Removing the Muffler (how to?)

[Scooby]

I haven't tackled the project yet, but I'd like to get an understanding of the level of frustration. I'd like to remove it... . not cut it out... . so that I can go back to something if needed.



Mine looks a bit rusted - so what are the tricks I should start off with right away that can shorten the time? I'm replacing muffler with the Muffler Elimination kit but planning on keeping the resonator.



I've already sprayed it with PB blaster once.

 

[p-Bar]

Well the same gorilla that puts on the oil filters also torques on the clamps front and rear of the muff. Very hard to try to save it a lot of guys use the die grinders you will find a little tit at the top with a small notch in the pipe this seems to be used for alignment which then makes it hard to turn and remove watch out the muffler is very heavy go to a muff shop and buy some new clamps it will make the job easier. Good luck

 

[MChildress]

Like p-Bar said when they tighten the muffler clamps they crimp the pipe into the muffler pipe. You can die grind through the first layer of pipe and spread it out to get it off. The easiest way is to use a saws all and cut it off.

 

[Scooby]

Well the same gorilla that puts on the oil filters also torques on the clamps front and rear of the muff.

Dang - I hate that guy. I think he's the same one who installs the bleeder valves on the brakes, too.



So it sounds like what you guys are saying is take it to a shop and let them remove it! (this is my interpretation after figuring in that I have about 15 minutes of free time every weekend!)

 

[jmadison]

yes take it to a muffler shop and they can heat up the muffler end and tail pipe ends. it comes apart fairley easy when it's heated up with a tourch.

 

[p-Bar]

The Geno's muff delete pipe is a perfect fit if you are going that route

 

[MChildress]

I used a 4" 90 grinder to cut a slit in the first layer of pipe to remove mine and stainless muffler band clamps to hold the Geno's delete pipe. I was able to move the tail pipe up closer to the body before tightening it all up that is just cosmetic. I have a 5" Banks tip and think it just looks better hanging about 1/2" from the body instead of several inches.

 

[AWay]

After I twisted the ends off of the clamp bolts, split the pipe and pryed the hell out of it, no problem dropping the muffler out. I want that gorilla that tightens those clamps on my side in a fight. For sure the muffler delete pipe from Geno's is the way to go.

 

[CDonaldson]

I used my 4" grinder with a thin cuttingwheel, and cut 3 slits about an inch or so long - just past the clamp indent, parallel to the muffler pipe, then drove a chisel in just enough to expand the muffler ends to get it past the clamp indent. You could probably use a smaller tool/grinder with a smaller wheel, the secret is to take your time, go slow, cut just deep enough to barely cut a slit.



The ME pipe is a perfect fit/replacement. I used a band clamp, but the exhaust system is heavy, bouncing down the road it will turn some,mine did at least, so I went back and put on the typical 'U' clamps used for exhaust systems.



All in all, the job took about 20-30 minutes from start to finish.







CD

 

[JMarketos]

Bought (among other things) a cat-back exhaust for my truck, installed it last fall. Truck has 37K miles, never seen salt. Everything underneath is clean and lots of room to get at it. Brother and I thought- "What the heck- how hard could that be?". We didn't know about the gorilla and how the clamps tend to crimp the outer pipe onto the inner one, and about the indexing peg that prevents you from being able to twist the joint back and forth. Ended up taking it to a muffler shop. The muffler shop ended up using a sawzall. My 0. 02- frustration factor is high on this one. I don't think you'd regret letting the muffler shop do their magic... .

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Use a Sawzall to remove the muffler. If you ever want to reinstall it, use two NAPA or similar stainless steel band clamps (4” clamps are 733-5976; there are also clamps that go from 4” OD pipe to 4” ID pipe, such as TorcTite TTS400).

 

[Scooby]

Thanks for the great replies! I loosened the clamps and that's about as far as I got. I'm going to a muffler shop!!



BTW is the Diamond Eye Muffler eliminator the same as the one Geno's sells? I totally flaked out and bought the Diamond Eye - not even thinking about the one in Genos.

 

[Scooby]

Just back from muffler shop... . Money well spent!



Only bad thing is that to remove the old part they had to torch, cut and mangle it. The tech said the part I brough with me wasn't long enough so he welded it in place. It isn't the prettiest of welds... . but hey who's looking under there anyway, right?



My exhaust system is looking kinda rusty so I'm thinking that if I like the sound I'll have to save up and get a nicer turbo or cat back system later.



Not a huge difference in sound - a little deeper and raspy-er. It does feel a little different when rowing through the gears... . like the engine is revving up a tiny bit faster and dropping rpms between shifts a little faster.



Thanks again for the great replies.