Fabspeed exhaust question

Hey guys, I just installed my fabspeed exhaust on my 99 996 and everything went pretty much according to plan. Thanks to Tim for the great instructions on how to remove and install the mufflers. I did run in to a issue with the passenger side muffler. It sits very close to the bumper cover and heat shield. I would say no more than 1/10th of an inch. not touching but no where near the clearance the the drivers side had. Over an 1/4 -1/2 inch clearance vs the smaller gap on the right side. Also the tip was difficult to line up. This is an interesting issue as my factory exhaust was pretty much the same in regards to the tip not being exactly being the same orientation to the drivers side one. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do. Thanks in advance, Pete

Hmmm. Only did this once, but I fiddled with mine for quite a while, even to the point of putting them on and off twice. If I remember correctly, the stock muffler bracket connected to the mounting flanges on the muffler in 3 places, and the holes on the muffler flanges were slots rather than just holes. On one side I had put the muffler on one end of the slot while on the other side I had reversed it. This is a difference of about 1/4 inch or more. Tip alignment was a pain for me. Still not perfect but close enough. I loosened everything and then used rubber mallet (gently) to get everything close then tightened. You might be surprised how much movement you see. PS: Nice car! What wheels are you running? PS2: How do you like the sound of your new mufflers?

Pete, Glad the instructions and diagram helped! As Jon stated above ^ the stock muffler bracket holes are really slots, so the muffler can be re-positioned on the wheel well. If the exhaust pipe (without the tip installed) is too high, I would go back and try to adjust the muffler brackets to get that corrected. Yes, the tip adjustment can be tricky. The amount of movement you can get out of the c-clamp and the "ball & socket" type of pipe connection is rather surprising. Are you using stock or Fabspeed tips?

Thanks guys. The bracket didn't look like it had any adjustment. I removed this thing twice before say good enough. It's pretty centered but it almost points up and I have already run out of adjustment. My real concern is how close the muffler can sits to the heat shield and bumper. It's a few sheets of paper away from touching. Albeit doesn't vibrate but just concerned. I have the stock tips and am getting used to the sound. I think it's great but don't remember it being this loud as I had it on my first 996 but that was 2 years ago now. How does the bracket with the three holes adjust? I didn't notice slots. Thanks for the help guys, Pete

Sorry for your problems! I think I screwed up my description a little. Running from memory. Here is a nice photo of your mufflers: http://www.fabspeed.com/996_GT3_22.html The 4 flanges on the muffler mount it to the OEM muffler bracket. It is these flanges that have slots so there is some adjustment. You loosen the two long bolts that hold the muffler to the OEM brackets.

as long as its not touching the shield you should be fine... if it really bothers you, you can slightly bend the set of mounting tabs on the muffler towards the direction where you need it most... just remember that the tips will also get shifted.

Here are the stock muffler brackets. The bracket has bolt shafts that slide into oval holes on part # 17 & #18. The oval holes look like this ==> 0 instead of this == > o that allows for some adjustment of the muffler.

Yeah, those are the tabs that we used to get the muffler where it is now. It's pretty darn close just not quite perfect. Oh, my wheels are the sport classic wheels (they're OEM). I could tell you about the exhaust clamp bolt that was completely rusted and only would come off with an oxy/acetylene torch but that maybe for another time. LOL

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Hey my exhaust clamp bolts came right off with a Sawzall! (I bought some new clamps before starting).

Might as well revive this post since Timmy did all that work with his diagram with red circles. I'm sure a lot of newer folks would also find this a handy reference. I had taken my Fabspeed off again to try and slightly adjust and also polish the tips up, and had reinstalled the stock mufflers (that also seem to be filled with lead). Of course that was several weeks ago, and I just reinstalled. I'm always amazed at the difference in weight & sound between the silent stock cans and the wide open Fabspeed -- the way a Porsche should sound!

I plan on replacing that odd clamp (Bought one from the stealership) and see if I can't realign the tip in the spring. I think the mangled older clamp just won't allow the tip to get to the desired angle (it's not extreme).

1/10th of an inch is not enough clearance, the engine shifts around a lot more than that and so does the exhaust under even "normal" operation.

When I adjusted my T/A cans, I did what Tim suggested in his post above to get things lined-up & spaced out. My tips are also close to bumper maybe 1/2" gap but that was the best I could manage. I think the OEM exhaust had larger gap, actually I am not sure...

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Hmm. It's more like 1/4 inch now after I bent the shield out a bit. I've periodically inspected the muffler can and bumper and there is no sign that they have been contacting. At this point, I think it's ok.