must be muffler month . . . Fabspeeds installed!
10-17-2008, 07:34 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
must be muffler month . . . Fabspeeds installed!
Well, that was kind of fun. Fabspeed MaxFlo mufflers arrived on time, and, with help from you guys, decided to do the installation myself. To paraphrase an old cliché "I will NOT be quitting my day job."
This is the first time I have had my car on jack stands, so thanks to Orient Express for an illustrated guide. (rear tire underneath as a safety fall-back). There was one challenge, however. With my PSS10s the car was lowered a bit, so once I had the front stands in place there was not enough clearance for my very low-profile jack. So I raised the back tires again and placed some 2x10 scraps underneath to more clearance for the rear jack point.
As far as installation goes, gota911's instructions were great! Thanks!
I also remembered to spray the nuts and bolts with liquid wrench the night before. Need a well placed smiley here:
Well, little remains on installation that is not already here on Rennlist. I would vote for the "tool of the year" for this job, should you do it yourself. A flexible head ratchet:
The only bolts that were beyond wrenching were the bolts on the muffler clamps themselves. Luckily I had purchased the Fabspeed clamps as others have recommended. The factory bolts were carefully removed via a Sawzall. Felt good, actually.
The C4S has a couple of extra brackets since the tubing to the tips is a little long. Both had broken (fatigue resistance, anyone) somewhere along the line, so felt no obligation to replace them.
Anyway the true joy of the project is trying to get the tips lined up. Not too hard with the Fabspeed clamps.
Finished up with a coat of lithium grease on all the bolts in hope that they will take longer to rust next time.
Sound is great. I will admit that all I had to compare it to around here was the stock muffler, but, after reading about a million threads on this subject, figured I could not go too wrong with the Fabspeeds. Sounds like a sports car!
This is the first time I have had my car on jack stands, so thanks to Orient Express for an illustrated guide. (rear tire underneath as a safety fall-back). There was one challenge, however. With my PSS10s the car was lowered a bit, so once I had the front stands in place there was not enough clearance for my very low-profile jack. So I raised the back tires again and placed some 2x10 scraps underneath to more clearance for the rear jack point.
As far as installation goes, gota911's instructions were great! Thanks!
I also remembered to spray the nuts and bolts with liquid wrench the night before. Need a well placed smiley here:
Well, little remains on installation that is not already here on Rennlist. I would vote for the "tool of the year" for this job, should you do it yourself. A flexible head ratchet:
The only bolts that were beyond wrenching were the bolts on the muffler clamps themselves. Luckily I had purchased the Fabspeed clamps as others have recommended. The factory bolts were carefully removed via a Sawzall. Felt good, actually.
The C4S has a couple of extra brackets since the tubing to the tips is a little long. Both had broken (fatigue resistance, anyone) somewhere along the line, so felt no obligation to replace them.
Anyway the true joy of the project is trying to get the tips lined up. Not too hard with the Fabspeed clamps.
Finished up with a coat of lithium grease on all the bolts in hope that they will take longer to rust next time.
Sound is great. I will admit that all I had to compare it to around here was the stock muffler, but, after reading about a million threads on this subject, figured I could not go too wrong with the Fabspeeds. Sounds like a sports car!
Last edited by Jon996; 10-17-2008 at 09:37 PM.
10-17-2008, 07:50 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
yeah, that flex head rachet is a necessity. Another thing to do is to hand insert the hex socket first onto the bolt, and then snap in the rachet part after. This way, you know you have 100% engagement of the nut.
10-17-2008, 09:25 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
First off, that is a beautiful car. 
Second - bravo for wrenching on the car yourself. Im ready for an exhaust mod too - and was thinking Tubi, but the Fabspeed is so much more reasonably priced. Is there any noticeable drone?
Second - bravo for wrenching on the car yourself. Im ready for an exhaust mod too - and was thinking Tubi, but the Fabspeed is so much more reasonably priced. Is there any noticeable drone?
10-17-2008, 09:36 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Regarding drone, I am not completely sure what "drone" even is. There When I think drone I think two harmonics out of sync--kind of a waawaawaa effect. I do not have any of this at all. I will say, if I screw up and have the RPMs too low, for example going up a hill, it gets loud, but it's my mistake for lugging the engine (and I fix it). Anyway, millions of reviews to read. I was afraid Tubi would be too loud. Lots seemed to like Fabspeed, so on they went!
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10-18-2008, 09:18 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Again, I give you big props for just picking one and going ahead! There are so many reviews and opposite opinions (sometimes on the same exhaust) that it is east to fall into "analysis paralysis". That is where I am.
I guess I define "droning" as more of a buzzing sound that at certain RPMs makes the whole cabin feel like a resonating chamber. But by revving the motor a little more or less, you change the frequency and the drone goes away. On my old supersprint exhaust there was a slight drone but only when freeway cruising - a few mph up or down and the exhaust became much quieter. Fwiw.
Were the Fabspeed cans pretty light weight in comparison to the OEM?
I guess I define "droning" as more of a buzzing sound that at certain RPMs makes the whole cabin feel like a resonating chamber. But by revving the motor a little more or less, you change the frequency and the drone goes away. On my old supersprint exhaust there was a slight drone but only when freeway cruising - a few mph up or down and the exhaust became much quieter. Fwiw.
Were the Fabspeed cans pretty light weight in comparison to the OEM?
10-18-2008, 09:33 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Volume inside the car is really nice. From quiet to a low roar if you step on it. (The rest of the exhaust is stock)
10-18-2008, 09:37 AM
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Again, I give you big props for just picking one and going ahead! There are so many reviews and opposite opinions (sometimes on the same exhaust) that it is east to fall into "analysis paralysis". That is where I am.
I guess I define "droning" as more of a buzzing sound that at certain RPMs makes the whole cabin feel like a resonating chamber. But by revving the motor a little more or less, you change the frequency and the drone goes away. On my old supersprint exhaust there was a slight drone but only when freeway cruising - a few mph up or down and the exhaust became much quieter. Fwiw.
Were the Fabspeed cans pretty light weight in comparison to the OEM?
I guess I define "droning" as more of a buzzing sound that at certain RPMs makes the whole cabin feel like a resonating chamber. But by revving the motor a little more or less, you change the frequency and the drone goes away. On my old supersprint exhaust there was a slight drone but only when freeway cruising - a few mph up or down and the exhaust became much quieter. Fwiw.
Were the Fabspeed cans pretty light weight in comparison to the OEM?
Regarding weight, I did not weigh them but they were much lighter in my hands anyway.
10-18-2008, 11:00 AM
#13
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Nice job and thanks for posting pics...I agree, after installing my Fabspeed a few weeks ago that tool is your best friend - I have about 400 miles on mine and they certainly sound great...I think the more you drive it the more you will like it! Congrats!
10-18-2008, 01:52 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
The SSK is a must, I do agree. I bought mine from Eric as well - and upgraded my whole center console (painted orient red) since I had to remove it anyway. I was nervous about ripping my car apart - but the install is SO straightforward that looking back, I would have been a total whimp to have paid someone to install it for me.
10-18-2008, 02:38 PM
#15
Parts Specialist
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