SU test pipe issues

[Circle9]

So I got my SU test pipe in today and excitedly went and installed it. Only to find out that there is not enough thread on the bolts (provided by SU) to properly tighten the pipe to the exhaust. The bolts remain loose after tightened down as far as possible.

I suppose I simply need to go purchase some bolts with more thread on them?

[derspi]

Would it be possible that they gave you the wrong length bolts? I had no issues with mine at all.

[phillyb]

put the springs back on

[mo08ms3]

put the springs back on

+1, reuse the springs and it should tighten down fine.

[Circle9]

Thanks for the spring suggestions, but this not being my first test pipe install, I knew well enough to reuses those. I guess SU simply sent me the incorrect bolts, so instead of crying to them about it, I'm just going to pick some up of my own tomorrow.

Hope no drunks hit me, have to go to work at 5:00am.

[08cosmic3]

Put my SU pipe on a couple months ago with no issues.

[MSMS3]

Thanks for the spring suggestions, but this not being my first test pipe install, I knew well enough to reuses those. I guess SU simply sent me the incorrect bolts, so instead of crying to them about it, I'm just going to pick some up of my own tomorrow.

Hope no drunks hit me, have to go to work at 5:00am.

If you can't find bolts the same length but with more threads, you might just want to stack a few washers on each. That should take up the slack and let you get them tight.

[Circle9]

Yea, I thought of that, but I'm changing the bolts because I will literally need about 4 - 5 more washers per bolt in order to snug it up properly.

Just a little peeve of mine, but I don't like using excessive amounts of washers to true something up.

[fred114]

Thanks for the spring suggestions, but this not being my first test pipe install, I knew well enough to reuses those. I guess SU simply sent me the incorrect bolts, so instead of crying to them about it, I'm just going to pick some up of my own tomorrow.

Hope no drunks hit me, have to go to work at 5:00am.

I just installed mine yesterday. Had the same problem, bolts were way to long. Bought new ones.

Another question for the more experienced with this pipe. The instruction said to put the stock donut gasket on the down pipe side. Well the stock down pipe is flared on the end and seemingly swallowed up the gasket. Then when I placed the test pipe in position, it look like it would eventually just pushed the gasket into the test pipe, or at the very least tear it up with movement. Needless to say, I left the gasket off for now. Let the car warm up while on the ramp, could not detect any leaks. Drove it for about 40 miles, and so far can not hear a leak. Will put it back on the jack stands tomorrow and inspect.
Anyone else have any issues or similar observations with the gasket?

BTW, sound is fantastic now. Already had the MS CBE installed and with the test pipe it just amazing sounding now.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

[Circle9]

You only need to reuse the gasket located between the two cats, the cat-back gasket is not needed. The shape of the end of the test pipe works as a "gasket".

The bolts they sent me are 4 inches in length, It looks like it could use a 3 1/2 or even a 3 3/4 would work.

I'm curious to know where you got your replacement bolts from.

[fred114]

You only need to reuse the gasket located between the two cats, the cat-back gasket is not needed. The shape of the end of the test pipe works as a "gasket".

The bolts they sent me are 4 inches in length, It looks like it could use a 3 1/2 or even a 3 3/4 would work.

I'm curious to know where you got your replacement bolts from.


Just picked them up at Advanced Auto, only thing open on New Years Day.:) I believe they were 3 1/2"

If there was a gasket between the two cats, then I am reusing it. Maybe should have shined a light up there a little better. Nothing came out with the cat, and nothing fell from the DP. Anyway, still no leaking going on.

[Circle9]

Ok, I'll try Autozone today. None of the other stores I tried seemed to have a 3 1/2 size.

The gasket for the two cats just stayed on when I removed my second cat, probably did the same to yours.

[fred114]

Thanks,

BTW, when I got the new bolts, they were US standard, so bought the corresponding nuts as well. I think the supplied bolts were metric. Can't really remember the size, but thinking 3/8ths x 3.5. Don't hold me to that. (dunno)

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Hopefully I have no fitment issues next month with this. I'll be getting my SU test pipe. Good advice though, can you let me know what size bolts you ended up with so I'm prepared

[Circle9]

Do us a favor when you put yours on, tell us the length of the bolts you get. I think I and Fred are some of the only ones with SU test pipe fitment issues. I'm curious to know whether its just our cars, or an improper bolt size.

[coyfish]

Did you try tightening both parts of the bolt? AKA one side with a wrench and the other with a socket?

Im trying to intall my friends test pipe and were having trouble too. Without the catback gasket its leaking and we cant manage the line up the gasket and slide the catback part of the exhaust without moving the gasket.

Im going to check autozone and see if they have a gasket.

[Circle9]

Haha, yes, I know to tighten both sides. I ended up using a couple 3 inch bolts with a washer at each end of the spring, plus the washer for the bolt head. The 3 1/2 bolts were still a little too long for my liking.

If you are installing a test pipe on a MS3, then you do not reuse the cat-back gasket, just the one located between the two cats. If its not an MS3, I can't really help you. I know on my Si I had to purchase a gasket in order for it to work properly.

[coyfish]

I've got a speed 6 and its leaking with and without the gasket. Autozone / pepboys didn't have any replacement. Guess ill have to pay a shop to fix it for me :( 30 min install turning into a real pita. I think su sent me a bad flange.

[Circle9]

How about the bolts they sent you? When you tighten down the nut, are you able to turn it all the way down to the end of the thread?

[coyfish]

Yeah I had plenty of space to tigthen the bolt. The stock gasket was just rusted and wasn't sealing. Checked the SU website and found the gasket. Man wish I would have fount it earlier before I wasted so much time going to autozone / pepboys. Was a bit funny because I took it to pepboys and they didn't have the gasket in the store but they had it in the shop . . . I had them lift my car and they wanted 75 bucks to stick the gasket in there. They wouldn't sell me the gasket. Glad I didn't take that offer.

[STRICK-]

mine went on using all the threads, but i have no leaks. I could have put in some new ones, but didnt bother. good luck

[MSMS3]

I took it to pepboys and they didn't have the gasket in the store but they had it in the shop . . . I had them lift my car and they wanted 75 bucks to stick the gasket in there. They wouldn't sell me the gasket. Glad I didn't take that offer.

$75 - outrageous. I had a performance exhaust shop install my complete catless DP/RP combo for $200. They do a lot of work for pure drag cars in this area. If you know what a bitch it is to remove and replace the DP, that's one hell of a bargain. It sometimes pays to seek out the guys who do the work on winning race cars. Almost every community is going to have an independent shop that does performance oriented exhaust work. They know how to do it right and do it quickly.

[coyfish]

$75 - outrageous. I had a performance exhaust shop install my complete catless DP/RP combo for $200. They do a lot of work for pure drag cars in this area. If you know what a bitch it is to remove and replace the DP, that's one hell of a bargain. It sometimes pays to seek out the guys who do the work on winning race cars. Almost every community is going to have an independent shop that does performance oriented exhaust work. They know how to do it right and do it quickly.


You have to keep in mind that certified shops won't work on catless exhausts. Its a federal fine. That rip off shop was refusing to look at my car until I convinced them that there was more than 1 cat on the car. Stupid chick who thought she knew it all kept telling me that i removed the only cat.

[Circle9]

You can't really blame her for thinking you only had one cat, I myself thought the MS3 only had one cat.

[Bonafide_Spd3]

I'm gonna purchase one next monday, hopefully I have no issues because it will be a pita to keep messin around with. Isn't there some kind of spray you can buy and spray where the pipes meet to prevent them from leaking?

[Circle9]

No spray is needed, I didn't use any silicon or spray and it seals up perfectly.

[seattleMS3]

i have had my test pipe for a little over a week now, and i can honestly say i feel NO power increase. any ideas why? besides that its all in my head. the tone is noticeably different, but i dont know what the deal is.

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Dang man that sucks, don't know why that is

[coyfish]

The power increase is minimal. Prob 6 or 7 horsies tops. This car runs so sporatically (great one day, terrible the next) its hard to notice.

Either way your butt dyno has to be tuned nicely to feel 6 whp.

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Awesome, I'm gonna install my test pipe on saturday, can't wait. Hopefully all goes well. Really look forward to this mod, I've been waiting for a while. Alot of good info. I'm gonna go purchase the bolt size yall said. Did you get double threaded sides or just a regular bolt with thread on one side?

[Circle9]

Threaded on one end

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Awesome piece, installed mine this weekend. The only thing I didn't like was the chemical they put in the pipe, it smoked for awhile and stank. But the car runs alot better now since it seemed I was getting too much air and not getting rid of it quick enough. Thanks for all the advice. Easy install and fit perfect

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Did anyone that has this part have any stink white fumes coming from the exhaust? I think its the chemical crap that they sprayed in the pipe. I've put 1k miles on the pipe already and it still does it. It's the same smell that it made after I put the pipe on. Anyone know how long this chemical crap takes to be gone?

[Circle9]

Mmmm, you might just be smelling the extra fumes caused by removing the second cat.

[Bonafide_Spd3]

That crap stinks, didn't think it would be that bad removing the second cat. Only actually does it once in awhile, When I start my car it doesn't do it while I warm it up for 10 min. but after I drive for about 15 and let it sit for a couple of min. it will start doing it

[coyfish]

I didn't notice any stink. Then again I usually dont sniff my exhaust. I looked inside the pipe however and there was no chemicals in the pipe. Just bits of metal that I cleaned out due to the welding.

[john blutarski]

That crap stinks, didn't think it would be that bad removing the second cat. Only actually does it once in awhile, When I start my car it doesn't do it while I warm it up for 10 min. but after I drive for about 15 and let it sit for a couple of min. it will start doing it

Are you sure your turbo isn't smoking??

[Bonafide_Spd3]

It didn't do this smoking thing til right after I installed it. The reason that I think it was the chemicals/wetness in the pipe is because right after I installed it and started it, it had the white stinky smoke coming out of the exhaust. It isn't my turbo, it runs great

[john blutarski]

If you've driven 1000 miles and still smell it and it starts happening after the car is warmed up, driven, and then sitting idling for a couple minutes, it sounds exactly like your turbo seals. The stock cats mask this... you just removed one.

[Circle9]

I don't think it smells too bad, of course I don't go around inhaling exhaust fumes regularly.

[coyfish]

That does sound like turbo seals. If it keeps smoking I would replace the stock cat and see what happens.

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Ain't that shitty, it didn't do it today and i ran it pretty hard. I've always had my car warm up and cool down too with my turbo timer. I use 10w 30 mobil 1 I think that is taking car of my car, wonder why the seals would just go to crap. So you guys didn't experience stinky stuff after your install

[coyfish]

Not that I noticed. If your using good oil and still smoking then I would guess turbo seals. Not really your fault. If you have the time stick the stock cat back on there and see if it smokes. If it does at least you might get a new turbo out of mazda :).

I don't really know how serious turbo seals are though. Lots of people probably have leaky seals but the cats cover them up.

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Dang, it happened again today. It idled for about 8 min. after 15 min. of driving and stinky white smoke. Sucks... Is it bad to run this car with this problem, haven't happened for a couple weeks now and it did it again. Frustrating. Car runs great too, Don't know what to do...

[derspi]

Don't idle the car for more than a few minutes if possible. Modern catalytic converters can eventually get damaged this way.

FWIW, I had the stinky exhaust smell for about a week after I installed the test pipe. The smell has never come back since.

[Bonafide_Spd3]

I think after I buy my bpv I'm done modding this car. Wanted to do more but don't feel like dealing with this BS

[Boostin McFly]

I'll be putting mine on tomorrow...I'll try to make everything work with what SU shipped mine with. Hopefully I don't get my buzz killed and have to get the shorter bolts like some of you had to.

[Jchouin1]

I have the SU test pipe and resonator delete. I only get smoke on hot days after sitting in traffic. When it starts smoking at idle, if you give it a few revs, the smoke clears up. If you put the cat back on, it stops. I can personally deal with a little smoke on occasion for the added torque, which is much more noticeable than any odor :)

[martyxcore]

circle 9 yes my bolts were to short too and yes i bought 3/8ths hardware and i believe 3.5 inch. did the same thing with my dp. where the hell are you in ga. whats your ride. i live in atlanta and work in lawrenceville

[Circle9]

I live and work out of McDonough - south metro. I drive a black Speed3.