Help! muffler bypass install help needed! they dont slide on!

Ok, so i decided to install my Maxflo muffler bypass pipes tonight. I started with the driver side muffler removal, which went smoothly. Then came time to "slide" the bypass pipe onto the catalytic pipe per the fabspeed instructions on their webiste... problem is that it wont slip on! It seems that the muffler bypass is just barely too tight too go over the cat pipe... ok, so there are some slits cut on either side of the bypass pipes, which would prompt me to think that you can somehow spread the bypass pipe to go over the cat pipe... the bypass pipe is too stong for me to spread using anything I could thing of (hands, screwdriver, etc...) So, is there a way for me to 'slide' these pipes on by mylself? do i have to go to a shop for them to put it on for me? Or imaybe the pipe diameters are different across models and I got the wrong set? (i have a 2004 3.6L) Can anyone help me? My car has only one muffler on at the moment... Thanks in advance!

use a screwdriver to help slip the pipes on. or if they're too strong use a breaker bar and try using that as leverage to spread the slits open. whateever you do, don't give up and have a shop do it. this is too easy a mod. good luck!

Tried KY? LOL.....sorry, couldn't help it. How about some WD40? That might help to ease it in slowly. Good Luck.

Mine went on with no problem. You don't want them too loose, they might slip down towards the ground. The tension and clamps are all that hold them upright. I guess use some WD-40 or Vaseline. Once you get them on, take them back off and wipe off excess. Them reinstall them. Use some good clamps as well, I got mine from Summit. Band type clamps. Around $8 a piece. They didn't go on with ease, had to just force them on with my ninja-like strength...

Thanks for the info! I think i got one of the eariler production runs of the bypass pipes because the part that connects to the cat does not look exactly the same as the ones that I have seen pictures of recently. Mine have slits cut thru the pipe for expansion... pictures I have seen show that these slit are much bigger on the newer fabspeed pipes... But you are right, they are just like 1/16" shy of fitting onto the cat... i think I may be weak sauce!! Here are pics of my pipes, uninstalled as of now. I dont know if I can get them on even with some lube... i might have to to to a muffler shop... Anymore feedback or advice would be great!

pic of the huge tip! Yummy!! and one of my 996..

Have you tried to heat them. With a torch of some sort. Just BE CAREFUL! Dunno...

Delerium, I had the exzct same issue. They just would not go on. So I took them down to the local muffler shop. I asked the tech to just tweak them in the pipe expansion machine. He said they would not move much because they are stainless steel. I said no problem because I do not want them opened much. He dit it and they fit perfect. Still very snug. No issues in a couple of months. Hope this helps.

I had the exact same issue. The driver's side pipe went on without a problem but the right one wouldn't take. What I did was: 1. I put the clamp on the cat pipes and tighten as hard as I could 2. Used a lot of WD-40 3. I also found that if you try and fit it at an angle you will have better luck. It did manage to fit and I'm a little worried at how hard it's going to be to take off. Good luck!

Thanks for the info guys! I took the pipes to Midas & it took all of 5 minutes for them to put the pipes on an expander & now the pipes fit over the cat. Now I have to buy some clamps to keep those puppies on there securely as they are a bit loose. But, Oh my goodness the bypass pipes make my car sound like a racecar!!!!!! Vrooooooooooooooom!!

They forgot to cut the slits in mine.................. Now I have them welded in place, no muffs, race cats, headers.............................. I think I need a muffler, my car gives me headaches. I like the sound prior to race cats but now it sounds F1.............. hmmm