3" Race X-Pipe Cat-Back Installation for the CTS-V

© 28August2004 StealthV

Videos

        Stock to X-Pipe Comparison

        X-Pipe Cruising around Town

        X-Pipe Motoring Down the Interstate (with prototype StealthV CAI)

Use this as a pictorial reference only; always refer to the official B&B instructions for more detail or clarification.

For more information, please visit  B&B Performance Exhaust

Installation time:  Approximately two leisurely hours with one person.

1. Items/tools needed:
   1. 1 set of Rhino ramps
   2. 1 set of jack stands (or second set of Rhino ramps)
   3. Hydraulic floor jack
   4. Trouble light
   5. 1-pound hammer
   6. Rubber mallet
   7. 11/16” wrench
   8. 17 mm wrench
   9. 16 mm wrench
   10. ½” drive ratchet
   11. ½” extension
   12. ½” drive, 16 mm socket
   13. 3/8” ratchet
   14. 3/8” extension
   15. 3/8" drive, 13 mm socket
   16. 3/8" drive, 15 mm socket
   17. 3/8" drive, 16 mm socket
   18. Pry bar
   19. Drift punch
   20. 12 pack of Dew ;-)
   21. scrap wood 2x4s
   22. Zaino Z6 (or equivalent for clean up prior to engine start)
   23. Microfiber towel

 2.  Open up the B&B box and admire the beauty of polished stainless!

3.  Compare your hardware included with the kit to the bill of materials on the B&B installation drawing.

 4.  Oooo….x-pipe!

5.  Support the rear of the V on Rhino ramps.  Jack up the front and support the front of the V with jack stands (or another set of Rhino ramps).

6.  Loosen the four nuts most of the way at the two front flanges of the factory exhaust, do not remove the nuts yet.

 8.  Place a 2x4 on the head of the floor jack, roll the jack under the rear of the car.  Line up the 2x4 under the exhaust just in front of the differential.  Raise the 2x4 up until it just contacts the exhaust.

 9.  Slide the rubber muffler hangers off.  The hanger shown is towards the front of the muffler.

 10.  The two hangers at the rear of the muffler are already removed in this photo.

11.    With the 3 rubber hangers removed on each muffler, slowly lower the floor jack.  After the jack has been lowered all the way, finish removing the four front exhaust flange nuts.

 12.  If you’ve placed the 2x4 in the position shown, the factory exhaust will be perfectly balanced and can easily be rolled out from under the car with the floor jack.

 13.  Oooo….balanced.

14.  Attach the two front B&B pipes to the factory exhaust manifold down pipes, using the metal gaskets in between.  Only start the nuts onto the studs at this time, do not tighten.

 16.  Slide the x-pipe over the front pipes.  Make sure to fully seat the x-pipe over the front pipes.

 17.  Support the rear of the x-pipe – I used a 12-pack of Dew and a 2x4 on edge.  =)  Use a 2x4 and a hammer to seat the x-pipe over the front pipes.

 20.  The thinner of the two bushings is on top. 

 21.  Place the mufflers under the car.  With the six rubber muffler hangers off the car, lubricate the holes (I used a squirt of Zaino Z6).  Install the three rubber muffler hangers on each muffler.  Next, lift the muffler up into position and slide the front muffler hanger over the hook on the car.  Then slide the two rear hangers onto the car’s hooks.  Repeat for the second muffler.

 22.  Line up the muffler pipes with the x-pipe.  Place paper gaskets between the flanges and install the two nuts and bolts in each.  Snug each side of the flange up evenly and tighten.

 24.  Look at those 4.5” tips…WOW!

 25.  Make sure to tighten the four bolts at the muffler/x-pipe joint first.  Next, tighten the front four exhaust flange bolts at the front of the car.  Next snug up the center support bolts and finish by tightening the clamps at the connection of the x-pipe and front pipes.

 26.  Before starting the engine, wipe down all surfaces of the exhaust – mufflers, tips, pipes to prevent blemishes and fingerprints from being burned in, discoloring the surface of the stainless.  For mine, I used a microfiber towel and Zaino Z6.

Photos after 6 good heat cycles and 100 miles later....

©2004 - 2007 StealthV Engineering