Cutting rear bumper for dual exhaust?
09-06-2009, 09:11 AM
#11
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 12
It's done!!!
With the help of a friend and his four post lift, we installed the duals yesterday. Turned out pretty good for two people who've never installed an exhaust system before. I tell you, it's a "butterflies-in-the-stomach" feeling after you saw off the stock exhaust and look at it lying on the ground. Kind of a "My God, what have I done?!" moment. But like Van Morrison sang, "Too late to stop now."
My biggest concern during installation was that after cutting loose the stock exhaust, I noticed that the distance between the x-pipe inlet tubes was about 1/2" narrower than the stock pipes behind the cats. And you can't just bend that stainless x-pipe by hand to make it fit! So, by using an innovative combination of a three ton hydraulic floor jack, some wood blocking, and David and I looking like we were playing a game of Twister; we got the pipes spread enough to go on. I used the Dremel with a rotary bit and cut the bumper using the Pypes template. I didn't realize how much the rotary bit was going to jump around while cutting, so I cut well inside of the template outline. I then put a sanding drum bit in the dremel and slowly worked it out to the template line. It turned out alright and when the car is on the ground, you can't tell any difference from the passenger side outlet. I plan to get a GT bumper some day, so this will do for now.
On the road, I noticed a couple of differences in exhaust note. There is a noticable difference in sound under acceleration and there is a slight drone between 1500 and 1700 rpm's, but not bad. The most noticable thing I found was that at interstate speeds (75mph, 2250 rpms) the exhaust is actually quieter than when I had the stock single exhaust with the single GT muffler! I can't hear it at all above the tire and wind noise. I was surprised by this! I guess it's due the reduced back pressure of the x-piped dual system and two mufflers doing the work of one.
Overall, I'm pleased with the results! Looking at it from the back, I'm reminded of that old beer commercial, "The great taste of a GT, with half the calories."
My biggest concern during installation was that after cutting loose the stock exhaust, I noticed that the distance between the x-pipe inlet tubes was about 1/2" narrower than the stock pipes behind the cats. And you can't just bend that stainless x-pipe by hand to make it fit! So, by using an innovative combination of a three ton hydraulic floor jack, some wood blocking, and David and I looking like we were playing a game of Twister; we got the pipes spread enough to go on. I used the Dremel with a rotary bit and cut the bumper using the Pypes template. I didn't realize how much the rotary bit was going to jump around while cutting, so I cut well inside of the template outline. I then put a sanding drum bit in the dremel and slowly worked it out to the template line. It turned out alright and when the car is on the ground, you can't tell any difference from the passenger side outlet. I plan to get a GT bumper some day, so this will do for now.
On the road, I noticed a couple of differences in exhaust note. There is a noticable difference in sound under acceleration and there is a slight drone between 1500 and 1700 rpm's, but not bad. The most noticable thing I found was that at interstate speeds (75mph, 2250 rpms) the exhaust is actually quieter than when I had the stock single exhaust with the single GT muffler! I can't hear it at all above the tire and wind noise. I was surprised by this! I guess it's due the reduced back pressure of the x-piped dual system and two mufflers doing the work of one.
Overall, I'm pleased with the results! Looking at it from the back, I'm reminded of that old beer commercial, "The great taste of a GT, with half the calories."
take any pics while it was in the air?
09-06-2009, 05:25 PM
#14
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 51
This Saturday I will be installing the Pypes SFM65 dual exhaust system on my '06. For mufflers, I'll be installing a set of GT take-offs. If anyone else has done this, what did you use to cut the rear bumper fascia for the driver's side exhaust tip? I've got the cutting template from Pypes, but it does not have any suggestions for what tool to use. I was thinking of using a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel. Anyone got any suggestions?
Maybe I could have saved you cutting...
09-06-2009, 08:05 PM
#15
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 33
09-06-2009, 08:22 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 12
My '06 is black also. I've already cut the bumper, and it turned out alright, but I would like to eventually pick up a black GT bumper. What do you guess shipping would be on something that big to Biloxi, Mississippi?
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