Generation III External Engine - Header Install... Help!! How the @$*# do I get the old exhaust off?!?

Alright, started installing my Hooker LTs this afternoon, and I've hit my first question.

I plan on running true duals, so in addition to removing the cats, y-pipe, etc, I also need to remove my Loudmouth cat-back.

Therein lies the problem; I can't get the pipes on the Loudmouth apart for the life of me. Any suggestions??

I shot some penetrating oil in the junctions before I gave up; not sure if that'll help or not. I could borrow a sawsall, but I really want to resell the Loudmouth, since I've only had it on for a couple months (about 1,500 miles). Also figured it'd be easy to get apart since it hasn't been on long, but I was sadly mistaken.

What about picking up one of the little propane torches at WalMart and heating the larger pipe(s); would that help them expand? The problem seems to be that I put all the clamps on so tight that I crimped the outer pipe(s).

Anyway, TIA for any help you can give. This is by far the most involved bolt-on I've tried on my own; figured it'd be a good "learning experience". <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

I'd have to agree with you about trying the small propane torch, get the pipe as hot as you can all around it and pull/push like hell. Good luck with the install.

Al

I tried heating up the pipe to pull it off. NICE TRY BUT NO CIGAR. In fact, I had two torches going so we can get the entire surface area of the connection hot. The heat was moving to the pipe under the one we were trying to pull off so both pipes expanded!. So, we put ice on one pipe so it doesn't expand and that didn't work. Finally, I called Speed Inc. and asked them what they do. What your supposed to do is cut slanted lines on the outer pipe from about 4 inches out to where it ends. Just a few of them. Then you will have to peel them back, God knows how your supposed to do that. And then, PRESTO. Hope this helps.

Im having the same prob with my loudmouth. This is the second time ive installed it though, i took it off to put my headers on, and then put it back on. Now im tryin to sell it, but i cant get the pipes apart. Could we contact SLP about this? Could there be any faults in the Exhaust.

I hate to suggest it. But when I removed my exhaust...Sawzall baby. Cut the damn thing right off.
I run Hooker LT with True dual setup. Watch out for speedbumps, and other road hazards (crunch)

Take that I pipe and shake the POS as hard as you can left and right underneith the car. It will eventually loosen up and then you can get the back off. Thats how i did it. But i mean shake it hard as you can.

Dude I did the same thing to mine when I installed it. Tightened the clamps so tight they'll never come apart. lol I ended up dropping my rear and taking it out as oen piece. If I did it all over again I'd cut that POS first thing.

P.S. Don't tighten the clamps so much next time.