Bolt in my @$%

[Al Betz]

Tony and I just finished installing a Magnaflow X-Pipe and Z06 mufflers on the '99.

We learned a lot of new things about jacking up a C5 high enough to get the mufflers out and the new ones in.

I was disappointed with the quality of the fit of the Magnaflow
X-Pipe. After a lot of hammering, a trip to Home Depot to buy three new drill bits, more hammering, bending pushing, $&^*%, and praying we finnally got it in. This should have been a 3 hour job; it took 5.5 including the trip to Home Depot.

Oh yeah, the bolt in means that you cannot use your OEM bolts from the X-Pipe to the mufflers even though the instruction say to use them. We had to drill out the flanges on the Z06 mufflers to accept the new bolts for the X-Pipe. Ever try to drill through Titanium? It ain't pretty. Bolt in also means that the X-Pipe does not line up with the stock pipes so you have to beat it hard with a hammer and 2x4 to bend it enough so that you can mate the pipes.

It's in, I'm happy and looking forward to see if it makes any difference. The sound is a bit different and definitely quieter in the cockpit than stock. Outside seems about the same, but I haven't done any WOT running yet.

Tony took a few pictures before we started hitting everthing with hammers maybe he'll post them.

[Tony B.96LT4]

Here's a couple of the Pics:
As Al said the C5 has to be jacked up high, real high! Then the sway bar is unbolted from the carrier and swung out of the way.

[Tony B.96LT4]

The mufflers are unbolted.

[Tony B.96LT4]

Removal the the right side gas tank shield gives enough room to pull the right hand muffler assembly.

[Tony B.96LT4]

The mufflers are out. We had to cut the original pipes close to the O2 sensors and slip(?) the X-pipe onto the shortened pipes. I wasn't impressed by the fit of the Magnaflow, but the Z06 mufflers went in a lot easier than the stock mufflers came out. We took a break after this and went to Home depot to get a drill to enlarge the hole in the Z06 flanges. Although we had a few problems this wasn't a bad job. It wasn't greasy and the underside of Al's car was pretty clean(just some tire rubber:D). All in all a good day!

[YO-EL]

You're right Al..

Bolt on, doesn't necessarily mean "direct fit"...

The more common definition of "bolt on", means:
welding not required....

Sorry you guys had some difficulity, but glad it all worked out!

[Bill Burkholder]

Having gone with after market 'bolt on's' on my Harley I understand the frustration. File, hammer, heat, bend, straighten, twist...... bolt on my a@#!!!

[Al Betz]

Had the C5 out today and everything worked as intended. Runs good and the sound is a little more agressive.

Sorry but Tony and I were both "lets just get this done" at the end and we never took any finished job picture. I'll snap some next time I get the car up. it actually looks pretty good.


Many thanks to Tony for the use of his new garage and his help (it's not a one man job) and to Rose for the moral support and coffee.

It really wasn't that difficult of a job just time consuming becasue of the surprises. The quality of the fit was the biggest problem. The free tool rental from Autozone was great! I would recommend it highly.

[Tony B.96LT4]

;bt

[Richy]

Tony & Al,sounds like you guys had all the fun.All we did was drool at the car show,play in the casino,walk the boards,eat & drink.

[Mike Campbell]

Well, at least you had a nice day and a great garage to cuss in!:D
All we did was dig up a couple tons of dirt & try to fill in some wash out gulleys, which, with this week's rain , most likely end up on York Road. :(

[YO-EL]

Mike,

Since you have the experience, Donna says come over & dig out the pool.. Its already staked out for you....
Call me when you're done.... :D ;)

[REDGAR]

Congrats on the new mods inspite of the frustration level reached doing it:)