How to Install an Exhaust System on the C8 Corvette

Our C8 Corvette has been at the MagnaFlow development facilities in Oceanside, California for the last week while they test, develop, and finish the development of their brand new aftermarket exhaust system for the mid-engine Corvette. In this article, we’re going to show you step by step, exactly how to install that exhaust system. 

We’re also taking preorders for the system, and if you want to get your name on a list to get one of these systems as soon as it’s available, give us a call at 833.MOTOROSO, which is 833.668.6767, email us at info@motoroso.com or hit us up on live-chat at Motoroso.com, where you can browse over a million top name brand products sold by trusted vendors at great prices, and the shipping is always free with no minimum. Let’s dig in. 

VIDEO: HOW TO INSTALL EXHAUST ON THE C8 CORVETTE

Before we start ripping things apart, we’re just going to give you a quick overview of what you have to do to install this system on the C8 Corvette. The rear face of the vehicle actually has to come off so we’re going to show you every nut and bolt you need to take to get that off safely. Then we’ll show you how to uninstall the stock system, install the new aftermarket system, and put the rear facia back together. We’re actually gonna be having this done by the MagnaFlow technician in their facility so you’re going to know the exact steps that you should follow to install your MagnaFlow system. Let’s get started. 

Tools you’ll need for this job include:

• Torx 15 and 25 Sockets
• 7, 10, 11, 13, and 15mm Sockets 
• Panel Puller
• Approximately 25-30” of extensions
• Ratchet
• Flathead screwdriver
• Small Pick

Installation Steps:

1. Get the car on jack stands or a lift.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Remove the (8) Torx 15 bolts on the passenger side and the (11) Torx 15 bolts on the driver’s side for the fender liners.
4. Remove the (5) pop clips on the passenger side and (4) on the driver’s side.
5. Remove the fender liners.
6. Remove the (4) 10mm fender-to-bumper mounting bolts.
7. Remove the (16) Torx 25 bolts from the top of the bumper from the trunk.
8. Remove the (4) 15 lower bumper mounting bolts.
9. Remove the (10) 7mm bolts for the lower plastic cover and the (1) center pop clip.
10. Undo the clips on the outside of the bumper, and with the bumper loose, undo the (3) connectors and put the bumper in a safe place. 
11. Undo the connectors for the outer exhaust valves. 
12. Remove the 13mm bolts for the hangers at the rear of the muffler. 
13. With the muffler sagging, you can access the front valves to undo the clips. 
14. Now with the very long set of extensions, about 25-30” inches, and a 15mm socket, you can undo the (5) mounting bolts for the muffler to the header, with the (2) on the driver’s side and (3) on the passenger side. 
15. Pull the front hangers off and remove the full muffler assembly. 
16. Remove the valve motors off the muffler with a 10mm socket.
17. When installing the motors on the new MagnaFlow exhaust, make sure to put the supplied bolts facing up for clearance for the deep end clamp, making sure not to overtighten these 10mm nuts.
18. Remove the front motors by starting with the small C-clip on the bottom of the arm and pop the ball joint off. 
19. Pop the upper C-clip off and remove the arm, and use the Torx 15 to remove the ball joint mounting point and rotate it so it fits under the MagnaFlow valve. 
20. Reattach the arm to the motor once it’s mounted on the MagnaFlow valve. 
21. Install the flex pipe to the headers using the supplied 15mm nuts, but do not fully tighten them down until almost before the exhaust is in place. 
22. Mount the front valve to the flex pipe, making sure the bowels are oriented in the correct direction or else the valve will not operate properly.
23. Once in the correct position, plug in the valve and tightening the V-clamp.
24. With both valves in place, hang the X pipe, centering it with the V-clamp tightening down the 13mm nuts. 
25. Reinstall the rear hangers in the car.
26. Remove the hangers off the OEM muffler and install them onto the new MagnaFlow mufflers. 
27. Install the new mufflers into the front fingers first, then mount the rear hangers using the OEM 13mm bolts and clamping into the X pipe, repeating the process on the other side.
28. With everything mounted, and the V band clamps tightened up, tighten the (5) mounting bolts to the headers with your extra long extension,
29. Install the front valve onto the mufflers and plug in the valves. 
30. Reinstall the fender liners.
31. Install the rear bumper by clipping in the outer clips into position and reconnecting the (3) connectors.
32. Reinstall the (16) Torx 25 upper mounting bolts. 
33. Reinstall the (4) 10mm mounting bolts for the bumper to the fender.
34. Reinstall all the Torx 15 bolts and the pop clips in the wheel well, and press the mudflaps into position. 
35. Connect the exhaust tips and align them in the cutout, before fully tightening the V-clamp. 
36. Install the under plastic with the (1) center push clip and (10) 7mm bolts, and install the rearmost under plastic with (4) Torx 15 bolts.
37. Reinstall the wheels and torque to 155 ft/lbs.

All right. That wraps up our installation guide for the brand new MagnaFlow exhaust system on our C8 Corvette project built. You probably want to hear what it sounds like, and we’re doing a controlled test in our own studio, where we used a really high-quality microphone and a soundproof box to measure the stock exhaust system. We’re going to do that with the MagnaFlow when we get home, so make sure you watch that video because that’s going to give you the best idea of exactly what this system sounds like.

Now, we are taking a preorder interest list and if you want to be on the list to get this exhaust system as soon as it’s available, make sure you contact us at info@motoroso.com. Hit us up on live-chat on our website, or you can call us toll-free at 1.833.MOTOROSO which is 833.668.6767. Thanks for reading. 

VIDEO: MAGNAFLOW EXHAUST SOUND