I have just installed hooker longtubes and am trying to get a y-pipe hooked up. Can i take the stock crossmember off completely? The crossmember is in the way and either has to be majorly modified or removed to fit the y-pipe. Can i do this or will it cause problems. This is on a convertible with weld in bmr subframes.

Andy

 

The only "crossmember" I can think of that you would be talking about would be the one that holds the transmission mount. If this is the case, it should be no problem removing it. I've had no problem removing one to replace the transmission mounts. You may have a problem though if you don't plan on putting it back in. Taking it off to get the Y-pipe in is no problem. Just don't plan on moving the car without the back of the transmission bolted down. It may have some funny intermittant vibration problems.

I'd say to modify the Y-pipe before you modify the crossmember.

 

The one I am talking about is bolted to the back of that one. It is an x that is about 12-18 inches long and prevents me from connecting to the driver side header. Can i remove this permanently without causing problems?

 

I don't have anything like that on mine so I don't think I can be much help. Sorry. The closest thing I have to that is a wavy, almost cosmetic looking crossmember beneath where the Y-pipe hooks to the cat back portion of the exhaust. It could be for additional body rigidity. Who knows? If you could get a picture of it, maybe somebody can be more helpful.

 

That piece is unique to the convertible - I'm surprised you don't have one on your car, 2002z28ssconv. Did you buy the car new?

I know folks have removed them, and I removed mine. I have a torque arm that has a beefy cross-member that spans across two of the four points of that "X", so I was less worried about removing it. But if you're not putting anything in its place, I don't know....

Dave

 

I bought it brand new 4 months ago. IFrom what I could tell, I just have 2 seperate crossmembers. Maybe it's an LS1 thing.

 

Interesting. Sounds like the same setup as the hard tops, maybe GM decided the extra bracing under the convertible wasn't needed. I wonder what other changes are under there - I just assumed they were the same across the years.

Andy, I wonder if there's a chance you could use this brace?

Dave

 

Guys thanks for the help. The only part that is in the way is the front driver side of the x. Could i just cut that off? I also have a drive shaft safety loop thats bolts in the same place as your torque arm. I have to go to the store for some batteries for my digital camera. Then i can put some pics up.

Andy