I would appreciate if someone can tell me the obvious (just kidding but I know the answer is going to be very simple).

I am having a problem getting the muffler off. I have the 8 bolts out of the turbos (4 x 2). I have the bumper off and the straps around the muffler unbolted. I have the bracket from the turbos to the cat flanges unbolted.


I can giggle the muffler and it moves but there appears to be something holding it. There are two 11 torx screws immediately in from of the muffle that appear to hold on some type of bracket that doesn’t move.

What am I missing? I get the impression that the muffler is hung on a bracket and it must be lifted and pulled back at the same time. I tried this but perhaps the clearances are very tight.


What do you think?

 

to be honest, its a bit complicated to explain on the internet, but your in the right direction, there is a bracket that holds the mufflers right behind the mufflers, you can see the two clamps and unstrap and then look behind

what are you trying to do anway?

 

I got a new exhaust system because the old one has been driving me crazy (too quiet for a car with 480 HP) for three years and I have two more years on the lease.

I have the straps unbolted but did not pull them out. I have the two 11 mm torx screws out about 1/2" but the "bracket" (I'm calling it this for lack of a better word) still seem tight the the cross member.

I've been playing with it for perhaps and hour since getting everything unbolted but something is holding it (this is embarrassing as I'm in the engineering profession for 43 years).

Thanks in advance.

 

Take off the insulation that wraps around the muffler and take off the 3 bolts (Behind the muffler) that run into the engine block. Support the engine from underneath as it will drop a few inches.

This will let you take off the support bracket that the muffler is strapped to.

 

Don't forget to unbolt the 4 oxygen sensors from the cats.

 

I knew it appeared too easy. I appreciate the help but unless there is a way of doing it without supporting the engine, I'm afraid it is all going back together. Its strange but the one vendor who I found in the internet with "instructions" never even mentions the turbo-flange brackets, the insulation covers, etc.

 

Which exhaust system did you pick up?

 

I was considering a system from FVD and would have gone along with them. Rhonda knows what she is doing but the manager is just too independent.

I wound up with a system from Maxspeed Motorsport from Canada. Originally they sent me a system but it was slightly off on the exhaust ports. However, speaking with Nello and he totally re-worked the design with multiple adjustment. The quality looks great and for $3,000 it comes complete with tips, 200 cell cats, mufflers and headers. The picture does not show th headers or tips which are in their website. www.maxspeed-motorsports.com

Unfortunately, I can't find a local shop to install it and if I don't get the muffler off, I'm probably going to ask to return the lot.

 

There is something not right, you absolutely do not have to lower the engine to remove the muffler. If all cat bolts and straps are removed the thing should come off.

 

TT Surgeon has done it a million times, i suggest you PM him or NeilM

 

Sounds like you've got everything unbolted correctly. However, those two straps that wrap around the stock muffler are wrapped behind a bracket on the backside of the mufflers. It takes a good bit of wiggling to free the straps from the bracket they hang on to.

 

+1. I too came across the same exact issue when I changed my exhaust for the first time (I'm on my 2nd now).

From underneath, take a peak at the muffler straps. That's what's left holding the stock exhaust. Wiggle/jiggle it out of place(from the bracket) and it will free up the mufflers. Then it will come down quite easily.

The OEM exhaust is a bear to take out. You're not alone.

Feel free to call me when you're underneath it all and I'll walk you thru it.

650-743-8866

 

Maybe a couple pics of the "job done" will help on the opinions.

 

Gut feel is that the straps are the problem. Lifting the engine has me concerned with alignment so if that's necessary, the new system goes back to the Msxspeed.Overnight I also got an email from them apologizing for not answering last night but they too believe that it is a strap problem. Funny that nobody else in all the posts on the exhaust system has ever mentioned it.

The top top bolts on each turbo connection are also a bear to get out. I found a description on the bumper and it fundamentally was right (I wouldn't have gotten it off otherwise) but there were some more bolts/screws than mentioned including a clip at the front of the bumper (on each side).

My thanks to everybody. Assuming I do get this done, I'll try to post a video next weekend as I don't think anyone has done one with this system and to be frank, if the system is as good as it looks, I don't mind getting Nello some business.

 

Why not take a few pics of the area as it is, maybe someone can help point you in the right direction, and it would serve as documentation when someone else hits the same snag?