Exhaust question

[same0027]

Does anyone have any tips for separating the center section from the cat? I know this is dumb question, I've done plenty of exhaust work but it's been awhile. I have bit off a lot (replacing top, ehaust, clutch and various seals and wheel bearings) all at once and need to knock it out quickly. I got all four bolts off and hammered on it awhile and it wouldn't budge a millimeter. Do I need to hammer something between the sections to separate them? I don't want to mess up the mating surface, I see there is no gasket for this joint. . .

[TX82FIAT]

The later model spider 2000 has a four bolt CAT. After removing all four bolts from both sides as well as hanging springs, I would continue to apply penetrating oil or PB blaster. Consider taking the muffler off to gain some leverage from one end of the CAT. If the other end of the CAT is not lose you limit the effectiveness of banking on it. If you have room under the car see if you can get a locking chain clamp around the CAT to give more leverage to the twist. Hopefully you don't have large amounts of exhaust cement that were applied to the joints or some other bonding that is creating a must cut situation.