I need to get the car lifted enough to pull the exhaust and just have a floor jack and a set of small ramps. I was hoping the car could back up the ramps and clear the front chin and give enough work space to pull the exhaust, but if not is there a safe place to lift the car without any special attachments?

I have seen on Ebay special tools for lifting points and my old Z06 had something similar. I was hoping to tackle this job tomorrow before my kids fly in for the holiday. Thanks.

 

Put the jack under the motor with something just a little soft so you don't mar anything. The motor is very strong and is a definite point to lift from. If you look under the car you will see the lowest point in the center. Then you can lower the car on the ramps or put jack stands under the jack points in front of the rear wheels. If you do a search there should be pictures.

 

The ramp should be sufficient to swap the exhaust.

 

Agree with Sinking and I would not lift with motor and yes I know about all people that say its fine lol.

 

I did this a few months ago. I used jack stands instead of a ramp to really give enough room.
As far as jacking points, you have to push the jack pretty deep but there is a spot on the crossmember kinda between the tranny and motor that is safer than the actual motor itself.

Regarding taking out the muffler, it was pretty easy actually. I removed the bumper cover but it may not be necessary, the cover came off in 5 minutes, you need some torx screwdrivers, two different sizes i forgot which ones.
The muffler has the strap tie down which is easy, and the four bolts off the turbo, the inner ones are tough, I added a couple of 3/8 extensions together to be able to reach.
After I removed all that it still wouldn't come off spend 30 minutes before I realized the two side heat shield bolts were still attached, then it loosed right up.
Best to have someone help you unless you have good upper body strenghth, I found myself bench pressing it in and out.
Finally don't forget to unplug the O2 sensors I couldn't remove them on the cats with the limited room wasted almost an hour trying.

 

I've heard that jacking under the motor can put undue stress on the motor mounts. Better to jack from the crossmember. I'd say two floor stands under the jack points and the jack itself on the cross member for extra safety is the way to go.

 

Yes good points about using the jack stands for safety.

 

He's gonna have to remove the jack after he puts it on the stands to work on the muffler unless he's a contortionist

 

Hopefully it will just clear the ramps if I back up onto them and it would be easy. I just need to make sure the car clears but will have someone watching to make sure.

 

What is it you are worried about with the ramps? The front air dam scraping? I am lowered and do not scrape, but I am using a 4s lip. You can also back the front wheels onto some boards while backing the rear wheels up the ramps if you want to be sure you have a little more clearance in the front.

 

its not that easy to back a pcar onto ramps. why not just lift the car at the jack points turn the ramp backwards and slide it under the wheels?

 

I would never jack up the car by the motor, a local exhaust fitting shop broke the crank case doing this on a 996T. A very expensive mistake that cost him a bucket load.

 

Really????? come on people!

 

You come on. The motor is not designed to use as a lift point.

Using the engine as a lift point and having no problems and based on this and thus offering advice to lift car by this method is like someone surviving a fall out of a tall building and recommending every one leave the building by that method.

The only suitable lift points are at the 4 lifting pads.

If one wants to lift the car in the air then buy a low profile lift that one can drive the car over and which will then lift the car using these lift points.

 

Do a search...this have been discussed for eternity...

I've own several 911 and now a 996TT

I've been doing this since 1985...

Here's another option at cross member or at engine point

Also included alternative jack stand options...

BTW, block your front wheels...