Ok, ive read thru 8 pages and its about 50/50 on whether I need to drop the Y-pipe or not. Can anybody tell me for sure whether I need to drop it or not? Mine is a 94 Z/LT1 with the 6 speed. Also thinking about going with a Summit mini starter. Any pros or cons there? All help is appreciated.

 

Headers?

 

No bone stock exhaust

 

I think you may be able to wrestle it out of there. Have you been under the car to look yet? If you need to remove y pipe, soak the bolts good the night before. They can be difficult.

 

yeah I looked at it. Not happy about it but got to do it. Hope it comes out without having to drop the pipe.Im sure the exhaust bolts will snap off.

 

not sure if you have already done it or not, but you dont have to touch the exhaust. the starter will come out. It may take alittle patience, but it will come out. I replaced mine with a powermaster when the starter went out on my old lt1

 

Yep did it today. 15 minutes start to finish. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TOUCH THE EXHAUST TO REPLACE THE STARTER.

 

I have a 1993 Z28 automatic and am trying to change out the starter. Right now the starter is all unbolted and the wires have been disconnected so its just sitting loose. I CANNOT figure out how to get it out. The exhaust pipes are in the way and it looks like i have two metal pipes (transmission lines?) blocking the way also. Everything is completely stock. I have tried unbolting the metal holder for the pipes and it has allowed them to move a little more but not much. I really don't want to lower the y pipe as all the bolts are very rusted and it looks like they will break. I have tried turning it backwards and then vertical so that the gear end faces up as others have said and it still won't come out.

 

Mine is a 6 speed so im not sure what the difference is there?? As far as the trans lines they are very easy to disconnect from the radiator. I would suggest that and you should be able to move those around enough to get them out of the way. My plan if the starter wouldnt could out was to put a flat spot on the exhaust pipe to allow a touch more clearance. If that didnt work my plan was to cut a section out of the exhaust pipe and weld it back in when I was done. Much easier that dropping the Y pipe.

 

Would I have to drain the coolant first before disconnecting the lines from the radiator?

 

No. But you will lose some tranny fluid. I don't think disconnecting is going to help you much. If they are in the way you can pull the clamp and bend them a little. Usually the y-pipe is the show stopper.

 

Get a map gas torch at home depot. It's not hot enough to melt most stuff on a car but is good to get rusted or frozen bolts and nuts off. Fire is your best friend when working on older cars.

 

Looks like you've already done it.

IIRC, the only time you need to touch the exhaust when replacing the starter is if you have a auto car with stock exhaust.

I didn't have to do anything to my exhaust when changing the starter on my '97 Z28 M6 with bone stock exhaust.