Stage II is a upon us! I received my downpipe last Monday and had it shipped to my parents house because people like to steal my ish here at home. I was pumped to get it installed and was going to wait until it got a bit warmer. I gave in on Saturday and drove the hour to my parents and did the install in 23 degree weather on a snow covered driveway. Thank god for some quality ski gear and a few beers to keep the cold away.
The install itself went pretty smoothly. The only real issue I had was putting the IC back on after all was said and done. I struggled with that for a while to get the hoses lined back up on the turbo and tightened up.
I had read posts about people struggling with some of the nuts and bolts on the turbo and between the DP and CB. So I sprayed them all with PB blaster and let them sit for a while when working on other parts of the car. Everything came out smoothly without a breaker bar except the lower most bolt between the CB and the DP. I had to wrench on that one a bit, but didnt strip any threads. Coated everything with anti seize before putting it all back together.
I was really impressed when putting the new DP into place. I just dropped right in and fit like it was meant to be there.. well it was, but super close to OEM. I cut the heat shield to fit and replaced it and once I finally got the IC on I flashed to Stage II 93oct.
I was frozen from working on the car all afternoon, but took it out for a ride anyway. I dont know if I was tired, cold or the combination of the two, but the car didnt feel much different from Stage I and wasnt really that impressed. I checked my boost with the AP and was at about 16.9psi. Drove it for a bit and checked again and was up to about 17.3psi, really close to target. I kept at it for about 30 min and finally started to feel the difference after I had warmed up and I could feel my feet again.
1st gear again scares the bajesus out of me. Just a quick look and I think I was boosting between 10-12psi in first. I didnt get a clear look at it as I was hanging on for my life, so it actually could have been more. 2nd was really nice, and so was 3rd. It felt as though 3rd pulled like 2nd used do, 4th now pulled like 3rd used to and 5th was really nice. Before the car used to go thought 1-4 easily and then 5th was a little boring. Now 5th would actually climb pretty quick and 120mph came w/ease.
I wont go into detail, but I made a guy in a forest green Tacoma feel really bad about himself on the highway before I returned home. All in all I am very satisfied with Stage II. I really enjoy the power and the spool above what Stage I had to offer. I went with the Cobb DP because I like to keep a stock look with the car as far as engine/exhaust mods. I didnt have the money to get the full TBE right away so I am building in stages. Everything bolted to the stock CB without any issues. The Cobb Catback is in the future and appeals to be because it doesnt look like a fartcan, is fairly quiet and somewhat resembles the stock CB.
So enough Jibber-jabber and here are some pics below. Not super impressive, but more for me to document the progress of the car!
The oldie.. I didnt realize how heavy the stocker was until I actually pulled it out of the car
My helper.. she was excellent at handing me tools and getting beer as well as an extra set of hands!
She looks a little cold in the picture..
The new shiny one!
looks like quality to me
Finally in. The pipe dropped in like a glove. Yes as usual the car is dirty and you can see some of the salt from this winter.
No worries, it will be cleaned up this spring.
Another shot
As far as heat wrapping I decided to stay away from it. I had talked to Cobb and they advised that wrapping the DP can void their warranty. I also didnt feel it was a good idea because this is a daily driver and is put through a lot of rain and snow. Heat coating is an option if I feel the need for it, but for now I will ride it out and see what happens. Thanks for reading!