The first generation (1968-69) Toyota Corolla was the manufacture’s smallest vehicle ever released in the United States at that time. The second generation Corolla became the second-best selling car in the world, as stated by Edmunds. As of December 2010, the Corolla is in its tenth generation. The eighth and tenth generation featured identical exhaust system designs, and installing an exhaust system for the 2001 to 2003 Toyota Corolla S 1.8-liter I-4 requires a vehicle lift, a socket wrench set, wrench set and saw with a blade capable of cutting metal.
Things You’ll Need
- Socket set
- Wrench set
- Saw with blade capable of cutting metal
- Gloves
- New exhaust system
- Jack stands or vehicle lift
Uninstalling Stock Exhaust
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Lift the Corolla off the ground using a hydraulic lift or wheel jack and jack stands. Leave enough room underneath the vehicle to work on the exhaust system components efficiently.
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Unbolt the muffler assembly from the swivel bolt flange located on the opposite end of the muffler from the tailpipe using the socket and wrench set. There will be two flange nuts mating the front pipe and muffler assembly piping together.
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Lift the muffler assembly off the hanger hooks and pull it out from its mounted position.
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Place the muffler assembly and all the corresponding hardware and insulators off to the side. Do not lose any of these components because they may be used during the exhaust replacement installation.
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Unbolt the chassis brace, located underneath the front pipe. The front pipe is located after the resonator assembly. Remove the front pipe and place it off to the side along with all its hardware.
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Remove the original resonator assembly if your new exhaust system includes a replacement resonator. In this case, cut the original resonator piping one to three inches in front of the weld melding the resonator assembly to the exhaust piping leading towards the engine.
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Prepare to install the new exhaust.
Installing New Exhaust
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Install the front resonator assembly using the hardware and clamps provided by the new exhaust system after slipping it over the recently cut original piping. Install the new exhaust components from the front of the vehicle towards the rear.
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Bolt the exhaust hangers in place starting with those that hold the resonator assembly.
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Install the front pipe to the resonator assembly using the provided or stock hardware using the socket and wrench set. Reconnect the chassis brace. If applicable connect the front pipe to the necessary hangers.
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Mount the muffler assembly. First connect and bolt the swivel bolt flange mentioned above using the two flange nuts.
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Hang the muffler assembly on the hangers and tighten the remaining hardware.
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Adjust the newly installed Corolla exhaust system as needed. Tighten hardware and fasteners from the front of the vehicle to the rear.
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Lower vehicle back onto the ground.
Tips & Warnings
- Make sure the Corolla is stable after lifting it off the ground before sliding underneath to remove exhaust components. Check the hardware has not loosened after driving with the new exhaust for 40 miles.
- Do not uninstall or install new exhaust components until the vehicle has cooled down. Exhaust piping becomes extremely hot during vehicle use.