3.2 exhaust swaps - back and forth

[redmill]

I have a 100% stock exhaust setup. (87 carrera)

Thinking about Going to SSI heat exchangers/sport muffler etc (not sure beyond the SSI bits)

I realize the oil lines need to moved to do this and some slight sheet metal tweaks to do the SSI HE install.

I am looking for advice on making the return to stock as easy as possible.

My questions:
1) can the stock system be put back with the migrated oil lines
2) is there a specific technique to removing the stock system to simplify its re-install ( cut here, do this do that etc....)
3) are there recommendations to new exhaust install to make its removal easier
4) whats the best case scenario for effort on returning the old exhaust? Could clumsy owner do it with jackstands and handtools?
5) any thoughts on # hours it takes for 911 mechanic to do the install
6) any thoughts on # hours it takes for 911 mechanic to do the re-install
7) for places like lime rock with sound restrictions, is there any setup with SSI's that would not pass the sound check

ps, anyone near NJ with a similar setup who needs an excuse to fire up their car one weekend, Id love to hear the difference in person. Shoot me an IM if you are up for it.
thanks

[88-diamondblue]

The biggest key to getting the old heat exchangers off is heat. Use a torch and heat the nuts cherry red and they will come off with no problem. Without heat they would not budge even using Kroil. I did not want any broken studs. Putting the new nuts on use lots of copper anti-seize. The exhaust will come off as one piece if you can't get the bolts off the rest of the exhaust. I replaced my bolts and nuts whenever I do any work with the exhaust and lots of anti-seize on all bolts and studs. You can see where the heat was applied.

[redmill]

thanks,
any takers on the questions ?

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by redmill

I have a 100% stock exhaust setup. (87 carrera)

Thinking about Going to SSI heat exchangers/sport muffler etc (not sure beyond the SSI bits)

I realize the oil lines need to moved to do this and some slight sheet metal tweaks to do the SSI HE install.

I am looking for advice on making the return to stock as easy as possible.

My questions:
1) can the stock system be put back with the migrated oil lines
2) is there a specific technique to removing the stock system to simplify its re-install ( cut here, do this do that etc....)
3) are there recommendations to new exhaust install to make its removal easier
4) whats the best case scenario for effort on returning the old exhaust? Could clumsy owner do it with jackstands and handtools?
5) any thoughts on # hours it takes for 911 mechanic to do the install
6) any thoughts on # hours it takes for 911 mechanic to do the re-install
7) for places like lime rock with sound restrictions, is there any setup with SSI's that would not pass the sound check

ps, anyone near NJ with a similar setup who needs an excuse to fire up their car one weekend, Id love to hear the difference in person. Shoot me an IM if you are up for it.
thanks

Well, I have no specific experience with this, but...

Question #1.
it is my understanding that if you wish to revert back to stock, the oil lines also need to be changed back. With that being said, at least one supplier/manufacturer, Elephant Racing, makes an oil crossover line that goes up and over your transmission. As I understand it, their Universal Crossover Pipe doesn't have to be swapped back and forth when ever you switch your HE.

[gtc]

When I did mine, the hardest parts were removing the original exhaust and removing the stock oil lines. I would guess that if you did it yourself, you could swap exhausts in a day.
When I replaced my exhaust I had already pulled the engine from the car, but I don't think it would be difficult to do with the car on jackstands.

Notes from my install:
-No broken exhaust studs, but several were permanently rusted to the nuts so that they unscrewed from the heads. Had to go buy a few new studs.
-The oil line fittings are unbelievably tight after 20+ years. Had to buy a couple of enormous harbour freight crescent wrenches.

Most any muffler should be ok for the track. I think they usually seem louder inside the car than outside.