New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech - Attempted Magnaflow install

So I got my magnaflow catback the other day and I get all excited about installing it. I get the car up, hack the muffler off and get the bolt loose on the i-pipe connecting to the y-pipe. I then notice that the clamp is spot welded on to the pipe in several place making it impossible to pull the pipe out. My car is stock with a stock exhaust with the exception of aftermarket tips welded to the stock muffler. Has anyone else experienced this??? I didnt think the exhaust was welded from the factory anywhere like that so maybe when the previous owner got the new tips welded on this welded the pipe for some reason....

I've had things like this on other cars, I just end up hacking the crap out of the pipe until it all comes out. If your not planning on selling or using it again this is the best way. Its good to have a sawzall and a new blade, and some wd-40 to lubricate the blade. It can still be a pain because of the limited space, but it will work. Good Luck

Take a grinding wheel and make cuts going back and forward where the I pipe slides into the y pipe. make one on each side, don't go to deep into and cut in to the Y just put slices in the I pipe, once your in to the i pipe you can also use a chizel to crack your cut in the I pipe so you dont get in to the Y.

What I have done is spray a lot of penetrating oil into the I-Pipe and let it soak in. With the exhaust still as one piece, I turn the muffler assembly clockwise and counterclockwise, this always frees it up and the entire exhaust comes out as one piece. You may want to use a BFH and a chisel to break the pipe free from the rust that has developed.

So DRT, how did your exhaust install go? That sucks that the pipe was spot welded. Luckily mine slipped right off after loosening the clamp. Hope things went well for ya! :cheers:

I finally got the catback installed. Putting the new catback on was the easy part. In order to get the old one off, I had to spend some quality time under the car with a dremel and hammer. I've drove it several times now and I very much like the magnaflow. Right before I put the magnaflow on, I also replaced all of the spark plugs. So I really didnt drive the car between putting in new spark plugs and putting the magnaflow on. So the first time I took it out after those two installs, there was a noticeable difference in the way the car drove. It was much more responsive, idled better, and seemed to be a bit more powerful. Does anybody think this was due to the catback alone? or a combination of new plugs and a catback?

I have the magnaflow on my car, i think it does help a lil bit.

I picked up almost two tenths after my magnaflow install. Back to back weekends, the weather was very similar (DA about 1500-2000) I went from running consistent 13.16s & 13.17s to running high 12.9s.
So yeah you should definitly feel a difference.

Which Magnaflow cat system did you buy/install? I noticed a a little difference when I put mine on. I installed an SLP lid last weekend. That made a very noticeable difference.

Ya i have single tips, i just didnt want to wait to save up extra $300 for Dual tips! I got mine off ebay for like 400 Brand new. shipped!