Any tips on how to remove a stock 97 dual cat y-pipe? I've removed both exhuast manifolds. The piece from the drivers side manifold to the passenger side cat pipe was not a problem. Removing the piece that goes from the pass side manifold to the cat-back is not going too well. I've sprayed it with Kroil and tried to twist it, and have also heated it with a torch. I could sawzall it at the joint but would really like to keep the stock pipe in case I ever want to go back to the stock configuration.


Thanks

 

I used a long breaker bar to break the nuts loose.

 

Lots of extensions.....long ones......

 

I already have all the bolts and nuts removed.......it's the joint where the y-pipe meets the catback pipe; right at the midsection of the car. I already have the exaust clamp removed from the joint too. Just can't seem to get it to come apart.....

 

Oh, I see what you are saying. I had the same problem because there was no room to pull the y-pipe forward and out. This is what I did. I know you didn't want to do it.
http://www.97ta.com/flp/FLP022.jpg

Edit-You can always take that to a shop and have them weld it up for cheap.

 

if you're replacing the catback, just cut it (angle grinder) on the cat back end of that joint and worry about getting the leftover pipe out once you have it all off the car
returning it back to stock would still be ez it would just take some welding
thats what i would do

Steve

EDIT: n/m i see you're replacing the y-pipe and keeping the stock catback, hmmm only thing i can say is you wont have too much reasoning to go back to stock over the RT y-pipe! cut that thing

 

Just for the record.....I took a hack saw to mine It sucked a whole lotta a$$.

 

I removed the brace that goes across the back of the car to let the pipe hang down, then ended up beating the crap out of the y pipe with the back of an axe till it finally popped loose. I tried cutting the pipe, but it actually ate the teeth off of two sawzaw metal cutting blades.

 

Sounds like the sawzall is the way to go. I'll get a couple extra blades just in case.