I've done virtually anything on my cars, but never dealt with the exhaust because both of my cars came with catbacks already installed. Now I want to replace the existing Flowmaster American Thunder II on my '93 with a new Magnaflow that I bought just a few days ago and was wondering if I'll have to cut the old catback or do they come appart without cutting?
Thanks.

 

I've got american thunder on my B4C - should unbolt right behind the cat, shouldn't need to cut anything. Take a look under the car right behind the cat. Unless someone did some custom work and welded it directly onto the cat.

 

Oh yes, it sure does unbolt right after the cat. It's actually holding in one bolt right now after my engine swap.
So if I unbolt it there, can I just take it out without cutting anything?
I've read a few posts where people were suggesting a couple of cuts, before and after the axle....

 

Well, mine is up on jacks right now and it looks to me like i'd probably be able to pull it out without making any cuts (no jacks on the rear axle so it's hanging down giving me more clearance where the pipe goes up and over it). I haven't actually tried removing it before so maybe someone can tell you for sure whether or not this is possible. But with all the room i have with the car jacked up right now it appears to me as though it would be possible to pull it out the back with some obvious twisting and turning having to be done to get it out. It would need to be jacked up pretty high becuase you would need to remove it at a downward angle. If this doesn't work then yes you'd definitely need to make a cut right in front of the axle i guess. Maybe someone who has actually tried removing it without doing any cuts can comment?

 

Ok, upon further inspection i'm now thinking you will need to cut before the axle or drop the axle.

 

Yes, if the whole pipe is one piece until the muffler, you will need to cut it. Just cut right in front of the axle, and the two parts should come out.

But if you have it on a lift, it is possible to do it without cutting, I think. The magnaflw comes in pieces, so it is real easy to put on. I have it and love it. Good luck.

 

No lift and no electricity. It will be a pain...

What is it that you don't like about the Magnaflow?

 

What? I said I love mine? please clarify what you mean

 

Oops... sorry. For some reason, I read "i hate it and I love it". I must've not had enough sleep today.

 

Oh, I see. Let me know if you have any other questions about the install. I am no mechanic, but I did install my magnaflow. Good luck getting the sumbitch to line up with the rear of the car.

 

I didn't take it out of the box yet, but is there some special procedure?

 

Well, not really. It is just hard to get the pipes to line up straight coming out the back. The whole exhaust clamps together, so my only advice it to aim the clamps up as much as possible, so if you ever have to remove it, the bolts might be in a little better shape.

Oh, what else....I ended up beating the hell out of the passenger side hanger so the exhaust would line up right. And my pipes come out of the exhaust a little crooked compared to each other, but that made them line up in the back. It is really just a lot of trial and error getting everything positioned right. I would say that I spent about 2.5 hours installing mine, after I got the stock exhaust off. I spent about 3 hours on that, because I really didn't want to cut the pipe, but when I did I ended up using a hax saw blade and it took forever.

 

I cut mine right behind the axle. Came right out.