Changing exhaust at home?

[Harleyboy]

Evening,

I have a Range Rover Classic V8 in need of an exhaust. I’m half thinking of doing it myself as the fast fitters just can’t get the exhaust for anything like as cheap as I can from Land Rover part suppliers (I can buy from downpipes back for about £180. Kwik Fit wanted £400 fitted.

I have a garage and axle stands and most of the tools required. No angle grinder though or nothing that could supply heat.

Assuming I can easily get the old one off (it’s a bit of a bodge with the middle (non standard) silencer welded in place, am I likely to just get a load of blowing sections?

Other option is get a local garage to fit it. Would this be a couple of hours to fit or less?

Cheers

[Arnie Cunningham]

I did a full 4 branch header system in stainless from Rimmers on my defender V8. It was no sweat.

[Hammer67]

Not knowing much about the specifics of your car, hard to say but I`d have a bash at doing it.

I do have angle grinders, blowtorches and a reasonably full set of tools and have fitted many exhausts over the years.

Without the above kit getting the old pipes off will be a ballache.

[Harleyboy]

I think I’m going to have a go. Will start putting some penetrating fluid on the down pipe bolts tomorrow and dig out the hacksaw!

Cheers

[Fleckers]

If desperate

Go on a Sunday with some ££ notes and go to a kiwi fit type place they will fit it for you cash in hand guv

[Turn7]

Just exhaust pipes or manifold as well ?

Manifolds always give me sleepless nights.

Nearly every nut/bolt/stud will be rusted and heat seized and its generally an utter ballache.

[Arnie Cunningham]

Good shout. And that's where an impact wrench can be a godsend.

[Harleyboy]

Nope, manifolds and the downpipes are all ok. I get new downpipes with the exhaust but may not change them so it’s the Y piece back.

[texaxile]

Getting a garage to fit can really be a godsend. I got a full system for my brothers TR6 fitted for £30 in an hour, much less hassle than putting the car up and doing it myself for the sake of the cost of a tank of fuel.

It can be done, I've done it before but exhausts often rattle, catch or just don;t want to fit , plus the hassle with the rubbers can be a nightmare as well. I'd be tempted to get a quote for "cash" and see how it goes.

[Harleyboy]

I might just have a quick ring round and see then!

[tapkaJohnD]

As abov re seized nuts and bolts.
An angle grinder need cost less than £50, and will ease the strip a lot!

[Harleyboy]

Progress so far. Old system is off! Hacksawed the rear silencer and pipe that goes over the rear axle and then luckily the Y piece just came off with the help of a rubber mallet complete with the centre box. I’ve had the Range Rover 8 years and not changed the exhaust so am surprised it was that easy.

Just got to fit the new one (which hasn’t arrived yet!)

Confidence is high!

[VanDiesel99]

Make sure you've got all the Sundries

Its easy to overlook a Wire Mesh Gasket Ring

or to realise a Clamp or Rubber is past re-using and you can't complete the job for the sake of a £2 part

Make sure you use some Exhaust Joint gook too, it makes the difference between a nice silent exhaust and something that blows from a sleeve joint

Lay out the new beside the old before you fit it too, then you know its right before you start.

Never fun doing a job twice !

[Harleyboy]

I ordered the fitting kit wit the exhaust so should have everything I need (rubbers, olive, clamps, sealant etc)

Will lay it out first though - Good shout

[paintman]

Don't skimp on the joint sealant.

[Arnie Cunningham]

Defo.

[Harleyboy]

So, I did it! With many tea breaks and some creative swearing, I got the exhaust fitted yesterday. I’m really pleased as it doesn’t seem to be blowing and after a drive today, all appears good.

I was grateful for the ride height as only had axle stands on the front. There was just about enough room to move about. The hardest thing was the rubber hangers.

It’s also really nice to have Range Rover back to a more sophisticated burble.

Thanks for the advice everyone

[VanDiesel99]

"Creative Swearing", yeah, I'll remember that one for a future occasion ('when' not 'if')

Good on ya, you'll enjoy driving it all the more now

[rxe]

Harleyboy said:

So, I did it! With many tea breaks and some creative swearing, I got the exhaust fitted yesterday. I’m really pleased as it doesn’t seem to be blowing and after a drive today, all appears good.

I was grateful for the ride height as only had axle stands on the front. There was just about enough room to move about. The hardest thing was the rubber hangers.

It’s also really nice to have Range Rover back to a more sophisticated burble.

Thanks for the advice everyone

Yeah, but did you run it with just the manifolds? They sound absolutely epic on open pipes.

[Harleyboy]

‘Course I did! Not for long though