Muffler instalation? is it difficult?

[Jornum1]

Ok I have a post below about a dual exhaust, obviously I cant do that myself, but due to the amount of money I spent on my new modifications, I wont be able to put a whole new cat back for a month or so at least. Gotta pay those bills I want to put the muffler on though. I guess what I am asking is. About how much does it cost to have just the muffler replaced usually? Just instalation? And I am an experienced welder, is it possible for me to do it myself? How would I go about it. I would really like to save the money if I can do it myself. Like I said, I am experienced, welding is part of my job, but I have never tried anything with a exhaust. Does anyone have any advice, or precautions? Thanks alot
Jason

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'99 Sport SOHC Auto
K&N filter, Air box mod
Bosch 4+'s, Lowered, Eldebrock shocks

 

[Cameron]

You just need to be sure the muffler will fit in the space your old muffler occupied. Second, crawl under your truck and take a look at how the whole thing goes together. Does it look like something you can do? That is, does your existing tail pipe meet up perfectly with the new muffler out? If not, you may need to do some bending. Of course you can get around bending pipe if you use flexible tubing. (and I recommend you don’t) If you answer yes, get ta installing. If not, cut a check. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it is difficult for someone to tell you if it is a do it yourselfer or not. It all depends on your skill level and/or your willingness to deal with it or push it off to someone else to do. Dead Link Removed

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Rock'n 97 Sport 4X4

 

[Nonoy]

I have a 1997 4 door. I paid $80 to install a Flowmaster muffler. I had a chance to watch how they installed the muffler and this is the way they did it. With a Zalsaw(spelling?) they cut the existing muffler on both side. Inserted the brackets on the pipes. Then the new muffler. A little bit of adjusting and cutting again. Tightened the clamps, voila!

It looks easy. "I could have done it myself".

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NY State of Mind

 

[Jornum1]

So they didnt weld it, just used bracket? Is that the way its usually done? I dont know if I like that Idea. does anyone else know if there aftermarket exhaust was welded or just bracketed on? Please let me know.
Jason

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'99 Sport SOHC Auto
K&N filter, Air box mod
Bosch 4+'s, Lowered, Eldebrock shocks

 

[Cameron]

It should be welded on.

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Rock'n 97 Sport 4X4

 

[Explorerdude]

I have a 94 XLT that I installed a flowmaster Cat-Back system on... Personally I thought it was a pain in the ass. The mufflers inlet and outlet pipes (From flowmaster) didn't match up with the piping suplied by flowmaster and we had to do some minor heating and spreading of the pipes to get them to fit. We also had to cut the outlet pipe down a little cause it was too long. Then the damn hanger wasn't in the right place... so we had to jerry rig something to get it to stay up.

After all that trouble I ended up paying 40 bucks to some guy down at the muffler shop to weld it up. So what I guess I'm trying to say is.. Pay the money first to have someone else install it. I advise not to take it to one of those speedy muffler shops like Midias. I had a hard time with them. I ended up having to pay some guy there under the table cause his boss didn't want him to do it since I didn't buy it from him... I've had it on there for about a month now and haven't had any problems. As far as knowing if it was welded up goes...

I have looked at it several times and it looks as though the pipes were just crimped very tightly to the muffler and possibly spot welded on there. I remember the guy saying that he welded it up and put clamps on just in case. I don't know what a MIG weld looks like. But as far as any obvious weld markings I didn't notice any, accept on the hanger he welded on the muffler. Generally muffler and pipe shops weld up mufflers with a MIG welder or clamp them. Clamping works pretty good for a while but you'll get exahust leaks and clamps have a problem of coming loose after being heated and cooled often, even if you use a product like lock-tight. Welding works real well and if you do it right the first time, it won't leak at all.


Bottom line get the job done right and you'll be a lot happier with it later. The guys at the muffler shops have the proper tools to spread the pipe and install the mufflers correctly. Some have MIG welders to weld them up. If I had it to do over again I'd of had the speed shop where I bought the Cat-Back from install it and weld it up. Hope this helps.

Happy Wheelin',

Joe Dead Link Removed
94 Explorer XLT
4" Suspension Lift
33X10.50 BFG AT KO's
KKM Tru-Rev Intake
Flowmaster II Muffler
Boshe Platinum +4 Plugs
Premium Plug Wires
Warn Manual Locking Hubs

 

[Jornum1]

Thanks Joe, I think I am going to take a look at it when it comes today, and see what it looks like. I am getting the whole cat back, its used. Its to a'98 four door. only 4 months old. I want to see if it will fit, maybe with some minor bending, or repositioning of the hangers. I will see. I really have to check it out before I decide whether I can do it myself or not. If theres one thing Im not its a half asser. I dont like to guess, and rig things up. I have had some bad experiences with it. If I dont think I can do a quality job myslef, I will definetly take it to a shop. Places I have called just sseem to want alot of money, I suppose mainly because I didnt buy the exhaust from them. It just doesnt seem fair to pay as much for the instalation as I did for the whole cat back! My friend got his installed on his ZX2 for 30 bucks from the place he bought it. I called and asked, then quoted me 100 to install it. Thats jus thte muffler! I only paid 150 for the whole cat back! Oh well I just might have to suck it up and pay the money if I cant do it myslef. I will keep calling places to see if I can find anything cheeper. But thanks alot. I will let everyone know how it works out
Jason

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'99 Sport SOHC Auto
K&N filter, Air box mod
Bosch 4+'s, Lowered, Eldebrock shocks