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Amateur Mech install Borla'S?

A

avy_fluke

Full Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2003
Messages
325
Location
South Jersey the 51st State
Hello, I like the look and sound of the Borla Legends Part # BOR-140003. It looks like a bolt on system.

I wanted to know that if I have an awesome set of tools and a clean garage floor. Could I install this in a weekend? I guess, I consider myself above average from a mechanical standpoint.

I studied the stock muffler and it looks like I can remove the stock muffler easily since it is not welded.

However, with the Borla that I am lookin at, it is a single in/ split rear (dual). The passenger side, has the hanger for the exhaust but the other side doesn't have a hanger

Anyway, I just wanted anyone to share any experiences. I guess worst case, I can always pay someone to install but It takes away the fun.

Thanks

-AF
 
avy_fluke said:
Karma coming your way :)

Plus, if time permits, I'll take pictures and document the process.
Click to expand...

As long as we are done By Sunday so I can start the Move .
 
Cake, cake, and more cake!! I think it took me 2 hours to do mine and I milked it at that!
 
Kod,

Tubby has access to a garage with a lift so it may not be bad. At least I can stand under the Avalanche versus lying under it.

Maybe I can get the whole exhaust out in one piece but I am not holding my breath. So far all the searches and feed back I have received points to using the old hacksaw to remove the exhaust.

AVArchitect of the WV chapter has a nice pictorial of the removal and installation of a Gibson extreme dual. I imagine, the Borla will be similar

I hope to write up my experiences so other amateurs can learn. But first things first, I gotta shop for the Borla.

Thanks,

-AF
 
Lift would make it even easier. Lift and air tools and 2 guys--should be done in under an hour. I found mine for about $825.
 
AF, I removed mine in one piece had to lift the Av up as high as I could with my floor jack.Placed jackstands under frame near trailing arm frame bracket and remove right shock,panhard bar. Just lower differential nice and easy. It came with a little wiggle and jiggle. I installed my Av's original system on my father-in-law's GMC as he likes things quiet. My $.02 Matt
 
Well, I received the Borlas. It took 2 days to get here. Not bad. Anyway, I scanned the document that came with the exhaust. I converted it to a pdf.

I finally know how the driver's side exhaust gets hung. On The 03's and probably 02's there are 2 knotches on the body(?) that the hanger bolts on to.

I'll take a pic to illustrate what I described.

Here is a pdf so you can see what the parts look like. I was looking all over the internet for this but to no avail. So I hope other members who are looking at Borla can use this info.

Saturday, I get to install this.

-AF
 
Oops, the pdf is 113KB. Too big. I will see if I can host this somewhere. If anyone can, I'll send it to you. Otherwise, I'll convert to JPEG and post.

If anyone needs this ASAP, just pm me.

-AF
 
(y) Avy,

We will be able to Get Exhaust off in One Piece.

This Job will be so Easy that Once The Documantation is Done Anyone will be able to do it .( Self Included -Assuming MRS.Tubby allows the Expense )-
 
Tubby,

Using the lift is key. (y) If there is no lift, then the installer has to cut the stock exhaust. From all the comments I have read about exhaust installs, the toughest part is removing the exhaust. This is due to rusted bolts etc.

Convincing the Mrs to get the exhaust is a tough task. I think we need to start a thread on that part of the job. ;-)

-AF
 
Well, Tubbyslanche and I installed the Borla dual exhaust. The hardest part was taking off the stock exhaust in one piece. We got it out after some wiggling and giggling. It actually took 3 of us to get it out. BTW, we didn't have to unbolt the trailing arm or Shock.

The Borla exhaust itself was easy to install. The pipe that runs from the cats to the muffler was a wee bit tricky. The holes on the flange were off about a 1mm. We ended up using the butt of the mallet to push it in.

I think we spent the most time just making adjustments to how the tips were positioned on the sides of the Avalanche.


An amatuer mechanic can install this kit. Removing the stock exhaust will be the challenge. Unless you want to unbolt the shock and jack up the truck as high as you can, most amateurs (like me) would have pulled out the saw and cut the pipe.

I will post pictures of the Borla Cat back.


Oh yea, it sounds great. I can see why everyone's gas mileage goes down after an installation of a dual exhaust. (y)

-AF
 
I need some pics on this. I have been wanting to see this in person but no one has it locally. I don't really care for the gibson split rear duals because the driver side pipe hangs too low in front of the spare. Does the borla do that too?



MS
 
MisterSinister said:
I need some pics on this. I have been wanting to see this in person but no one has it locally. I don't really care for the gibson split rear duals because the driver side pipe hangs too low in front of the spare. Does the borla do that too?



MS
Click to expand...

The Borla pipe does not hang down at all. It is neatly tucked away in front of the spare tire.

Josh
 
JJ is right. The driver side pipe is tucked in front of the spare tire. It also has a heat shield in the area around the tire. It is a nice feature just in case the exhaust ever did touch the tire. It shouldn't though if you torque the clamps correctly.

I'll post the pictures later today. I would have last night but my kitchen sink had a clog (LOL). Clearing the kitchen sink was WAY harder than installing the Borla. It took me four hours to clear a lousy clog.


-AF
 
The borla attaching to the cat pipes. It fit perfectly (except for the holes for the studs) it was a little off but no problem in the end.
 

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This is the driver's side exhaust pipes. If you look closely the pipe fits nicely in front of the tire. Unlike other dual exhausts, the Borla doesn't hang below the axle. Also, you may be able to see the heat shield in front of the pipe. Nice feature just in case the pipe ever touched the tire. You don't want a melted tire.


 

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