Am in the process of changing the oil pan gasket, and I have succeeded in unbolting the Y-pipe completely and have removed the engine-to-transmission brace but I can't see how to maneuver the pipe out past the drive shaft. What am I missing here?

Also, is there a gasket between the Y-pipe and the exhaust pipe?

2.7 L engine.

 

I've taken another crack at this today and should probably amend the question. I can't seem to get the rear flange of the Y-pipe past the rear catalytic converter. Is it possible to remove the crossover pipe without removing the rear catalytic converter? The steering gear and rear engine mount are also part of the obstruction, but it looks as if the cat were out of the way, it would go.

That would make for a strange re-assembly sequence requiring inserting the pipe in approximate position, then installing the cat, then bolting up the pipe. This can't be right.

 

Well, today I got the crossover pipe out. I had to unbolt the catalytic converter to do it. To do that, I used a ball of cotton soaked with PB Blaster on the nuts on the top of the cat, then used a 13mm Grip-Tite socket and a 3/8 " ratchet to undo the nuts. You can do it from underneath the car, but you are working completely blind and totally by feel. I wouldn't want to try this without a Grip-Tite socket for fear of rounding off the nuts, which would be a total disaster. I do not have real big hands and could get in there, but somebody with big hands might have problems doing so. Do NOT try to turn the heads of the "bolts" you can easily see from underneath. These are actually studs pressed or welded into the flange of the cat and they do not turn.
With all four nuts removed, the cat will easily come loose, but not out of the car. It will come far enough out that you can set it aside and snake the crossover pipe out. I can't imagine how you are supposed to get the cat out, but for this job, it's not necessary.
Now that the pipe is out, I may replace it, as it's not in great shape.