After much reading here on the forum, I have decided to use a MAC Pro Chamber mid-pipe with a MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust. I have heard some sound clips and really like it.

My question is how hard of an install would it all be? I am no mechanic but I have access to a lift, and am pretty competent with tools.

Also, how many O2 sensors are on a 2001 GT? I assume that those will have to be re-installed on the mid-pipe with the MIL eliminators.

Thanks for any help that anyone can offer.

Todd

 

I't gonna take you a couple hours for the whole deal at least. Their's 4 02 sensors, but your gonna need to get some MIL eliminators for the last two to keep your check engine light off when you ditch your cats like you said. Your also gonna need to cut off your old exhaust, cutting the tailpipes off a few inches off the back of the mufflers is the prettiest way to do it. Be careful also not to over-tighten the clamps on the new exhaust if your not gonna weld. Clamps work fine. Good luck, Ive got a similar setup - but Im going to go with magnapacks soon instead of the flows - since I want to be obnoxiously loud now that Im racing more.

 

Thanks for the info mdvaldosta!

Once I cut the old system out, will the new system "bolt" right in? I know their is always some adjustment with anything you do, but I have heard nothing but good things about how the Magnaflow's catback system fits.

I figured that I could clamp everything, and then if I have problems I will get my local muffler shop to weld once everything was in place. I just did not know how it would be explaining to him about the MIL's and stuff or I would possibly let him do it from the start.

 

Just do everything yourself - you'll be more proud of it when your done The new system will bolt right in - its just that the factory doesnt use exhaust clamps. The entire exhaust is bolted from the factory - the mid-pipe is bolted to the mufflers and to the manifolds - but the other end of the mufflers is welded onto the tailpipes and they go over the axle - so theirs no way to wiggle them out once you un-bolt the mufflers. You can cut with a cutoff tool or a hacksaw, it doesnt matter. You can buy the expensive mil's that just plug in between your 02 sensors and the plug for them, or you can go cheap and splice a cheap set in (or make them from cheap resistors at radio shack - but I dont know what the resistance is supposed to be off hand). You dont have to do the mil's right away if you don't have them and have to order them, its not gonna hurt anything - you just have to deal with your check engine light.

No need to weld - unless you can weld yourself. I'm glad I didn't - when I put the upper control arms on I had to take the mufflers back off to get to the other side of one of the bolts. It woulda sucked to have to cut them off again and weld them back on just for that. The clamps work fine - but if you over tighten them you will bend the pipes and have trouble getting them apart later. I said the same thing as you about welding them on later, but I decided theirs no need to.

 

Thanks for your help!

Todd

 

Questions / comments below. Hope this thread is still active.

I made MILS for my other car and they got rid of thevery persistent CEL P0430 code. The hardest part is soldering the aluminum O2 wires to the resistor/capacitor. I did it under the car up on a ramp cuz I don't have a lift and couldn't get the O2 out of the bung. PM or reply if you want more details.

I am in the same boat as the original poster guy 'rtm'. I can't weld, don't have a lift and want to put in an off-road X pipe. I know the local exhaust shop would cringe at me loosing my cats so I have to do it myself. So if I get a saw and cut up my stock '02 exhaust and clamp in a X pipe everything will be fine? I am keeping the stock mufflers for now. I drive the car 10 hours or more weekly and don't need any drone/resonance. Hope the X-pipe alone won't increase drone.

Where do I get these clamps which can connect exchaust pipes together without welding and leaking?

Just like you guys I figure if it did leak bad I could have local exhaust shop run a bead as long as they didn't do the cat removal but then there are all of the good points made about avoiding wedling in the first place. Hope you can answer my questions. Let me know if you need more details about home-made MILS in action.

 

Whoah. Clamps rule. Helped a friend with his headers and cat-back this weekend and all is well. We didn't have to fire up his Lincoln welder at all. That's a good thing cuz when I'm welding it's more like a cutter than a welder.