Yamaha Rear Exhaust Kit — Install Guide
GT40 Marine | SKU GT40-YAM-EXH-1819L | Yamaha 1.8L / 1.9L Free-Flow Rear Exhaust | Rev 1.0 — 2026-05-24
Fitment — Yamaha 1.8L / 1.9L
| Family | Models | Years |
|---|---|---|
| FX (SVHO / SHO / HO) | FX, FX Cruiser, FX Limited, FX HO, FX Cruiser HO | 2008-2026 |
| GP Performance | FZR, FZS, GP1800, GP1800R, GP | 2009-2026 |
| VX Touring | VX Cruiser HO, VX Limited HO, VXR, VXS | 2011-2026 |
Not for: 1.0L / 1.05L / 1.6L Yamaha engines, JetBlaster, standup hulls. Confirm engine displacement (1.8L or 1.9L).
Before You Start — Decision Tree
| # | Question | Branch |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engine 1.8L or 1.9L? | Continue |
| 2 | Running free-flow waterbox already? | Pairs strongly — gains compound. If not, recommend GT40-YAM-WB-1819L install first |
| 3 | Tune above stock? | Required for full gain on SVHO; HO trim gains on stock tune |
| 4 | Through-hull exhaust outlet already in place? | If new install, see Step 4 hull-cut procedure |
In the Box
- (1) GT40 mandrel-bent stainless rear exhaust tube
- (1) Through-hull stainless outlet flange
- (1) Stainless V-band clamp, 2.5" ID
- (1) High-temperature exhaust gasket, fire-rated
- (3 ft) High-temperature silicone water injection hose, 3/4" ID
- (2) #12 stainless hose clamps
- (4) M8 × 25 mm SHCS — mounting hardware
- (4) M8 stainless flat washers
- (1) Marine-grade exhaust sealant tube
- (1) Hardware bag — spare gasket, spare V-band
- (1) GT40 product registration card
- (1) This guide
Tools Required
- 10 mm / 13 mm sockets
- T25 + T30 Torx drivers
- 5 mm + 6 mm hex keys
- 1/4" + 3/8" drive torque wrenches, 5–25 Nm range
- 2-3/4" hole saw + arbor (only if installing new through-hull outlet)
- Hose-clamp pliers
- Marine-grade exhaust sealant applicator
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Marine-grade copper anti-seize compound
Safety
- Battery disconnected for duration
- Cold engine only — Yamaha 1.8L/1.9L exhaust retains heat for over an hour
- Eye protection mandatory
- Respirator mandatory if cutting through-hull (fiberglass dust)
- No smoking / open flame
- Two-person lift recommended for stainless tube positioning on FX Cruiser hulls
Pre-Install Checklist
- [ ] Watercraft on stable trailer
- [ ] Engine 1.8L/1.9L confirmed
- [ ] Battery negative disconnected
- [ ] Factory exhaust routing photographed
- [ ] Sealant cure time scheduled (2 hours minimum before first start)
Step-by-Step Install
Step 1 — Access the Engine Bay
Remove seat (two-person lift on FX Cruiser). Open engine bay top hatch. Disconnect battery negative.
Step 2 — Remove Factory Exhaust
Factory Yamaha rear exhaust connects from the waterbox outlet to the through-hull discharge fitting via a short tube.
- Disconnect water injection line at the factory tube
- Loosen the waterbox-to-rear-exhaust V-band clamp (13 mm)
- Pull the factory exhaust tube free
- Inspect the waterbox V-band groove + the through-hull approach for any damage
Step 3 — Inspect and Clean Mounting Surfaces
- Wipe the waterbox V-band flange clean
- Inspect for flatness and warping — surface must be uniform
- Light scuff with 220-grit sandpaper if contaminated
- Wipe with solvent, allow 60 seconds evaporation
Step 4 — Install Through-Hull Outlet (if new install)
Skip this step if a through-hull outlet is already in place.
- Use the supplied transom template (or measure for symmetric placement on Yamaha hull)
- Center-punch the cut location
- Pilot drill, then 2-3/4" hole saw at 300-500 RPM
- Deburr cut edge
- Vacuum all fiberglass dust
Step 5 — Install GT40 Rear Exhaust Tube
- Apply marine anti-seize to V-band clamp threads
- Position stainless gasket on the waterbox outlet flange
- Apply thin bead of exhaust sealant to outboard face of gasket
- Position GT40 stainless tube against waterbox flange
- Slide V-band clamp around joint, snug finger-tight
- Rotate tube to align with through-hull exit — straight approach, no side load
- Torque V-band to 22 Nm (16 ft-lb) in two passes
Step 6 — Install Through-Hull Outlet Flange
- Apply marine sealant around the through-hull cut perimeter
- Position the supplied outlet flange against the hull exterior
- Thread 4 M8 × 25 mm SHCS through the flange + hull, with flat washers + lock nuts on interior side
- Snug all 4 in a cross pattern
- Wait 5 minutes for sealant skin-cure
- Torque all 4 M8 to 8 Nm (71 in-lb) in star pattern — over-tightening causes hull distortion
Step 7 — Reconnect Cooling Water Injection
- Cut supplied silicone hose to length
- Slide #12 clamps onto each end
- Push hose onto engine block water source + onto the new GT40 tube's water injection port
- Tighten clamps to 3 Nm (27 in-lb)
- Verify hose routing — minimum 25 mm clearance to hot exhaust components
Step 8 — Allow Sealant Cure
Minimum 2 hours cure time before engine start. 24 hours recommended for full strength. Saltwater exposure should not occur for 48 hours minimum.
Step 9 — First Start
After cure:
- Walk engine bay — every fastener, every clamp
- Reconnect battery negative — torque to 10 Nm
- Connect cooling flush hose
- Start engine on trailer — idle 60 seconds, listen for exhaust leaks
- Verify water flow at through-hull outlet
- Bring to 3000 RPM briefly — confirm new exhaust note (loud, free-flow)
- Scan with Yamaha YDS — no new fault codes
If clean: install complete.
Post-Install
Break-In
First water test: conservative throttle for first 5 minutes — gradual ramp to half throttle. Sealant final cure happens during this period.
The Yamaha 1.8L/1.9L exhaust note will be substantially louder than stock. SVHO trim shows the most dramatic change. Some hulls resonate at specific RPM (typically 4500-5500) — normal hull acoustics, not a fault.
Tuning
Mechanical-only. No tune required. Stage 2 tune yields full gain when paired with intake + intercooler + waterbox.
Service
- Inspect V-band joint every 25 hours
- Re-torque V-band at 10-hour service to 22 Nm
- Inspect through-hull seal annually for sealant migration
- Annual freshwater flush of the exterior tube for saltwater operation
- Replace silicone water injection hose every 3 seasons
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sharp ticking at V-band | Gasket failure | Replace gasket + sealant, reinstall |
| Exhaust gas smell in bay | V-band leak | Retorque to 22 Nm, monitor |
| Water intrusion at through-hull | Sealant not cured | Trailer, allow 48 hr full cure, retorque M8 to 8 Nm |
| Steam in engine bay | Water injection hose failure | Inspect, replace, retighten clamps |
| Engine performance unchanged | No supporting modifications | Pair with intake + intercooler + tune for full gain |
| Hull resonance at 4500-5500 RPM | Normal acoustics | Not a fault |
Torque Reference Summary
| Fastener | Torque |
|---|---|
| V-band clamp | 22 Nm / 16 ft-lb |
| Through-hull flange M8 SHCS (4) | 8 Nm / 71 in-lb |
| Water injection #12 clamps | 3 Nm / 27 in-lb |
| Battery negative | 10 Nm / 89 in-lb |
Warranty
90-day GT40 warranty per standard policy. Does not cover improper hull cut, premature engine start before cure, operation without proper water flow, or use outside fitment.
Claims: support@gt40marine.com with order, photos, failure description.
Support
- Email: support@gt40marine.com
- Site: gt40marine.com
- Install help: include SKU, hull HIN, trim, model year, and engine displacement in correspondence
Built in the United States. Designed for buyers who want the best.
This guide is © 2026 GT40 Marine. All rights reserved.