Stainless Works cat-back Issue
 

I am wondering if anyone else had a hell of a time installing their car back? took me 40min to get the front half done up to the tailpipe section and another 3.5 hrs trying to get the tips from either being crooked or jammed into the bumper. This also included taking the system completely apart and starting over as if I missed something. Id like to say im pretty mechanically inclined and have installed many exhaust systems over the years but this has by far been a major disappointment. Looking at how severely I had to bend the hangers at the tips to get them to even fit I think the wrong hangers were welded on.

Am I missing something here?

[IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/006_zps7d98a2c2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/004_zps3a0f4e71.jpg[/IMG]

No feedback, No one has installed these yet on their car? I just want to make sure im not a Re-Re and doing something wrong.

Did you buy that brand new? My stainless works cat back has the hangers welded to the clamps not the pipes....however, the first cat back took me abiut 3 hours including removal of the old system and the 2nd one took about 2 hours.

It was brand new fresh out of the box. On Monday I plan on calling them to find out WTF is going on. I have to cut their hangers off an re-weld my own till I get the issue resolved. If I don't the exhaust falls out of the hangers due to the angle. All I really need is the tip section everything else is perfect. I have a feeling the hangers are in place to fit an SS not a ZL1.

That could be the problem. Didnt realize you have a ZL1. Still strange though, noticed the tips on yours are welded on also. All the Stainless Works systems I've seen had clamp on tips. Which cat back is it out of curiosity?

It is the CA12CB. Even in the picture the hangers look longer for the tips.

http://www.stainlessworks.net/2012-1...y-connect.html

The hangers look like they were cut and shortened (weld right at the pipe tangent).

the second picture is from me cutting and welding to get it to not jam into my bumper.
It was either that or I drive home with one side of the exhaust hung.

Were you able to get in touch with SW for a solution? Curious to see what the problem was.

Yup they told me the measurement they have is approx. 2 3/4" from pipe to hanger bend and was told he was sending a picture to me to show where to measure at. I hope it comes here cause the guy has no other contact for me to send a picture to. It just seemed rushed on the phone, I don't know if it was panic or what. Measurements aside still didn't fit right and to come close fitting the pass. side axle pipe would have been pressed up on the differential. My solution was hack up my $1100 exhaust system and put my own hangers in. Not happy but what can I do at this point?

Sorry to hear this. Definitely keep us posted. I am looking at this same exhaust for my Z as well.

The retro catback is awesome. However it does take alot of adjusting to get it to fit perect. I had to bang some pipes togethers all the way in and some more loosely to get the lenght correct. Once you get it perfect make sure to tack weld the crap out of it so it doesnt move!

We have done the install here as well as having other systems out there with no issues. Not saying something couldn't have been wrong. But the hangers on the CA12CB are welded on to the rear portion of the kit. The rear mufflers and tips are all one piece on this kit. From the Top of the tube to the hanger should be 2-3/4" as shown in the pictures below.

http://stainlessworks.net/media/imag...12-hanger1.JPG


Hate to hear you had to hack up the system but glad it is fitting now.

In the future and for anyone that happens to be reading this.

If you buy any aftermarket part that is supposed to be a "bolt on" and it doesn't fit, please call the manufacturer before you modify it yourself. This goes for Stainless Works and any other company as well. Often, we know a trick or two that will help you get it installed. BUT, if you make changes, it is very hard for us to get the system back to where it is supposed to be. Sometimes, you making modifications can even void the warranty but that is approached on a case by case basis. PLEASE CALL THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE MAKING MODIFICATIONS IF THERE ARE ISSUES.

Thanks, Chris
Chris@Stainlessworks.net
800-878-3635 EXT 258

I would have called but it was 9pm on a Friday night no answer on sat. I didn't have a choice other than drive home with no exhaust on the car. I know it is not practical but I wish the aftermarket companies would not weld the hangers on the pipes and let the end user do that. I have had multiple issues with magnaflow over the years with their systems especially on the C6 vettes. If the hangers were not welded the install time would have been in half. When we bend custom exhaust we never run into these issues. Sadly its never a 1 size fits all.

Other than the fitment issues the exhaust sounds awesome and im still happy with the purchase. If there is anything you can do to help me out on this Chris it would be appreciated maybe axle back with no hangers welded on!? lol