Mid/Test Pipe Install help

[lestat13]

I have half-assed many projects, but promised myself I would not cut any corners on this car or do anything I wasn't 100% sure of.

Well, I got under my car with my new cs test pipe and I need help. It looks simple, but I am having trouble getting to the back of the bolts where it meets the downpipe. I am not going to do something on this car if I am not completely sure about what I'm doing.

Is there anything I can do or any tool that can make this easier? I saw where someone said there are 8 bolts to take off a black brace... but that's not the one in my way! Can we remove the large black pannel under the downpipe?? I'm frustrated? Have pity?

[fragchild]

I used a ratcheting box wrench on the back side of the bolts. Then just used a normal extension and socket on the front.
There's plenty of room on to get your hands around the black thing. Almost like you're hugging it.

[Antoniogut]

+1 im havin the same issue i dont wanna unbolt the wrong brackets...if i can ill find a muffler shop that will do it even tho they arent supposed to...you should do a how to once you figure it out :D

[lestat13]

I am willing to try.... I just don't want to get everything off and then not be able to get it all back together. That and I am working with 2 small jackstand.... fuck I wish I had a lift ;)

[hard2kill]

I am willing to try.... I just don't want to get everything off and then not be able to get it all back together. That and I am working with 2 small jackstand.... fuck I wish I had a lift ;)

Be carefull under your car man, I don't want to hear about you getting crushed! Oh, and good luck I wish I would tell you how :( How about calling CS for advice?

[lestat13]

Be carefull under your car man, I don't want to hear about you getting crushed!

Like I said, I've had to "improvise" on cars before, and this is my first NEW (less than 10 years old) and EXPENSIVE (more than $1,500) car. I am trying hard to keep it in *perfect* condition, and that's why I'm not taking chances.

That includes my health too!! I've been using the approved front jack locations and put bricks behind the back wheels. Believe me, I don't want to be crushed....

[fragchild]

I am willing to try.... I just don't want to get everything off and then not be able to get it all back together. That and I am working with 2 small jackstand.... fuck I wish I had a lift ;)

The mid pipe was just as easy as the cobb SRI, really. I did it with stands and had no problems at all. And I was nervous about breaking things too.

If you're nervous about this install I wouldn't recommend the DP install, that's a real PITA.

[lestat13]

Yeah, with most people saying 6 hours, I was going to try to not do a downpipe. I heard that test pipe was easy to uninstall. I'll get up the balls to try again when I find some time this week.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, fragchild!! :)

[ericrapp]

I have half-assed many projects, but promised myself I would not cut any corners on this car or do anything I wasn't 100% sure of.

Well, I got under my car with my new cs test pipe and I need help. It looks simple, but I am having trouble getting to the back of the bolts where it meets the downpipe. I am not going to do something on this car if I am not completely sure about what I'm doing.

Is there anything I can do or any tool that can make this easier? I saw where someone said there are 8 bolts to take off a black brace... but that's not the one in my way! Can we remove the large black pannel under the downpipe?? I'm frustrated? Have pity? I am sorry I am late. Yes you need to remove bracing and you will need socket extensions but you can do this! Don't you have instructions? I do and will help you out. Pm If you like.

[ericrapp]

Sorry, You should not need to remove h brace but the one that is in your way 4 bolts?I will have to look at instruction to remember. i am sure it is not bad at all and you will be pleased. as mentioned before the DP is well, challenging

[phillyb]

can someone scan these instructions by any chance. i'm buying a used test pipe and would love to see how to install it. thanks in advance.

i am also very uncertain and a little nervous about doing this installation

[Antoniogut]

can someone also post a pic of what bracket and bolts to remove to acces it...i checked underneath and there are also those hangers welded onto the cat and it looks like more trouble than everyone else says.....lol i think im just scared to get underneath with 2 jackstands i definately dont wanna die

[wisniaPl]

can someone also post a pic of what bracket and bolts to remove to acces it...i checked underneath and there are also those hangers welded onto the cat and it looks like more trouble than everyone else says.....lol i think im just scared to get underneath with 2 jackstands i definately dont wanna die

hehe I have the same problem Im scared stupid death:P

[fragchild]

These are NOT my pictures, they are Corksports.

DP To MidPipe
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2629343164_ee211bee1e_o.jpg

MidPipe To Exhaust
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2629343086_fa9ef71d82_o.jpg

[ericrapp]

Frag has sent the appropriate pics, do they help? Be sure to chock the the wheels 'rear' with e brake engaged unless you are doing four jack stands. If you are concerned about safety have a professional type do it. Should take half an hour in labor on lift, no shame in that sirs

[ericrapp]

a mild grease or wd-40 or pb blaster similar to lube the hangars will help to get the posts to slide on and off.

[lestat13]

I banged around on the bracket.... it seemed like that was attached to the other large black piece. Huh.... looks like tomorrow or Thursday (whenever my friend can come over and help) I will be trying it. Thanks, fragchild!!

[Antoniogut]

friday im gonna look for a shop if they cant then ill be proppin it up once again with 4 jack stands this time....the hardest part is jackin this bitch up cuz its so low i hate it and my craftsman jack is so thick it doesnt fit so i have to use a tiny jack then get the bigger lift and ugh..its a PITA

[Double Dspeed]

it seems like your having the problems i did if the bolts arent reaching its cause they're not long enough i had to get longer ones. if its anything with the hangers cant help ya =\

[Nburvi1]

my bolts were on there so tight i couldnt even move em. after jacking the car up two separate times i decided to go to a muffler shop, took em 30-45min and 40 bucks. well worth it imo. Ive installed DP's and CBE on WRX's and a saab 9-3 and it wasnt as difficult as this car.

[Antoniogut]

most shops wont do it cuz its illegal here in CA to remove a cat but im sure i can find a 'cool' shop thatll do it for me

[ericrapp]

it seems like your having the problems i did if the bolts arent reaching its cause they're not long enough i had to get longer ones. if its anything with the hangers cant help ya =\
The rear bolts are still not long enough! Cork responded to that in an email to me a ways back and said they made appropriate change?

[ericrapp]

my bolts were on there so tight i couldnt even move em. after jacking the car up two separate times i decided to go to a muffler shop, took em 30-45min and 40 bucks. well worth it imo. Ive installed DP's and CBE on WRX's and a saab 9-3 and it wasnt as difficult as this car. i had to jack the car up more so I could use a breaker bar on those, 40$ is a good price imo.

[UHATEIT]

I'll be doing mine this weekend, I hope its not hard like you guys are saying. In Ca its illegal so i cannot find shops to do this for me, and none of them would cut out the cat so I was forced to buy a straight pipe. I would imagine with POWER TOOLS, like an air compressor these should come out easily right? I watched the muffler shop air compressor work like a charm.

Hey Lestat this is your thread man, did you ever get this thing installed and how hard was it once you figred out what to do???

[Speed3Rookie]

Test pipe was cake.
No need to remove anything except the big black brace.
Use WD40 to lube the rubber hangers.
I have the SLS tp and the stock bolts were too short where the tp bolts to the dp. I just went to Advance and bought a couple of shorter exhaust springs. Worked like a charm.

[dkswim]

repplacing the mid pipe is simple 30 min to an hour. and you have to do it if you do the DP anyway.

[lestat13]

I'll be doing mine this weekend, I hope its not hard like you guys are saying. In Ca its illegal so i cannot find shops to do this for me, and none of them would cut out the cat so I was forced to buy a straight pipe. I would imagine with POWER TOOLS, like an air compressor these should come out easily right? I watched the muffler shop air compressor work like a charm.

Hey Lestat this is your thread man, did you ever get this thing installed and how hard was it once you figred out what to do???

Oh shit, I forgot about this one!! Haha!!

I ended up buying a corksport downpipe as well. I'm going to have a shop install them both for me. I figured if I am not 100% sure of it, I am not going to risk f*cking up my brand new car.

[UHATEIT]

I bought a used protege garage testpipe and will be doing it this weekend. I hope I wont need to get any new screws or gaskets or anything like that. I just want to use the stock shit and bolt it right up. My step dad has power tools and a compressor so it should hopefully come on and off easily

[Antoniogut]

alright guys i just did it this weekend...man this thing is awesome definately notice a difference in power and deeper sound/more pops + growls (if that makes sense)

all i did was jack up the front pretty high, get a ratchet with an extension so you can get the test pipe to downpipe bolts and then remove the black braces( youll see which ones since they are in the way) they are really easy to uninstall/reinstall...
as for the bolts to the test pipe/exhaust part ya SU's test pipe came with the right size but you just need some long threaded bolts...

all in all its actually a simple install i was afraid to do it but i got under there with a friend and as long as you have the right tools itll be easy...

[UHATEIT]

mine is a used protege garage test pipe. I just hope i dont have to buy more bolts for it. Once the cars up in the air on jacks, if I find out, its a 5 mile walk to autozone for bolts and then 5 mile walk back if i need bolts. Any ideas on the PG pipe if it would require more bolts (I assume that you are referring to bolts exactly like the stock ones but with more threading???)

[Antoniogut]

no idea on the PG but i didnt have washers so i ended up usin my buddies bolts and he had some transmission bolts that were semi long but had alotta thread and those worked just fine...i wish i had a picture for ya