- Aug 28, 2014
- 305
This is a PSA for anyone considering purchasing a # 315597 Gibson Side Swept system for their EXT Trailblazer, Envoy, Ascender... Don't expect it to fit.
Overall,,,, the Gibson system is about 6" to short for the EXT. If it were just the 6" short,,, I would weld an extension onto the headpipe or tailpipe... but that is NOT the only problem.
I ordered mine through Summit... it took 22 days backorder from Gibson. I am assuming they build to order. Gibson used the wrong template on this headpipe,,, or they just don't care. I sent them an email,,, they have yet to respond.
The tailpipe fits well... the hangers are properly located and the tailpipe can twist to place the chrome tip where you want it in relation to the bumper skirt.
The muffler is ok... mine arrived with a dent on it... but it is exhaust, not jewelry.
The HEADPIPE... complete fail.
*It could be 6" longer to make up for the 6" short...
*The welded hanger is further back from the flange than the OEM hanger is. The isolator is not able to stretch and reach the Gibson hanger.
*The bends is the headpipe are wrong. It does not bend up to clear the cross-member. I would have to turn the pipe, (tilt the hanger towards the floorboard) to get the headpipe off the cross-member.
*The supplied flange bolts are too short... but only because the center hole in the flange is too small for the cone in the pipe. The flange sits too far from the CAT flange... longer bolts needed.
The instructions say to bolt on the HeadPipe first... However, It can't be bolted on because the bend in the pipe causes it to collide with the cross-member. If you twist the bend away from the cross-member, the hanger points towards the floorboard.
So I hanged the tailpipe... and attached muffler to it. These two fit well together and look good... now all I need is a correct fitting headpipe.
I've seen where other TB owners have used this system... Why does mine not fit? My only answer is because they used the wrong template for the headpipe.... There is no way other TB owners have used this same headpipe... maybe on the Short Wheelbase,,,, but not on the EXT.
The reason I ordered a boxed system is because the said Trailblazer is my service vehicle....
I use it daily for work and don't have the time to sit at an exhaust shop waiting to be serviced.
I ordered the 315597 thinking I could install it myself in a few evening hours... WRONG.
I wish I could, but I am NOT going to pack it back up and wait for a refund from Summit... I already waited 22 days for this disappointment to arrive.
Lastnight, I (irreversibly) cut out the OEM exhaust from my vehicle only to find that the GIBSON system is not a direct fit.
Now, today, I need to cancel my service jobs in order to lay under my Trailblazer and fix Gibson's screw-ups.
Serious loss of money for me.
I am going to combine the OEM head pipe and the Gibson headpipe to construct a correct fitting headpipe out of the two.
Again, this is a PSA...so the next person who is considering a 315597 does not suffer the same frustration and aggravation.
If you do order Gibson #315597,,, be prepared for downtime... and have your saws and welder ready.
Overall,,,, the Gibson system is about 6" to short for the EXT. If it were just the 6" short,,, I would weld an extension onto the headpipe or tailpipe... but that is NOT the only problem.
I ordered mine through Summit... it took 22 days backorder from Gibson. I am assuming they build to order. Gibson used the wrong template on this headpipe,,, or they just don't care. I sent them an email,,, they have yet to respond.
The tailpipe fits well... the hangers are properly located and the tailpipe can twist to place the chrome tip where you want it in relation to the bumper skirt.
The muffler is ok... mine arrived with a dent on it... but it is exhaust, not jewelry.
The HEADPIPE... complete fail.
*It could be 6" longer to make up for the 6" short...
*The welded hanger is further back from the flange than the OEM hanger is. The isolator is not able to stretch and reach the Gibson hanger.
*The bends is the headpipe are wrong. It does not bend up to clear the cross-member. I would have to turn the pipe, (tilt the hanger towards the floorboard) to get the headpipe off the cross-member.
*The supplied flange bolts are too short... but only because the center hole in the flange is too small for the cone in the pipe. The flange sits too far from the CAT flange... longer bolts needed.
The instructions say to bolt on the HeadPipe first... However, It can't be bolted on because the bend in the pipe causes it to collide with the cross-member. If you twist the bend away from the cross-member, the hanger points towards the floorboard.
So I hanged the tailpipe... and attached muffler to it. These two fit well together and look good... now all I need is a correct fitting headpipe.
I've seen where other TB owners have used this system... Why does mine not fit? My only answer is because they used the wrong template for the headpipe.... There is no way other TB owners have used this same headpipe... maybe on the Short Wheelbase,,,, but not on the EXT.
The reason I ordered a boxed system is because the said Trailblazer is my service vehicle....
I use it daily for work and don't have the time to sit at an exhaust shop waiting to be serviced.
I ordered the 315597 thinking I could install it myself in a few evening hours... WRONG.
I wish I could, but I am NOT going to pack it back up and wait for a refund from Summit... I already waited 22 days for this disappointment to arrive.
Lastnight, I (irreversibly) cut out the OEM exhaust from my vehicle only to find that the GIBSON system is not a direct fit.
Now, today, I need to cancel my service jobs in order to lay under my Trailblazer and fix Gibson's screw-ups.
Serious loss of money for me.
I am going to combine the OEM head pipe and the Gibson headpipe to construct a correct fitting headpipe out of the two.
Again, this is a PSA...so the next person who is considering a 315597 does not suffer the same frustration and aggravation.
If you do order Gibson #315597,,, be prepared for downtime... and have your saws and welder ready.