projectcop

Hi Folks;
Just got an axle-back system for my 98 A4. The instructions state "automatic transmission will require cutting of the over-axle pipe to remove the muffler."
Is it really necessary to cut this part? I would really like to keep it in one piece in case I ever need or want to put it back on.
I'm doing this in the driveway on ramps, so I don't have a lot of room under there.
George

Rookieracer

I removed my stock and replaced with a titanium Z06 on my 2002 A4 vette without cutting. But you need to have the rear of the car way up in the air. I did mine on a lift.

Do a search, I think the bottom of the bumper cover needs to be something like 40" off the ground.

If you decide to cut, a chain cutter be rented from Autozone or Oreilly's and will take about 3 minutes to cut through your stock exhaust.

There also Youtube videos that show what you are up against. Very helpful.

CCA Corvette Parts

No,

But you need the cars butt end 36-38 inches off the ground.

or

Put it on a lift


I DO NOT recommend trying this without a lift...

Peace
Chip

Vetteman Jack

Here's an option - find a local muffler shop that will do the work for you. That's what I did when I installed an aftermarket catback system on the '00 I had and total cost was $50 for the swap. Money well spent to stay safe.

norman00

I'm not an authority but this happened to me last week. I went to a muffler shop with my 2000 auto. I sat in the waiting room with an eye toward the guy working under the car because I had to be somewhere. During the first 30 minutes or so I could see my stock exhaust still hanging and he wasn't moving along. I walked into the shop and he showed me how the right muffler would not come out. It did not appear it had room to come over the axle. Maybe he didn't try every single angle and twist to it, but it looked like there was no way it would come clear. The car was on a lift where the tires were on the ramps, maybe that affected the angle of removal. But it wasn't coming out. Not really wanting the stock setup, and being in a hurry, I told him to cut it.

CCA Corvette Parts

It will come out without cutting on a lift... It's a twister game,
but it will come out...

Peace
Chip

norman00

Thanks Chip. That's what I get for being in a hurry and not asking first. Good news is I love my new exhaust and won't go back to stock anyway. A hoist is mandatory.

K9Leader

When I replaced the stock system on my '99 with a Ti system, the passenger side gave me fits. I knew it was possible but I didn't want to waste any more time on it and I was not terribly interested in keeping the stock system so I cut it . . . and dumped the old system in the trash.

K9Leader

Mr.Bill

I paid my local muff guy 50 bucks and he took off my stock and installed my TI all in about half an hour. No cutting involved.

Evil-Twin

I gave my stock system to the muffler shop in exchange for removal and installing my Corsa's. Took 30 minutes.

Rickster1

Same here. Except it was only $40. Quick and painless. Find a good independent shop, not one of the chains.

3musky3

had to remove swaybar to get one of the pipes out was on lift cant remember which side.
you can have my old mufflers if you decide to go back to stock. only @ 150k on them

Rookieracer

Oops forgot about undoing the sway bar bushingmounts from both sides and let the bar hang by the end links. On the A4 there is also a wiring harness bracket on the top of the diff that needs to be bent up an out of the way. It is pretty thin sheet metal so you can move it out of the way and then back to the proper position when done. This little bracket was key to getting the exhaust out over the diff.

projectcop

Hey, thanks for all the replies guys. I do appreciate it. I already got ramps so I can do this myself. I miss doing mods. Have not been able to for years now.
I am just going to cut it off. I will survey best point to cut just in case I decide to go back to stock (yea, right).
George

jdmvette

yeah the stock mufflers are junk. sell them for the scrap.

Ohyoufan

I was switching a local guy my by-passed Magnaflow's for his Ti's and we tried switching on the ground at his place first and on top of being super sketchy it just wasn't going to happen, so we took it to an exhaust shop and they charged us $50 total for both

Patches

I have a lift so I know it's not as helpful but this thread does show you you need significant clearance (~36" ground top bottom of fascia) to pull the stock exhaust out in one piece. I have done this many times, with and without a lift, and it's possible with a jack and stands with extra wood but you must be extremely careful. Safety first, last and always.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...installed.html

Here a few pics from a member's ground-level swap a while back.