Can someone give me some insight on how to remove the stock cat and install an MBRP cat test pipe. This exercise is for testing purposes naturally.

I've removed each clamp on the front and back of the cat, but can't get the cat and the pipe to budge. I noticed that on each end of the cat pipe that it appears to have about a three inch long swell and then it tapers down.

If the swell tapers down on each end how in the world can the cat be slid off? I really want to remove the cat w/o damaging anything, including the pipe.

How in the heck will the cat come off when there are swells on each end that taper down? Do I need to pull the cat and the pipe towards the back, or to the front?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Man, this is frustrating

By the way, Larry did a fantastic job of getting the MBRP pipe to me ultra fast at a darn good price!

 

Most folks just resort to a sawzall because of the crimps in the pipe from the factory clamps. Unfortunately, that usually spells the end of the reusable cat.

 

i had to use two torches and three people with hammers also took cross member off and losened intire exaust system from cat back.this is a hard thing to do because the stock clamps crimp the pipes. MY ADVISE IS CUT IT OFF!

 

Lary got me mine fast and cheap too. I basically wrapped my arms around it and braced my feet and twisted it while using my legs. It popped off after a little wrestling. You may need a good torch with a rosebud tip.

 

Sounds like the Milwaukee sawzall is going to be broken out soon.

 

yep, i have to trim mine. and then perform surgery at the muffler inlet end to get the test pipe installed.

 

Mine was cut clean about 3" or 4" either side of the cat and new pipe welded in. If needed I can always cut out a section and weld it back in.

 

Just so I understand. If I do get the cat and the pipe removed, will the MBRP direct bolt in the place of where the cat was at? Am I going to have to trim the cat test pipe also?

 

It should go right in. The only time I had to trim anything was on the MBRP muffler. The test pipe fit great.

 

Good deal. I thought the gentleman above was stating that I would have to trim the MBRP cat test pipe also

 

No he was talking about cutting out the cat. Not trimming the pipe. You should be good. Let us know how it goes.

 

i did not have to trim the test pipe

 

I've installed many things and have fabbed up many things, but I never knew that I could curse in so many different languages. I WILL NEVER WORK ON ANY SORT OF EXHAUST SYSTEM EVER AGAIN.

What a flipping nightmare. The pipes that I thought were just barely crimped were basically welded on to the stock setup. After many hammer blows, cut up hands, cut off grinder spark flying attempts I finally got the two pipes on each side of the cat out of there.

The front portion wasn't as bad as the rear to get out, but the rear was a friggin nightmare. I wound up using my cut off grinder and cutting a seam all the way to the back of the pipe where it slid in and getting it off. I have an opening that was never sealed back up because I couldn't get everything to fit back together right.

I will head to the exhaust shop tomorrow and have a guy I know fix the last little bit that needs fixing. I wouldn't recommend anyone doing this themselves. If I had to do it over again, I'd head to the exhaust shop and have 'em chop the cat off and weld a pipe in its' place.

My hands are cut up and I'm grouchy.

 

I had to do the same thing to the muffler... I cut several length wise cuts in the muffler (expanded portion of the pipe) and almost peeled it like a banana. then spent a couple of hours re-rounding and welding up the cuts on the muffler in case I ever wanted to use it again..

My friend pulled his cat off and didn't want to destroy it so he pulled the entire exhaust off the truck.. heated the stuff up to almost melting with a big rose bud tip and pulled it apart with a fork lift (spreading the forks (and yes he is a city hillbilly))..

Only thing I can Strongly recommend is to use band clamps when you reinstall.. I went to a local truck exhaust place and bought the stepped ones that fit each side properly.. held it tight and when I pulled it back off everything came off nice..

Gerry

 

Update..... got the test pipe properly installed now.

Truck is definitely more responsive and there is no difference in sound. Glad I got 'er done!