Installing my Loud Mouth...

[DARK SDE '02]

I'm thinking about putting on my Loud Mouth myself since every place around here wants to charge me for 2 1/2 hours of labor to BOLT ON a few pieces of pipe, ridiculus! I was just wondering how the 3" I-pipe connects to the catalytic converter. Is the exit on the cat 3" or does the Loud Mouth already have a converter built in? The advertising says its a direct bolt on replacement for the stock system, but it's made for a V8 so how does that differ for me? I do have the dual exhaust like the Formulas and non-WS6 Trans Ams but I only have one cat so I'm confused.

So what I'm really asking is, will my Loud Mouth bolt right on or do I have to take it some place else? Oh, and if I can do it myself, what problems might I run into just using ramps to lift up the rear?

[Chevrolet Racing]

You were supposed to order this part with it since your putting it on a V6. Then I believe you can bolt it on.

Once you get it on can you post a sound clip?

[DARK SDE '02]

I don't have anything to record sound with but I'll let you know if I do eventually. And why would I need that kit when it says its for the LT1 cars?

[Rick M.]

because of the way the V6's are setup...all the V6's have to use the LT1 adapter kit to put it on. And wouldn't you rather have the entire exhaust welded? I got mine installed with everything welded in for 55 bucks...

[RancidCamaro]

You probably want to get it professionally installed - there are a couple of reasons.

1.) You get better performance, in general, if it's welded. Better sound, too, there's very little chance for leakage as compared to bolting it in yourself. If you bolt it in absolutely properly, you'll be fine, but welding is still better.

2.) Have you actually tried to remove your current exhaust? It's a pain the *** ! Removing the bolts at the catalytic converter was an absolute *****! It took me almost the entire can of WD40 and the help of one of my friends to get those bastards off of there with a socket wrench. I bent the wrench slightly.

3.) It's almost required you have the proper tools and equipment to get it done yourself... you have to have something to raise the car up high enough that you can get under there. Ramps, tall stands, etc.

Here's another part where you'd need a pretty buff saw (taken directly off the SLP installation instructions):

NOTE: To ease removal of the stock system, the intermediate pipe can be cut at the joint where it meets the muffler. If this is not done, both the panhard bar and stiffening brace above it must be removed. Also, the passenger side rear shock absorber must be unbolted from the axle, allowing the axle to drop enough to remove the muffler and intermediate pipe in one piece. Once the stock exhaust system is removed, the panhard bar, stiffening brace, and shock absorber can be reinstalled."

PITA if you ask me. If you don't have the saw you gotta do a bunch of extra jiggy. If you'd like, I can scan all of the installation instructions and send them to you so you can see what a job this would turn out to be. My recommendation? Take it to a performance muffler shop, it's better all around. It only cost me 70 bucks where I went, and Rick up there got it even cheaper.

[DARK SDE '02]

Ya I said screw it and took it to the shop, I had to get my suspension put on anyways, so I'll have it all welded on. It's a father and son type place in town, they seem like real nice people, so I don't think they'll try to rip me off. Thanks for the tips though, glad I didn't go cutting that crap off myself, I would have been running extra high flow with nothing behind the cat!

[staticpike]

That extra piece that chevrolet racing posted above - it's not a reducer is it? I'm going to buy this tomorrow (along with a cat & cutout) and I'm going to be runnin6 3" all the way out (CIA's, 3" Cutout, 3" Catco, & 3" Loudmouth). Is that piece neccessary and is it a reducer?

Thanks!

[RancidCamaro]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by staticpike:
That extra piece that chevrolet racing posted above - it's not a reducer is it? I'm going to buy this tomorrow (along with a cat & cutout) and I'm going to be runnin6 3" all the way out (CIA's, 3" Cutout, 3" Catco, & 3" Loudmouth). Is that piece neccessary and is it a reducer?

Thanks!<hr></blockquote>

That piece is necessary, and no it is not a reducer. It's the same size as the rest of the piping, it's just the fact that the system is made for the V8s, that boast a different exhaust setup, just slightly. Right after the cat the V6 has a pipe that curves, and the V8 doesn't (I guess). So that pipe is necessary, because it's not included in the kit.