I wanted to start a new thread regarding the relative ease of installing a cat-back s/s exhaust. Well, it's easy when you have others to lend a hand... and lend you space in their shop [|)].
Let's start with the system itself:
This is the MagnaFlow system. Came with OEM-style hookups and stainless clamps. For some reason the 4 clamp bolts were zinc (?!!) so I replaced them with s/s nuts and locking washers.
After raising the car onto four jack stands, Paul uses some WD40 and brute force on the nicely rusted band clamp. A 9/16 deep well socket with some leverage works well. Clamp is spotwelded to pipe so it doesn't come off at all. Notice how spotless the underside is. Don't know why, I never pay it any attention.
There's a second band clamp at the axle. Remove the rear wheel. It's probably easier to torch the pipe but we didn't. Once the clamps are both loose, hit the connections with WD40 and start twisting and hammering the pipe. It will break free. There's a ground strap on the stock muffler. Remove it as well as the 3 chassis rubber mounting gromets. Don't ruin these since they'll be used again.
Day and night difference [?] Here Bill and Paul stop to laugh at me while I take yet another picture for ptcruiserlinks forum readers.
Install is a matter of using antiseize in the pipe joints and re-hanging on factory gromets. A little pounding with a plastic hammer is useful to align system. We did find it necessary to significantly bend the rear-most mounting bracket to make the 4" tip center properly. No big deal.
NICE!! And not too obnoxious thanks to the resonator.