i seem to think someone said the job would go much easier with a ratcheting wrench - just cant find the post and figure what size is needed. iirc - someone said all you need is a single 15mm wrench/socket

so what size is needed - i would rather pick up a ratcheting wrench on my drive home than when i have it strewn about the garage.

 

Not sure myself, but try this thread and PM Mustang Buster as he did it in his driveway or garage I think.

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=53375

 

You will need a 17mm for the clamp bolt. The rear hanger brackets will work with a 13mm socket but one of the front hanger bracket bolts is directly above the muffler.

A 13mm ratchet works perfect. Even if it's just one of the stamped HF cheapies.

My set didn't come with clamps so I used a soft hammer to work the OEM clamp back and forth to break the spot weld. Three or four hits is all it took.

 

My Mufflers came right off with a little wiggle back and forth, they had been on less than a year so no rust.

I also had to open up the slot on one of the new mufflers to fit over the alignment nub on the pipe. I used a dremel and a cutoff wheel.

 

It certainly would have been easier with a ratcheting wrench. Especially on the passenger side. I would recommend it if you can do it. By the time i realized that would be easier i already had one side off and wasnt putting it back on just to run to sears.

 

I find that a good deep socket ratchet set is invaluable for working on exhaust clamps. that should be all you need.

Also when working on the exhaust hangers, take a look at where the muffler sits and which hanger mount it will block. Make sure you put that hanger in place before putting the muffler on. The stock ones block the forward hangers on mine, but the flowmasters block the rear ones on mine. Of course the borlas are tiny so they don't block anything

 

from that post (and the one i remembered reading)...

 

15mm deep socket for clamps
13mm socket for hangers on mufllers.
Some of the side hanger bolts are really in between sizes for extension bars.
Have a couple small extension adapters and fit together to hit side bolts easy.It's aslo easier to use a thin 13mm open end wrench to hit the very tight spot above each muffler.

 

That ratcheting wrench definitely came in handy when I swapped mine out! I am glad I read about getting one for this job on here *before* I did the swap, otherwise, it would have taken a lot longer! With that Ratcheting wrench to get the bolts on top and on the side of the muffler (driver's side), I had the whole thing done in no time flat!

 

Couldn't remember if it was 17mm or 15mm. (probably why I spent 15 minutes or so walking back and forth to my tool chest to get the right ones.)

Axiom: No matter how sure you are, it's always the wrong tool.

 

Also, look away when doing the hanger clamps or you're gonna get some flaky dirt/rust crap in your eyes

 

Everything in the world you ever needed to know about installing an axle-back:

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showpo...15&postcount=1

The GTA's inlet pipe sleeve is not as deep as the stock one, so don't worry about the pin fitting all the way in the locating slot. You can just grind/cut that annoying wart off the over-axle pipe if you want. 17mm deep well(some people said their clamps had 15mm nuts on them), 13MM standard socket, 13MM box wrench(ratchet wrench would be ideal). I have a set of the GearWrench ones with 4 sizes per wrench, nice little set of life-savers. 3 wrenches, 12 sizes...

 

thanks to all - just got them on and did the little test drive. nice difference.

my clamps had the 15mm on them and i was able to use my air ratchet on all but those annoying friggin bolts between the muffler and frame rail. I NOW UNDERSTAND WHAT EVERYONE MEANT BY THESE DANG BOLTS!!!

the 13mm ratcheting socket is well worth the investment for those looking to do this job.

i guess i will be posting my stock mufflers for sale soon

thanks again for all of the tips and help

 

There ya go Man that rear valance diffuser looks good on white stangs

 

thanks - i am partial to the GT/CS in white

dont sound bad neither

 

Me too! I don't have the bumpers, but man they look good in white!

And congrats! Lookin' good!

 

Wait until they have about 700 miles on it, its a thing of beauty when they break in.

 

+1. I love to hear the echo when I turn on the car in the garage.

 

im just a little disappointed. our office moved and we had a parking garage.

but i made up for it earlier - my son likes to hear it rev and we set off a car alarm

 

and don't forget the beer! Always essential when installing. Just not too much!!!