GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I just placed an order for my Magnaflow cat-back exhaust. Has anyone used a exhaust cutting tool like this: I don't have a powered saw to cut with. How well does this type of pipe cutter work? Should it fit in the tight working space? What other tools do you all recommend?I can't wait to get it installed!Later,

The good brand/quality ones work great. I would suggest having a muffler shop install it for you if you don't have many tools. It should be less than $20.I would give you the $20 for your OEM muffler, too bad shipping kills the deal. I open up the oem muffler, rearrange/remove the guts then weld it closed again. Takes a little experementin to get them sounding just right, but alot cheaper than aftermarket.

I'll check with some local shops to see how much they charge. I thought I've read people saying that it costs around $100 for a shop to install it. If it's only around $20, that's the price of that tool, so then I may have a shop install it. I like working on my car, so if I can cut the pipe, I don't think I'll have a problem. Most people say it's pretty easy to install.

Quote, originally posted by JohnC »The good brand/quality ones work great. I would suggest having a muffler shop install it for you if you don't have many tools. It should be less than $20.I would give you the $20 for your OEM muffler, too bad shipping kills the deal. I open up the oem muffler, rearrange/remove the guts then weld it closed again. Takes a little experementin to get them sounding just right, but alot cheaper than aftermarket.I got a complete OEM "GT" cat back system if you interested? I also have the OEM dealer installed SS Tip. Let me know..

Quote, originally posted by JustinVGT »I'll check with some local shops to see how much they charge. I thought I've read people saying that it costs around $100 for a shop to install it. If it's only around $20, that's the price of that tool, so then I may have a shop install it. I like working on my car, so if I can cut the pipe, I don't think I'll have a problem. Most people say it's pretty easy to install.Here is the thread from my install http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=14335 It was pretty easy... we used zaw saw though... good luck...

Thanks, yeah I've looked at just about every thread on the Magnaflow. Looks like an easy install. I'll just need to figure out what will be the best way to cut the pipe. I might look into seeing if I can rent one of those zaw saws.

That tool definitely looks too big to be used under the car. Even with the exhaust dropped off the hangers, there's only about a 3"-5" clearance to work with. I guess you could completely unbolt the pipe from the header and take the whole thing out. That'll make it easier.Another problem with that tool is that it probably wont allow you to cut right at the resonator weld joint like you need too. That tool needs an even surface to work on.Renting a saw zawl would be your best bet. With a good blade, it seriously only takes about 20secs to cut through the pipe.

I kept smaking the heat sheild when I used the saws all. Was a pain but once done the cutting the rest was a peice of cake. I did put liquid soap on the hangers mad it alot easier to pull them off. Other than that make sure it's level when you put it on caused a bit of a rattle when I kinda had it not level.

I cut mine with a firestorm sawsall no problems.

I'm thinking about using a hack saw and see how well that works. It may take quite a bit more work, but I'm not going to go out and buy a new tool just for this install. Some people have used hack saws, am I correct?

no reason why it shouldn't work. like you said just a little more labor.

Quote, originally posted by JustinVGT » Should it fit in the tight working space? I can't wait to get it installed!Later,If you can snake the chain/cutter around the pipe, then move the handle back and forth several inches it will fit. I have never seen a situation where this tool does not fit. It also makes a nice straight cut.

Yeah, I didn't think you would have to rotate that chain cutter completely around the pipe. I thought it would probably fit well. I don't have one of those pipe cutters yet, so I'll try the saw before I go out and buy one.

Quote, originally posted by JustinVGT »I'm thinking about using a hack saw and see how well that works. It may take quite a bit more work, but I'm not going to go out and buy a new tool just for this install. Some people have used hack saws, am I correct?Most Home Depot stores have rental progarms...you can rent tools daily, usually for only like $15 or $20. They'll have reciprocating saws available. Same price as that manual tool, but SIGNIFICANTLY easier to work with.

Thanks Mike. I did not know that Home Depot rents out tools. I checked out their site and one of their locations near me has the rental service. So, I'll find out how much it costs to rent one of those powered saws.Thanks,

I called Home Depot last night. That saw costs $14 to rent for 4 hours. That's what I think I'll be doing.

Well, I finally got my exhaust yesterday and installed it when I got home from work. I rented one of those reciprocating saws from Home Depot and it worked well, but was tough to get in the tight space. It took me about 3 hours to install. When I first started the engine after the install, WOW I loved the deeper rumble. Now I know what you guys mean when you say how you like to tap the gas and the low rpms around 1-2k rpm it makes such a nice sound. The exhaust can be quiet or loud. It's actually a little louder than I thought and wanted when you give it gas, but it will grow on me. Overall I am very happy with it.A few questions:1. How long does the burning smell last? I'm assuming it is normal. Last night after I took a short test drive for a few minutes and parked in the garage, the exhaust was smoking. Is this normal?2. Has anyone heard metal vibration sounds? I heard it twice on my way to work today and at first I was thinking something might be wrong. Then I thought maybe the heat shield is hitting part of the exhaust. It sounded like it was closer to the resonator.3. Sometimes when letting off the gas while cruising it makes a quiet single pop sound. I remember some people mentioning that in the past. Sounds a little like a backfire, but not loud. That is normal right? (Edit) I just did a search again on this exhaust pop and sounds like it is common.Thanks,

1. My burning smell lasted about 200 miles. It's normal for it to stink and smoke early on. It's just stuff burning off from the manufacturing process.2. The rattling sounds could be coming from the exhaust hitting the heat shield. Check to make sure nothing on the pipe is hitting the shield along the exhaust route. Especially at the flange joint. FYI: If you didn't slip the Magnaflow far enough over the stock midpipe then that could screw up the alignment of the entire exhuast.3. That sound is normal. Especially in the high compression 2zz engine. If it sounds excessive, you may want to check for exhaust leaks. Those can promote the crackling noises.

Thanks, I'll double check to see if anything is hitting. I wonder if the pipe was hitting the cross brace behind the resonator. Is looking for soot around the joints the easiest way to determine if there is a leak? I plan to check in a few days.

I forgot about that brace. It would be good to check that too. Looking for soot is probably the easiest and safest way to check for leaks. It's better than squirting soapy water on a hot exhaust while it's running.

Ok, just got home from work. As soon as I left work, my exhaust was making a metallic vibrating sound when ever I accelerated. It sounded really bad, so I was taking it easy wondering what the problem is. Then after about 15 minutes through the last 30 minutes the rattling did not occur as often. So, I wondered if it had to do with the engine being cold. Once I got home, I lifted up my car and located where the vibration is coming from. Sure enough, it is that metal cross brace. Anyone have any recommendations to prevent it from hitting it? I hammered the resonator on pretty far, maybe it needs to go on further (hope not). There is plenty of clearance by the rear axel. Anyone else have this problem?Thanks,

Okay, I feel a little stupid . Right after I posted that last message I went out and looked at it one more time. I found the culprit. When I installed the system, I just swung that brace off to the side, didn't completely remove it. When I rebolted that brace, I only tightened the bolt that I inserted. I forgot to tighten the one that I had loosened in order to let it rotate freely. I haven't driven it yet, but I am very sure that is what the problem was.

Alright, well I tightened that bolt and then went for a drive tonight and it still rattled! I took off that brace now and hopefully on my way to work tomorrow morning it will not rattle anymore. Anyone know how important that brace is? Have many others of you taken it off?

Quick update: Now that I removed that brace, there were no vibrations on my way to work this morning.