exhaust clearance
 

I have a 2011 SS that I have a hybrid Stainless Works exhaust on. I'm having clearance issues where the pipes come together where the bolt in cross brace bolts in the center of the car. Is this cross brace that necessary as when I leave it out the rattling goes away. I'm thinking I know what guys are going to say but just looking for opinions.

Doesn't it hold up the tail of the trans ?

If you're talking about that flat brace under the car that goes from one side to the other and is held on by 4 bolts just leave it off. I have a Kooks exhaust and was told to leave it off and have had no issues. If you want a brace in that location BMR makes a brace that steps down a little bit to clear aftermarket exhausts.

Or you could just buy some washers and shim the factory brace down....

That is the easiest and cheapest method. Quite a few people have done that.

The BMR cross brace is around $50, so it's not very expensive either.

I think the brace is there in case of a side impact so you might want to keep it.

Use washers or buy a brace that has extra clearance for 3” pipes. If you have a 2.5” catback then you shouldn’t need washers or a new brace

Yeah personally I won't run without it, but at the same time...it's so dang puny.

I originally had mine shimmed with flat washers to clear my 3" exhaust but then bought the BMR brace to replace it and it looks really nice up under there.

I installed an mbrp 3" cat back and it came with a plate that was a step down for clearance

I just shoved a chunk of heavy rubber in there. Cut up an old sanding block.

I have ARH long tubes and 3" cat back and mine cleared no problem. If it's hitting, loosen the flange bolts of the exhaust, push up on the exhaust and re-tighten. There's plenty of room for a 3" exhaust to fit.

pretty sure my stainless works exhaust came with thick washers to solve this problem, it was part of the kit.