Muffler ? again
 

For those of you who installed a "performance" muffler I have a few questions. If you removed your rear bumper for easier access, what did you use to re-install the plastic rivets you drove out of the spoiler? Porsche parts or a substitute?

For those who installed muffler without removing the bumper was it that much of a bear or just a PITA? I will have access to a lift so I won't be crawling around underneath a car on jack stands so the job should be a bit more civil. Any extra installation tips appreciated. New muffler only weighs 18lbs so any increase in performance I suspect will come through lb loss plus quicker heat dissipation.

AKL :cheers:

i have done it both ways. if you're removing the STOCK muffler, i recommend you pull the bumper. lots of aftermarket light weight stuff is no problem, but the OEM is pretty heavy & you'll appreciate the extra room. only takes a few minutes to get the bumper off anyway.....

as for the plastic rivets? they are CHEAP from the dealer. if you want to re-use your old ones, i have seen little snippets of coat hanger used to replace the center pin in the old rivets. i.e. you insert the rivet into the hole & then insert a segment of coat hanger into the rivet itself.

I replaced my OEM muffler with a FVD 'sound' version muffler that has about the same external dimensions without removing the rear bumper. I read opinions on both sides and I figured I'd take the bumper off if needed, but it went pretty smoothly leaving it on.
Good luck with the project!

Thanks guys...
 

...both suggestions very helpful. Will let you know my 'outcome'.

AKL :cheers:

I have a 2000 S, and ended up having to remove the bumper in order to get the muffler re-installed. Came off easily with the bumper on, but couldn't get the upper bolts to line up for re-installation.
I re-used the plastic rivet pieces. You just have to make sure you are careful to retrieve them after you tap them out.

I too removed my bumper cover (and under-assembly) to remove my OE muffler when I installed my first aftermarket muffler.

When I removed the first aftermarket muffler to replace it with my current muffler, I easily did it with the bumper cover installed.

I also re-used the original fasteners.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-9-07007a.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...0-9-07004a.jpg

Im not real sure what my fasteners were then cause they were metal and a PITA to get out. I installed mine with the bumper on. I struggled some for sure but got it done. I have some leaks around the muffler though because the bend in the "C" pipes is just slightly off. Any suggestions on the "C" pipes or should I just cut and weld them to fit. I asked a few exhaust shops in the area but they said they can't bend something that tight