Installing cat-back myself, would using ramps be enough? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

plan-b · 07-07-2011, 12:40 AM

I'm very likely picking up a Corsa cat-back as soon as they release their convertible specific system (I emailed them and they're testing it now). I've done installs before on my Corvette and Porsche just by backing up onto a set of Rhino Ramps but the Vette was just an axle-back and well... the 911 is rear engine.

For those who've done cat-back installs themselves, do you think it's realistic that I'd have enough reach to the front if I backed up onto a set of ramps? I'm 5'8" and 150lbs so it's not like I'll be struggling to squeeze under the car. I'm just not sure if I'd be able to reach far enough forward to unbolt the factory pipes from the cats and then bolt up the new ones. (That and be able to have enough leverage to properly tighten up the clamps.)

Note: I'm not doing an axle-back because I'm super type-A about not cutting anything and being able to restore it back to stock condition if needed.

BubbaSS · 07-07-2011, 01:00 AM

I've read a few posts where people have used ramps to install cat backs...I'm sure someone will chime in whose done it, but it's been done.

Juiced1 · 07-07-2011, 01:19 AM

The higher you can get it the better. A jack and some jack stands are a good safe investment.

TRC-SS · 07-07-2011, 03:28 AM

Ive had to adjust my exhaust a few times just using ramps, Youll be fine, plenty of room in the back, but the fronts by the cats will be tight but you can reach it ok. Like others said, get it as high as possible while being safe!!...Good luck.

JHL88 · 07-07-2011, 03:42 AM

you'll be good. i did mine with a friend on some rhino ramps, not bad at all. hardest part was pulling the old one out. i highly recommend getting someone to help you though if you're not using a lift

Dynomax Exhaust · 07-07-2011, 01:43 PM

Soak the hangers and bolts real good to help lessen the cursing.

WiccaJew · 07-07-2011, 01:52 PM

I installed two sets of headers and an exhaust using just ramps. Takes a little longer but it can be done. (It also helps if you have friends or someone who owes you a favor)

gahammerle · 07-07-2011, 01:56 PM

I did mine with the rear wheels on ramps by myself.

The only issue I had was the next couple of days my back was real sore from scooching in & out from under the car on the concrete driveway.

ToddB · 07-07-2011, 02:29 PM

I put on the corsa exhaust for the 6 speed manual trans on my convertible with jack stands everthing fit fine. If yours is a manual you can order now they fit fine.Look in the covertible forum.

nancygrl · 07-07-2011, 02:48 PM

Drive the rear on the ramps, but I do suggest to get the front up on jack-stands as well. I just did my catback yesterday. While you can probably do it without jacking up the front, it's a whole lot better and easier with the entire car up, and a lot less swearing

gr8whitebuff · 07-07-2011, 03:01 PM

Lol me and a buddy did a corsa cat back on my 2ss and I'm bout 190lbs more like 200 my fat ass had a hard time getting the bolts by the cats off so sent my 155 pound buddy under there and he was able 2 unbolt and re bolt new exhaust and it's heavy as shit so haveing a friend 2 help is a plus took bout 3 hrs a 12 pack and a pizza but corsa is the way 2 go in my oppion sounds great good luck

Mr. Notorious · 07-07-2011, 09:57 PM

It's doable, I did mine up on blocks. Just having ramps in the rear will be tricky to get the old exhaust out. I wouldn't try it by yourself, having another set of hands really helped protect the rear fascia when pulling it out in one piece...

BWood · 07-07-2011, 10:29 PM

I did mine with one set of ramps in the rear. To get to the bolts up front (cats) I had to loosen them from the side of the car 'cause there was no way I was gonna reach them from underneath. Little harder than getting the front end in the air as well but yes, completely doable.

plan-b · 07-07-2011, 11:15 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I'll go and steal... I mean borrow, my brother's jack stands for a weekend.

07-07-2011, 12:40 AM	#1
plan-b No Compromise Drives: '04 996 C4S, '11 2SS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SFBA, California Posts: 199	Installing cat-back myself, would using ramps be enough? I'm very likely picking up a Corsa cat-back as soon as they release their convertible specific system (I emailed them and they're testing it now). I've done installs before on my Corvette and Porsche just by backing up onto a set of Rhino Ramps but the Vette was just an axle-back and well... the 911 is rear engine. For those who've done cat-back installs themselves, do you think it's realistic that I'd have enough reach to the front if I backed up onto a set of ramps? I'm 5'8" and 150lbs so it's not like I'll be struggling to squeeze under the car. I'm just not sure if I'd be able to reach far enough forward to unbolt the factory pipes from the cats and then bolt up the new ones. (That and be able to have enough leverage to properly tighten up the clamps.) Note: I'm not doing an axle-back because I'm super type-A about not cutting anything and being able to restore it back to stock condition if needed.

07-07-2011, 01:00 AM	#2
BubbaSS WHAT RED LIGHT?! Drives: 2011 Black Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,115	I've read a few posts where people have used ramps to install cat backs...I'm sure someone will chime in whose done it, but it's been done. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS M6 BLACK - VARARAM NO TUNE INTAKE, MODDED AND PORTED TB, PORTED INTAKE MANIFOLD, VITESSE THROTTLE CONTROLLER, DOUG THORLEY LT'S, CATLESS, X-PIPE, 25" STAINLESS WORKS RETRO CHAMBERED MUFFLERS, CUSTOM 2.5" MANDREL BENT EXHAUST, RICHMOND 4.10 GEARS, CUSTOM CAM (231/242 @ 114LSA), MUSTANG DYNO TUNED BY TORQ, 20% CERAMIC TINTS, EIBACH PROKIT SPRINGS 1" DROP, HAWK PERFORMANCE CERAMIC BRAKES, NITTO INVO TIRES, HYDROCARBON TAIL LIGHT AND FOG LIGHT BEZELS BY EMBLEMPROS, METRA DASH KIT, JVC KW-AV71BT, PHOENIX GOLD iAMP GM1, PASSPORT QI45 - 450 RWHP 415 RWTQ

07-07-2011, 03:28 AM	#4
TRC-SS 700RWHP-650TQ Drives: 2011 Forged LS3 Supercharged/Cammed Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shrewsbury Massachusetts Posts: 5,269 View My Garage	Ive had to adjust my exhaust a few times just using ramps, Youll be fine, plenty of room in the back, but the fronts by the cats will be tight but you can reach it ok. Like others said, get it as high as possible while being safe!!...Good luck. __________________ View Build HERE>>>>>MY 2011 2SS/RS JOURNAL

07-07-2011, 03:42 AM	#5
JHL88 Drives: 02 z06 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Virginia/south carolina Posts: 416	you'll be good. i did mine with a friend on some rhino ramps, not bad at all. hardest part was pulling the old one out. i highly recommend getting someone to help you though if you're not using a lift __________________ 1997 RS wrecked 1998 Z28 sold 10 SS sold 2002 torch redc5z06 - sold :( '13 z71 4x4 - DD www.fquick.com/JHL88

07-07-2011, 01:52 PM	#7
WiccaJew Drives: Black & Blue 1SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Back In The Desert Posts: 1,257 View My Garage	I installed two sets of headers and an exhaust using just ramps. Takes a little longer but it can be done. (It also helps if you have friends or someone who owes you a favor) __________________ ARH 1 7/8 headers, ARH 3" XPIPE, MBRP 3" Catback

07-07-2011, 01:19 AM	#3
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,648	The higher you can get it the better. A jack and some jack stands are a good safe investment.

07-07-2011, 01:43 PM	#6
Dynomax Exhaust Drives: Camaro Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MI Posts: 233	Soak the hangers and bolts real good to help lessen the cursing.

07-07-2011, 01:56 PM	#8
gahammerle Drives: 2010 Camaro LS M6 Inferno Orange Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lebanon, OH Posts: 1,673	I did mine with the rear wheels on ramps by myself. The only issue I had was the next couple of days my back was real sore from scooching in & out from under the car on the concrete driveway. __________________ Gordy Injen CAI / Solo Mach-X LLT / Solo High-flow res-cats / Barton short shifter / RX Catch Can / RPI Gills / 35% tint / LED Footwell Lighting Front & Rear / Pedders Street 1 / Pedders steering rack bushing / SS struts / Pfadt drop springs / VMax Ported Throttle Body / Spohn Toe Rods / Spohn Trailing Arms / Trifecta Tune / MACE 25mm Intake Spacers Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gahammerle

07-07-2011, 02:29 PM	#9
ToddB Drives: 2011 2SS Convertible Supercharged Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: WI Cert Welder Navy NSSN Posts: 1,157	I put on the corsa exhaust for the 6 speed manual trans on my convertible with jack stands everthing fit fine. If yours is a manual you can order now they fit fine.Look in the covertible forum.

07-07-2011, 02:48 PM	#10
nancygrl 雪の玉 Drives: '22 Z71 RST Silverado Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Posts: 3,415	Drive the rear on the ramps, but I do suggest to get the front up on jack-stands as well. I just did my catback yesterday. While you can probably do it without jacking up the front, it's a whole lot better and easier with the entire car up, and a lot less swearing

07-07-2011, 03:01 PM	#11
gr8whitebuff Drives: 2010 camaro 2ss Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 133	Lol me and a buddy did a corsa cat back on my 2ss and I'm bout 190lbs more like 200 my fat ass had a hard time getting the bolts by the cats off so sent my 155 pound buddy under there and he was able 2 unbolt and re bolt new exhaust and it's heavy as shit so haveing a friend 2 help is a plus took bout 3 hrs a 12 pack and a pizza but corsa is the way 2 go in my oppion sounds great good luck

07-07-2011, 09:57 PM	#12
Mr. Notorious Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Summit White :) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Posts: 60	It's doable, I did mine up on blocks. Just having ramps in the rear will be tricky to get the old exhaust out. I wouldn't try it by yourself, having another set of hands really helped protect the rear fascia when pulling it out in one piece...

07-07-2011, 10:29 PM	#13
BWood Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Valencia, Ca. Posts: 141	I did mine with one set of ramps in the rear. To get to the bolts up front (cats) I had to loosen them from the side of the car 'cause there was no way I was gonna reach them from underneath. Little harder than getting the front end in the air as well but yes, completely doable.

07-07-2011, 11:15 PM	#14
plan-b No Compromise Drives: '04 996 C4S, '11 2SS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SFBA, California Posts: 199	Thanks for all the feedback. I think I'll go and steal... I mean borrow, my brother's jack stands for a weekend.

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