OK, HERE'S THE LOW DOWN. I'M GETTIN' A GIBSON SWEPTSIDE CAT-BACK EXHAUST FOR MY RIDE. AND I NEED SOME INFO ON WETHER THE GIBSON SS WILL HOOK STRAIGHT UP TO THE STOCK FACTORY EXHAUST HANGERS??? CHECK OUT MY SIG BELOW. THANKS FOR ANY INFO BROS.

 

I think they will, I looked on gibsons home page, and it said beginners skill level, for first time, one person jobs.

here is the link

gibson ss exhaust page

 

As long as the kit is specific for your year and model, it'll be pretty close.

I started to do the install myself, but just didn't have the correct tools to remove the old system. Really need a Sawzall at the minimum. Some have said they have used a Dremel and many bits to cut through as well.

After 45 minutes of just staring up at the old system, I ended up just packing it up and taking it to a muffler shop.

They had the old system out and the new one in, (with a little help from me holding the pipes and such) in a little over a half an hour.

They also welded up the joints at the same time. A big plus in my mind.

 

Thanks fellas. I'll problably take mine to a muffler shop to get it put on as well. I think it's worth it.

 

I installed on my wifes X a couple of weeks ago and it was not problem. About 45 min and I was done. Could have completed it quicker, but the tail pipe stuck in the muffler and I had to pull it apart and reinstall. I did have the air chisel ready, because I too heard that they could be a pain to get the old one off. The system comes with new hangers that uses exising locations.

Spray a little rust eater on the existing clamp and joint, wiggle and jiggle and it is off. Piece the new system together, tighten and your done. I went back in an retighted this weekend. Have been happy with it. The butt dyno seemed to show a performanc increase and it sounds much better than stock.

 

Thanks HeirBorn. I MIGHT do it myself. It just depends on how things go. I'm glad to hear that the install was easy. Wish me luck!

 

I installed a Gibson on my '95 and it was cake. Getting the old stuff off is the only PITA, and that isn't that bad if you have the proper tools.

I used a chain and wheel type loaner tool from the parts store. Has a chain with cutting wheels like a pipe cutter. Wrap it around the old pipe, a little muscle and it's off. The head pipe connection is tight, at least it was on mine. I used a cut off wheel on a drill to cut a notch to let me split it slightly. A little muscle again and it was off.

The new stuff was childs play.... Put it in place, bolt it up.

I don't mind turning a few wrenches, maybe that's why it didn't bother me. But there is a reason the muffler shop doesn't charge much to do it....

 

id say atleast try it if you have some tools. ive never had to take a stock exhaust off, but you could cut if off with a grinder, a hacksaw(take awhile), sawsall. eather way come back and tell us how you like it. i also have a v6 and wonder what it sounds like

 

It'll be a while before I get it. But I will try to do iy myself when I do. And I'll let you know how it sounds. It will problably be late Spring before I get it.

 

I have a gibson ss. I tried to put in on myself but I didn't have the proper tools to take the old one off. The exhaust is pretty quiet although I;ve had it on about 1,000 miles and it's seems to have gotten a little louder. It sounds pretty good when you really get on it though. Not really loud but it gives it a little deeper rumble and it is definitely louder than stock. Ialso noticed a pretty good performance gain from it.

If I had to do it all over again though...I'd get an X pipe and run duals. My exhaust now vibrates with the gibson when I'm in drive and I'm stopped. This vibration has now developed a rattle an I cannot find where it's coming from. I took it to meineke and they can't find it either. It sounds like it's coming from somewhere before the cats. They said to take it to the dealer. I haven't yet...I'm afraid their gonna try to void my warranty or something.

 

I don't think they can void your warranty because I heard that anything you do to your exhaust AFTER THE CATS is OK. That's just what I heard. Can anyone back me up on that?

 

This is my guess. I've heard that the v-6 and the later model v-8's have this counter balance thing that bolts onto the exhaust system right around the Y pipe. It's just a heavy piece of metal that just sits there from what I hear. This is supposed to stop the vibrating.

If your's had this on the stock exhaust, you need it on the new exhaust.

On the warranty thing, the only thing that Ford will not cover is the new exhaust system you put on. You can still have your door crack repaired or anything else fixed that's covered under your current warranty. If you take it in for the vibrating exhaust, you'll be outta luck, because you changed that............

 

yeah ...I have the weight thingy on the exhaust. At first I didn't, then I put it on and it was a little better. The vibration however, It only happens when I'm in drive and I'm stopped. The RPMs go down to 600(I forget what it was with stock exhaust) and it vibrates. I think the problem is the low RPMs and the vibration feels like it is starting near the engine somewhere.

 

Wolverine
I installed a Gibson Sweptside on my 4.6L about 3 yrs ago. I cut the Stock exhaust off with a Hacksaw. It took about 2 hrs to get the old exhaust off and about 1 hr to install the Gibson. The exhaust will get louder with age. I like my Gibson and the install was very simple.

 

Thanks TN_Triton. Like I said, it'll be a while before I get the Gibson SS. But I will do it myself, problably on a pretty weekend. Ain't nothin' like crawlin' up under your truck on a perdy day an gettin' all dirty!!!