V8 Exhaust Tip Removal - Need Help
#1
V8 Exhaust Tip Removal - Need Help
I have searched and found what I thought was pretty conclusive evidence that the V8 exhaust tips come off by grinding out the small spot weld under the chrome tail pipe cover. That said, I ordered some tips and took it took it to a shop to have them remove the welds and add a short extension to the outside pipes so I could fit them, but the technician says the chrome covers look like they may be welded in several spots and is afraid to touch it in case he cant get the cover off without damaging the pipes (The inside pipes on the V8 have a wicked bend and are very short - not enough room to cut and make new ones). Believing in what I read on the board, I brought it home and commenced to grinding out the weld - I have about a dime shaped hole all the way through the chrome cover and that thing has not budged. Some people said they had theirs removed, re-coated and put back on, but I cant imagine how. If anyone can provide some insight and I will offer a small/insignificant reward for photographic evidence of removal or approximate location, techniques etc. I would be eternally grateful. Please do not provide photos a finished exhaust or tips already replaced by your own shop, that is not helpful. thank you all; just trying to avoid wasting more time.
#2
I have seen several people that have done a tip swap and others that had the factory tips removed, coated, and replaced - I have now been to two shops and both say the tips are welded all around and on the bottom and they don't want to risk damaging the muffler/exhaust system or the car. Super frustrating because I know people have done it, but I don't have any details other than seeing the finished product and can't find a shop willing to do it. I know people say "take a good high-end custom shop" but if there isn't one, kind of hard to do that. Hoping someone who had it done will respond. Thanks.
#3
Nobody? Huh, I was waiting to see if you'd get a response as I was curious. I'd like mine to not be so shiny since I have the black pack. I'll probably just clean them really well, mask off the surrounding area, and spray them with the high temp exhaust ceramic paint. I did it on my motorcycle and it turned out well and lasted several years.
#4
Nobody? Huh, I was waiting to see if you'd get a response as I was curious. I'd like mine to not be so shiny since I have the black pack. I'll probably just clean them really well, mask off the surrounding area, and spray them with the high temp exhaust ceramic paint. I did it on my motorcycle and it turned out well and lasted several years.
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JacksonvilleJag (07-02-2020)
#6
The muffler is easy to remove. Just remove the valence first and then pull out the muffler after loosening the clamps just upstream and disconnecting the hangers. Shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to do this. Once the muffler is removed, any good muffler shop (not a franchise) should be able to cut off the old tips and weld the new ones on. I can see why no one wants to do this with the muffler still on the car.
Last edited by Unhingd; 07-01-2020 at 07:28 PM.
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JacksonvilleJag (07-02-2020)
#7
The muffler is easy to remove. Just remove the valence first and then pull out the muffler after loosening the clamps just upstream and disconnecting the hangers. Shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to do this. Once the muffler is removed, any good muffler shop (not a franchise) should be able to cut off the old tips and weld the new ones on. I can see why no one wants to do this with the muffler still on the car.
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#8
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RichardCranium (07-03-2020)
#10
#11
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RichardCranium (07-03-2020)
#12
Any melting or discoloration after spirited driving ?
#13
It might wilt during a track day though?
#14
The muffler is easy to remove. Just remove the valence first and then pull out the muffler after loosening the clamps just upstream and disconnecting the hangers. Shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to do this. Once the muffler is removed, any good muffler shop (not a franchise) should be able to cut off the old tips and weld the new ones on. I can see why no one wants to do this with the muffler still on the car.
#15
#16
Indeed, removing the rear section is similar in most cars; usually requires a few bolts and sliding the muffler assembly off the ribber hangers. I already removed the valence so I could have the work evaluated by a couple shops. I also have measurements of where the tips come out and and the amount of staggering between in the inside and outside; I plan to request they remove the muffler and make a template so that any new plumbing will allow the tips be placed in the exact range/proportion to the factory tips. I will then paint the inside and outside of the pipes (as I have the bottom of the muffler) so the black tips flow visually and don't look like an amateur hack job when examined closely. Nothing worse than hearing someone grab about custom work/modifications only to see shoddy work.
#18
Removal of the rear section is definitely easier, but the bottom spot welds are not the only thing holding the tips on. They are welded all around in multiple places - Way over engineered, but if you’re not afraid to break a few eggs, it can be done and done well. I spent the time to file everything down and painted all the visible areas in ceramic gloss black so that it looks good even when the sun hits it and you can see behind the heat shield and valence or when looking straight into the tips. I would also recommend taking measurements of spacing and tip distance if you want the new ones to be in the same position as factory, I love custom stuff, but I like doing it so that it looks like it could have came that way - I’ve seen a lot of hack jobs especially with exhaust tips. Even when I cut, I made sure the same cuts were made on all pieces and that they were straight - little things make all the difference. The new ones are also slightly larger diameter and seem to “fill out” the opening s better without looking cartoonish.
Last edited by gg2684; 08-28-2020 at 05:51 PM.
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madmax1911 (08-29-2020),
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