Stock Exhaust R & R - Suburban

[89Suburban]

Driving down a rough road through town the other day, and "pop" went the muffler. Started gurgling like Christine when Arnie first bought her, lol. So I checked it out and found the muffler split at the end piece. Pipes weren't looking too good either. Wherever there was a weld, a clamp , or a connection, rust and corrosion was well on its way.

Fooled you to look at the tailpipe which looked perfectly fine. So after talking with some of the fine fellas here about the subject, I decided to replace the entire system from the catalytic converter back with a stock replacement system. Here are some shots of the old system:

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[89Suburban]

My local Parts Plus dealer hooked me up with a stock replacement system, 2 piece, for 150 bucks plus clamps. Manufactured by Walker Exhaust: http://www.walkerexhaust.com/defaultEN.asp . They brought the part in for me from a local warehouse this afternoon and I went and picked it up. I can't wait to start this project tomorrow. Like a kid with a new toy, lol. Here's some pics of the new parts.

As you can see the the connector pipe between the cat and the muffler is built right into the muffler, so that's one less clamp and connection to fail or worry about.

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[89Suburban]

Here are the clamps I will be using, stainless steel band clamps. These things last a long time, are reusable, don't crush or kink the exhaust tubing, and seal the joint nicely. About the best you can do for an exhaust system besides welding it, IMO. Plus when the time times in the future to replace a part in the system, or move it out of the way for acces on another repair, these clamps are the ticket!

I will use one standard clamp on the tailpipe for the hanger.

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[Old77]

this is going to be a good movie!

 

[89Suburban]

And a shot of the tail pipe. All nice and new shiny parts, I love it.

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[Old77]

Oh my! This went from PG to R with tailpipe shots! Don't let the kids see this thread....

 

[89Suburban]

Oh my! This went from PG to R with tailpipe shots! Don't let the kids see this thread....

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[bucket]

Exhaust is one thing I can't leave alone. VERY rarely do I ever install a stock type replacement pipe, and NEVER a stock muffler. At least a little rumble is a must. Kinda refreshing to see someone install stock pipes, lol.

 

[Irishman999]

I strongly suggest putting some weld on the joints of those new pipes.

 

[89Suburban]

Merry Christmas Eve to everybody. On with the install. First off, put that saggy, rusted, stinky, square ass up on the ramps.

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[89Suburban]

God Bless the Sawzzaw. Only tool I needed for the removal. Rust and corrosion was a big help and big surprise on most of the original exhaust system. Started at the rear hanger. Just sliced the first clamp off.

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[89Suburban]

Next move was to cut the tailpipe behind the muffler and remove from over the axle. This is the time to to that before the rest of the exhaust up front is cut/removed so it is nice and sturdy for the sawzzall to cut through and also, the back part of the pipe wants to fall so it doesn't jam up the sawzzall blade while cutting. We all know it sucks when that **** happens, right?

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[89Suburban]

I was thinking I was free and clear to attack the converter mount and remove the rest of the exhaust. I was already surpised how the pipe was already rusted through and broken right at the converter, and also noticed that the Y-Pipe was laying right tight against the tranny crossmember. That wouldv'e made a heck of an annoying rattle if it weren't for that previous oil leak lubing it, lol. Anyway, notched the clamp.....

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[89Suburban]

......thinking this baby was going to come off right away, hit that little snag that always surprises the backyard mechanic. There was a hanger I didn't notice before right at the back of the muffler, and it was installed in such a fasion that it would not let me slide the pipe/muffler off the converter, so I had to slice that bitch too.....

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[89Suburban]

Once I got everything off I was glad to see the converter nipple (cue Old77) was in very goode shape. So I cleaned it up a bit and ran in the garage to warm up a little and throw the charger on my underwater camera for my planned afternoon, xmas eve boat ride.

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