got a SS Magnaflow and have some q's

[americana]

i have pre-spent some of my per diem money on an AFE and a magnaflow. the AFE is on but have to fly back to Seattle Monday morning.



I've got some questions on the removal of the stock system. over the years i've only heard of the sawzall method of removal. i'd like to know how hard it will be to remove the stock exhaust system either somewhat intact either by driving to warm up or by using a plumbers torch.



am i being unrealistic?



on the install... . the downtube seems to be the hardest to remove/reinstall. am i right? better to do it from the top or bottom?



lastly, anyone out there have some time to help me on my next trip home from Seattle which will be on memorial day weekend? i know it is a tough one with bbq's and family gatherings, but if you don't mind being paid in beer and grilled steak i think i can accomodate you.



p. s. if anyone is familiar with afe's let me know. i will pay a beer to anyone who can do a quick drive-by and tell me if i did or did not screw up the install.



p. p. s. if anyone in the Bellevue/Sammamish area knows of an inexpensive place to stay let me know. the more i can save from per diem the more i can spend on bombs!!!



thanks much in advance.

 

[lschultz]

You send me some money and I will come over there and watch you,talk to you. I getting ready to order me one from Banks so I will be going through the same thing. But I got my son who lives in the next pasture so I will watch him and talk to him. What kind of exhaust did you get? I would think it would come off fairly easy you might have to heat it some. All I got to use is a propane torch but if I have to I'll go across the highway and get my brother in laws torch.



I see you got a 98 so it might be a little more difficult there.

 

[americana]

the only way i've ever removed an exhaust system is the sawzall way. but before i get a few blisters trying to get it off nicely i'd like to know if will be worth the trouble.



and lschultz... if i had the money to bring you up here... . i would AND i'd pay someone to install it for me so we could BOTH watch!

 

[BTowler]

I used an oxy-acetylene cutting torch, went real easy, just cut one line at each connection and it should loosen up enough to remove it. Came in handy with the clamps and hangers too.

 

[Proram]

Exh removal

You can't get the stock downpipe off without removing the Trans cross member, thats why we cut um right in front of the fwd crossmember. also the pipe must come out and go in from under neath. sawzall is the fastest cleanest way to cut the pipe, the rest of the system can be removed in 2 pieces, use a torch to heat up the tailpipe at the rear of the muffler and wiggle it around till you can get it out. Done many, tried all the routes no easy way. Good luck, happy sawing.



Scott

 

[JOE911]

What Proram said. Sawsall, done in 10min. Trying to take it off without cutting, hours and still not done. Good luck!!!

 

[Turbo Thom]

Ain't that da truth. cut it.

 

[americana]

thanks, guys. i hadn't taken a hard look from underneath, but had heard a lot of the sawzall method. looks like i'll be putting it in the next time i'm home from Seattle on my birthday in a few weeks.



who knows... . maybe the wifey will let me get away with a little more bombing

 

[jelvington]

I cut my stock exhaust in one location on the mid-pipe before the muffler. I then took the section behind the cut and worked it forward over the the rear end bringing the tail pipe over the rear end toward the cab and didn't have to make anymore cuts. I had to drop the spare tire first to give the tail pipe room to move while I twisted it over the rear end.

The front section from the down pipe to the cut on the mid-pipe will come down without removing the cross member. I have the two sections still in tact in storage so all I have to do is replace the mid-pipe, where I cut it, if I want to put the stock exhaust back on.

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

I'm runnin a ss Magnaflow no muff. and a afe mega cannon sounds ok, nah better than ok, way better than a str8 stock... would like to know how it really sounds w/a true 4inch???