I have a 97 Z28 which in the haynes manual it states you only need to remove the exhuast on 1998 onwards to remove the starter, unless I'm missing some magical way of physically making the starter motor thinner than the gap between downpipe and sump I assume you have to remove it on all V8's.

The rear end of the downpipe unbolted easily at the 2 bolt flangebut then it appears to go up in to a drum/cat looking silencer before bolting on to the drivers side manifold (header in the USA?).

So.. do I need to remove the exhaust? and if so it looks like 3 bolts holding the downpipe on to the header, is this correct or do I only need to undotwo (two look easy, one is tucked away at an angle and looks a real ***** to get to and I'm not entirely sure it's part of the downpipe, again haynes manual is useless at this point) or worse,is their more hidden somewhere?

 

try unhooking everything on it and look for a gap. i didnt have to remove my exhaust to get mine off on my 98..... its kinda tight, but you should find a hole somewhere. i usually trust haynes, if they didnt remove the exhaust i dont htink you should have to

 

Was yours manual or Auto? I think if I didn't have what looks like auto trans cooling pipes I could get it out.. circled piccy below

http://www.digitalphotos.pwp.blueyon...sc/starter.jpg

 

i have a 6M and did not have to unbolt the exhaust. wiggle it out

 

the lines look trans cooler lines they bend fairly easy just be careful and the starter should come right out i had no problem getting mine out i have m6 and it shouldn't be that hard