I took the Vette to the Fort Myer Auto Crafts Shop in Arlington earlier today to do some mod work to the exhaust. More specifically, I was there to remove the catalytic converters and install some Magnaflow race pipes, essentially straight-piping the exhaust.

The guy in Z28 next to me was a 23-year-old Honor Guard soldier and a real wizard with a wrench. He gave me a lot of pointers for DIY work, which I really appreciated. He said next weekend was a nitrous install before hitting the drag strip. O_o




Because current model Corvettes sit super low to the ground and have fiberglass rocker panels near the jacking points, you're normally supposed to have lift adapters or "jacking pucks" on hand to lift the car. These can run anywhere between $40 to $70 depending on how fancy you want to go (plastic, engraved anodized aluminum, etc.).

Instead of buying them, I went the DIY route and bought eight 3/4" x 3" x 3" wood molding blocks at 97 cents a pop from Home Depot, then taped pairs together with 1" Gorilla tape. Less than $10 total and they worked just fine. I probably should get some real jacking pucks soon, but it's nice to DIY once in a while. As you can see, no damage to the rocker panels whatsoever.




Here's an underside shot with the cats removed. Hanging from the chassis are the two post-cat O2 sensors. Normally, these are supposed to show a different reading compared to the pre-cat sensors to show that the converters are actually working, but since the cats will be removed, they will show the same reading and will trigger a check engine light. A simple handheld performance tuner is all you need to clear this up.

Also, note the oil filter and drain plug locations. GM couldn't have made it any easier to do oil changes on the Corvette. I paid about $110 to have it done last time by a performance shop. From now on, I'll do it myself for half price.




Side by side: The catalytic converters on the left and the Magnaflow performance pipes on the right. Beyond reducing back pressure to almost nil, there is a substantial weight savings as well. I'd say roughly 20 pounds between the two. The stock cats are surprisingly thick-walled and fairly heavy.




Pipes installed and ready to rock. The left pipe actually has a metal tag welded to it that says "OFF ROAD USE ONLY", which is another way of saying that these were only meant for race track use. Considering I actually am going to Summit Point's race school in a couple weeks, I think I'm in the clear.

The first time I fired it up, it was MIND-NUMBING. Although there is a slight boost in HP and torque, the most noticeable result of this upgrade is being able to sonically murder pedestrians from five blocks away. Keeps me grinning anyway.

If I'd gone through a performance shop for this install, I'd probably have paid close to $500 for parts and labor. Instead, I bought the Magnaflows for $200 and paid $19 in shop rental fees. I'm no mechanic, but I'm down with turning a wrench or two to save almost three bills.

Next up is a 160* thermostat and full engine/transmission tune. That is, of course, if I don't plow into a wall at 100mph while at Summit Point. XD

 

Yeah those jacking pucks aren't cheap. I went to Dicks SportingGoods and got 6 hockey pucks instead.

 

Nice pictures, and good to hear everything worked out!

Same here. Luckily I had some leftover puck from my younger High School hockey days

 

I also have multiple rubber hockey pucks. They are more versatile and reliable than you think.

 

Lookin good!!!

I have a stack of 2x4 and 4x4 lumber that gets hacked up for stuff like this.

 

Do you have to be military to use the shop?

Also, no cats isnt worth it to me. Sit in traffic with no cats for awhile and the fumes will honestly make you dizzy.

 

the smell also not to mention the fact if you live in Va, you might have trouble passing the VA emissions. If your guy does a visual and see's not cats he might not pass you. Trust me I have been there and done that, teats the only reason I am mentioning it. Also of course the check engine light will come on but you can tune the rear o2's out so that won't be an issue.

Have fun and summit and post more details about the hobby shop and how you can gain access to it of you aren't military.

 

I actually failed inspection with my Z06 and I had high flow cats installed. They simply failed me because the cats werent were they were expecting them to be, and thought I didnt have them because of it.

 

Technically, the auto shop is only for active duty military, reservists, and spouses/immediate family members of the first two.

Buuuuuuut, I'm an Army contractor with a CAC and ask very nicely.

 

As for the cat job, my emissions test isn't due until October, so I'm good to go for the Summer. And when the time comes, it's a simple job now that I've done it once. I bet I could knock out the swap in an hour.

And call me weird, but I almost like the smell. It's worse with the top off, too. It sounds MEAN...like how a sports car should sound. Love it.

 

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