How hard is it to get the side exhaust covers off

happy · Sep 11, 2013

last time I was home I had my 02 gts out and can smell fumes bad and when I start it up I can hear it leaking a bit where the cats got cut out and replaced so I want to take the sill covers off and take it to a muffler shop and have it re welded.. Im not home just wondering how hard they are to take off? thanks guys!

speedracervr4 · Sep 11, 2013

Not very hard. You will see the fastners on the bottom side and you can see two of the ones on the top side. Once you open the door you'll need to pop off the covers for the additional fastners.

NSviper · Sep 11, 2013

Jason Not hard all. I've done it a few times, and if I can do it, you will have no problem

LifeIsGood · Sep 11, 2013

Google this:

site:forums.viperclub.org removing side sills

happy · Sep 12, 2013

Thanks Shaun and thanks guys!!

v10enomous · Sep 12, 2013

Fumes and stink are normal when the cats are off and windows are open. It may not even be leaking.

VIPER GTSR 91 · Sep 12, 2013

Happy, when you take the covers off you may find a screw or two missing as they tend to come out easily on the bottom side. Even if all are there, many owners inc myself replaced all the screws on the bottom with slighly larger diameter screws. Larger ones bite better and can be found at any good hardware store. I even found some stainless ones. Use the same style screws though as OEM.

MoparMap · Sep 12, 2013

Way easier to remove side sills on the gen 1 and 2's. Took on off my mom's 94 to repaint the black section since it has scuffed at the back. Took one off my 04 to fix a dent in the bottom after an "adventure" and it's a pain. Have to remember the screws on the top of the sill as well. I think there are plugs in door sill you have to remove to get to them. Otherwise pretty straightforward, "see a screw? remove it" kind of thing.

speedracervr4 · Sep 12, 2013

I would look into installing rivet nuts so you don't have to worry about fastners falling out in the future. The exhaust smell may also be an issue with rear cabin exhausters.

The smell will be stronger on start up due to the car running richer at first.

MoparMap · Sep 12, 2013

speedracervr4 said:
I would look into installing rivet nuts so you don't have to worry about fastners falling out in the future. The exhaust smell may also be an issue with rear cabin exhausters.

The smell will be stronger on start up due to the car running richer at first.

Never thought about rivet nuts, that's a good idea! I whacked the heads on my bolts pretty good when I went offroad and "bent" them in the sheet metal some. Rivet nuts might help straighten them up some.

happy · Sep 13, 2013

ya its leaking I can hear it in the garage when its cold after I start it up and never smelled fumes like now in the last 4 years I had it with same mods n tune, I know there leaking im going to get them all re welded , thanks for the tips on a little bigger screws!!

How hard is it to get the side exhaust covers off

happy

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