(Fast Response Needed) 2000 non-S Muffler Removal

[stateofidleness]

found em!
piece of cake!! used a "mid-deep" socket and it worked like a charm.

one arm above the second cat on, one (fingers only) holding the wrench tight to the nut head.

got the muffler off now, but I see that the stock bolts in the topside have to stay with the stock muffler.

andddd since the new muffler didn't come with new hardware (it was pictured... sent a nasty gram to the ebay seller), I have to run to the hardware store to get 2 new bolts. There's a lot of room to get up there now with the new muffler, so re-installation shouldn't be a problem.

will let you know how it goes!!

thanks fellas

[jmatta]

Good luck...I removed the bumper cover when I swapped my muffler; I think it makes it considerably easier.

[stateofidleness]

got it all back together.
re-install was WAY easier than removal, but removal wasn't terrible. was able to do it with the bumper on, but i have girly arms/hands so I was able to maneuver myself pretty easily to get at the top 2 bolts.

the sound is great!

idle and sub-35mph it's very low and throaty. between 35 and 65 it sounds like the stock muffler (to me anyway). from 65-70mph there's a definite drone, but not a "show stopper". 70 and up, the drone turns into a more stock sounding exhaust note and is not as quiet as stock (which was REALLY quiet), but not drone'y (made that word up )

next project... water pump!

for others that may come along:
I was able to do the entire removal and installation with the end on ramps. there was PLENTY of room in the rear once on ramps. I also used an air wrench which shaved off about 20 minutes of hand-wrenching.

at 72k miles (MY00 base), all my stock hardware came out EASILY! I sprayed them with penetrating spray WHILE I was removing them (ie: not prep spray) and they broke loose and came out with ease. Was able to re-use all my hardware with no problems at all.

also, if not for anything else, the swap was worth the weight savings alone... that stock muffler is a BIG honkin' thing. Had each muffler in each hand and was having to "lean" over to keep the stock one lifted (im a girly man.. see note above, but still). tidies up the rear underside a bit too.