can't hear any big difference in the 4 cylinder mode (but I have never been accused of great hearing anyways!)
Tools needed: Sawzall (to make the cut on the factory system), 15mm socket wrench, and a torque wrench if you want to get technical (they call for 65ft-lbs on the bands). I did NOT disconnect the battery terminal during or after the install...truck runs fine, no change in idle or anything. I'm sure it is mostly the enhanced sound playing tricks, but it does feel a little more responsive just off idle...haven't driven far enough to see if fuel mileage is affected (plus, I keep gassing it to hear the exhaust!) I'll monitor over the next few fill ups to see if any change.
For the computer tuning guys - should I disconnect the battery to get the computer to relearn? Or will it re-learn on its own? I was hoping to avoid having to reset all of the electronics if I could...[/align]
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RE: Removing exhaust system
kpanza,
Thanks for the detailed write up. I've been wanting to do the conversion to Magnaflow myself. Looks like it's time to order it andstart enjoying the Magnaflow sound.
As far as unhooking the battery, I wouldn't think it's necessary. The computer should learn and adjust over the next hundred miles or so. When I added Borlaand anair induction to my vette, I neverunhooked the battery. Computer adjusted as I drove it.
Any pics of the new system...
Thanks for the detailed write up. I've been wanting to do the conversion to Magnaflow myself. Looks like it's time to order it andstart enjoying the Magnaflow sound.
As far as unhooking the battery, I wouldn't think it's necessary. The computer should learn and adjust over the next hundred miles or so. When I added Borlaand anair induction to my vette, I neverunhooked the battery. Computer adjusted as I drove it.
Any pics of the new system...
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RE: Removing exhaust system
Sure thing...sorry, didn't get any pics of the install (I always get too excited by the shiny new parts and forget to snap pics!). I can try to get some pics of the tip and maybe peek underneath, but I'll need help posting them (my brothers are computer techs, but I am a computer dumb*ss! ha,ha)
Yeah, the sound is great, I can never leave stock exhaust alone for long!
Yeah, the sound is great, I can never leave stock exhaust alone for long!
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