LS3 Factory Exhaust Removal

[ITGuy11]

When I was under the car installing my Kooks long tubes I was looking at how the stock exhaust system is mounted. It looks like the hangers above the mufflers are in a very tight spot and not easily accessible. Are there any tricks to removing the rubber isolators/hangers while keeping the stock setup intact?

[mikey8]

If you are looking to just remove the rubber hangers... Spray with WD-40. They'll pop right off.

[LS3 SS]

Just removed my complete factory exhaust system today. The Hangers are accessible, either spray them with WD40 or use VERY Soapy water (slightly more soap than water solution) and they will slide right off. But it will be easier if you drop the exhaust from the Cats first, and then try to remove the hangers.

[v6sonoma]

I used a pair of channel lock pliers to push them out. It's tight and I had the plastic bottom piece half off but it's not to bad.

[WheelmanSS]

Originally Posted by ITGuy11

When I was under the car installing my Kooks long tubes I was looking at how the stock exhaust system is mounted. It looks like the hangers above the mufflers are in a very tight spot and not easily accessible. Are there any tricks to removing the rubber isolators/hangers while keeping the stock setup intact?

WD40 is a good idea. Let them soak for about 20 minutes, then start the fun ol' pull-push method. It helps if you have a couple friends pulling from the front or back so that when you pull the exhaust from the fascia, you don't damage it.

[MarylandSpeed]

It's worse ona ground effects car..haha.

[Beyond Limits]

Originally Posted by mikey8

If you are looking to just remove the rubber hangers... Spray with WD-40. They'll pop right off.

Instead of WD-40 get a spray bottle and fill it with water and some dish soap. Spray around where the pin goes through the rubber bracket. It will slide off nice and easy. Just spray some more to get it back on. But it will dry and it will not leave a slick oily residue behind like d-40 will.

Also, unbolt the lower valence and gently pull down on the clips along the sides of the valence (be careful because they are plastic). You are not taking the whole rear valance off, but just giving yourself some more room to work.

Once you get into it you will realize it is a lot easier to deal with then you think it is. Just make sure you either have someone to help you, or a spare floor jack or stand to hold up the exhaust can on one side while you remove the other. It is not the lightest thing in the world (certainly manageable by yourself), however if you let the exhaust rest on the rear valance there is a very good chance it will damage the urethane bumper.

Check out Borla's site. You can download the install instructions for their cat-back system and it contains some really well written instructions with pictures on how to remove your stock exhaust.