Downpipe Install

**WESTI** · 04-02-2007, 10:05 PM

Im interested in doing a downpipe install but im not sure what to do. Can someone do a How-to Install for a downpipe?

will12345 · 04-02-2007, 10:49 PM

downpipes are rather easy, pop your hood, remove your topmount intercooler, two 12mm bolts hold it on and then the silicone boot to the throttle body. Unbolt the bov from the intercooler, ( i find it easier to do that than to remove it from the recirc line) theres a heatshield covering your stock dp, theres i believe 5 or 6 10mm bolts holding it on. Just lookaround and spot them. soon enough the heatshield will come off. Now you should see the top part of the downpipe. Spray it down with some kind of lubricant so you dont strip or seize a bolt. Theres 2 14mm bolts and 3 14mm nuts that hold the dowpipe to the turbo. If you can get your hands in there, you can undo them all from the top...if not, you'll just undo them from the bottom. once youve done all you can do on the top, go underneath and un bolt it from the midpipe. 2 14mm bolts and nuts hold them together. Unplug your o2 sensor which you will later remove with o2 sensor tool, or a proper sized wrench. There is one more 14mm bolt that holds the downpipe to the tranny crossmember. Take it and give the tab a lil push to get the dp clear. It should come out once thats down and install the new dp in reverse order. Hope that helps ya out. Will

supermarkus · 04-02-2007, 11:07 PM

scoobymods.com has a good walk through.

anti-seize compound is your friend, PB blaster rocks!

YeloFva · 04-02-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supermarkus

scoobymods.com has a good walk through.

anti-seize compound is your friend, PB blaster rocks!

Having a breaker bar is a plus too.

Dragicon · 04-09-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeloFva

Having a breaker bar is a plus too.

can i get anti-seize from a local auto parts store?

**Ben** · 04-09-2007, 10:14 PM

I've done the downpipe / turboback exhaust 4 times now without removing the intercooler. You can get the headshield off just fine with a 10mm flat ratchet and the 5 downpipe bolts / nuts off with a 14mm swivel head ratchet / socket. You just need to do the top 2 bolts from above, and the bottom 3 bolts from below.

mxpop · 04-09-2007, 10:27 PM

^^^whaddayouknow, you dont even own a Suby.... (sorry

)

Westi, if you know someone that has ever done it, have them help out. On a lift it is a snap. On the ground it is more difficult but easily do-able. Be sure to use a box end (not an open end) wrench for the O2 sensor and get a smooth hook tool to feed the IC hoses back on to their spigots nicely. Also, make sure that your heatshield is on properly or else you'll get the rattles. Other than that its all about basic mechanical common sense.

If you have 10k or less miles, you can prob re-use the gaskets. If not or you are concerned, have some new ones available.

Since you have a Cali '06, it shouldnt be too crusty already (sorry to all you mid west salted road drivers...)

Anti-sieze is available at every parts store and you wont need much, just buy the smallest tube you can. It also works well to put a little on the back of your brake pads (the metal side, not the material side

) to help with brake squeeks.

Dont forget to flash a stg 2 map or go get a nice custom tune. I am really happy with Harman in Torrance.

http://www.harmanmotive.com/index.html

.

bigJP · 04-09-2007, 10:46 PM

ha this is funny, i'm installing mine tomorrow. Glad i saw to work from the heat sheild down, that probably saved me a good hour

Dragicon · 04-10-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxpop

^^^whaddayouknow, you dont even own a Suby.... (sorry

)

Westi, if you know someone that has ever done it, have them help out. On a lift it is a snap. On the ground it is more difficult but easily do-able. Be sure to use a box end (not an open end) wrench for the O2 sensor and get a smooth hook tool to feed the IC hoses back on to their spigots nicely. Also, make sure that your heatshield is on properly or else you'll get the rattles. Other than that its all about basic mechanical common sense.

If you have 10k or less miles, you can prob re-use the gaskets. If not or you are concerned, have some new ones available.

Since you have a Cali '06, it shouldnt be too crusty already (sorry to all you mid west salted road drivers...)

Anti-sieze is available at every parts store and you wont need much, just buy the smallest tube you can. It also works well to put a little on the back of your brake pads (the metal side, not the material side

) to help with brake squeeks.

Dont forget to flash a stg 2 map or go get a nice custom tune. I am really happy with Harman in Torrance.

http://www.harmanmotive.com/index.html

.

Why does the wrench matter on the o2 sensor? And when you mean a box wrench is thst a reference to say a socket wrench or is that the circular section on the back of a wrench?

Also i read about torque requirements for the bolts on the downpipe a few threads down.... what type of torque should i put on the bolts?

STI_Mike · 04-10-2007, 08:40 AM

it's easy i've done it like 4 times myself

**WESTI** · 04-15-2007, 07:55 PM

what are the torque specs for the bolts on the downpipe and midpipe?

Stargazer · 04-15-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESTI

what are the torque specs for the bolts on the downpipe and midpipe?

The Cobb instructions say 26 ft/lbs for the downpipe.

http://www.cobbforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32208

TuffStuff · 06-14-2007, 07:05 AM

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNPLUG THE WIRING HARNESS!!! take 1.7seconds... no need to screw with the intercooler.

sti2relaxxin · 07-04-2007, 06:45 PM

I had to take the intercooler off because I couldn't get the heatshield out of there with it in. Also, to get at some of the nuts and bolts holding the downpipe onto the turbo, it is almost impossible to get at them with the intercooler on. I went into this install fully prepared to work around the intercooler, and I have no idea how anybody has been able to do this without removing it. The intercooler was a breeze to take off, and somewhat of a pain to put back on. Without an adjustable ratchet and various ratchet extensions, this job can be very difficult. A good thread to start and sticky would be "what tools are needed for a downpipe install?" Once you have the proper tools, the rest is common sense.

**WESTI** · 07-04-2007, 07:38 PM

i did it without taking off the intercooler

04-02-2007, 10:05 PM	#1
WESTI Gold Member Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: HKS CARBON TI Location: Irvine, Ca Posts: 5,226 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Downpipe Install Im interested in doing a downpipe install but im not sure what to do. Can someone do a How-to Install for a downpipe? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-14-2007, 07:05 AM	#13
TuffStuff Grassroots STI Racer Car: 07 OBP WRX-STi Fav Mod: Girl in the backseat Location: Cudjoe Key,FL Posts: 594 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Downpipe Install ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNPLUG THE WIRING HARNESS!!! take 1.7seconds... no need to screw with the intercooler.

07-04-2007, 06:45 PM	#14
sti2relaxxin Silver Member Car: 2007 OBP/Gold Wheels Fav Mod: Prodrive Mudflaps Location: Philadelphia, Pa Posts: 804 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Downpipe Install I had to take the intercooler off because I couldn't get the heatshield out of there with it in. Also, to get at some of the nuts and bolts holding the downpipe onto the turbo, it is almost impossible to get at them with the intercooler on. I went into this install fully prepared to work around the intercooler, and I have no idea how anybody has been able to do this without removing it. The intercooler was a breeze to take off, and somewhat of a pain to put back on. Without an adjustable ratchet and various ratchet extensions, this job can be very difficult. A good thread to start and sticky would be "what tools are needed for a downpipe install?" Once you have the proper tools, the rest is common sense. Last edited by sti2relaxxin : 09-22-2007 at 05:28 AM.

07-04-2007, 07:38 PM	#15
WESTI Gold Member Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: HKS CARBON TI Location: Irvine, Ca Posts: 5,226 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Downpipe Install i did it without taking off the intercooler This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

04-02-2007, 10:49 PM	#2
will12345 STI Driver Car: 04 subaru sti Fav Mod: 35r turbo kit Location: sunny san diego Posts: 289 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	downpipes are rather easy, pop your hood, remove your topmount intercooler, two 12mm bolts hold it on and then the silicone boot to the throttle body. Unbolt the bov from the intercooler, ( i find it easier to do that than to remove it from the recirc line) theres a heatshield covering your stock dp, theres i believe 5 or 6 10mm bolts holding it on. Just lookaround and spot them. soon enough the heatshield will come off. Now you should see the top part of the downpipe. Spray it down with some kind of lubricant so you dont strip or seize a bolt. Theres 2 14mm bolts and 3 14mm nuts that hold the dowpipe to the turbo. If you can get your hands in there, you can undo them all from the top...if not, you'll just undo them from the bottom. once youve done all you can do on the top, go underneath and un bolt it from the midpipe. 2 14mm bolts and nuts hold them together. Unplug your o2 sensor which you will later remove with o2 sensor tool, or a proper sized wrench. There is one more 14mm bolt that holds the downpipe to the tranny crossmember. Take it and give the tab a lil push to get the dp clear. It should come out once thats down and install the new dp in reverse order. Hope that helps ya out. Will

04-02-2007, 11:07 PM	#3
supermarkus Spec C Club Car: 08 STi, SSM Location: Edmonds Washington Posts: 1,439 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	scoobymods.com has a good walk through. anti-seize compound is your friend, PB blaster rocks!

04-09-2007, 10:14 PM	#6
Ben Retired Admin Car: 2006 Audi S4 Fav Mod: Weight Loss Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,821 Join Date: Dec 1969 Trader Rating: (11)	I've done the downpipe / turboback exhaust 4 times now without removing the intercooler. You can get the headshield off just fine with a 10mm flat ratchet and the 5 downpipe bolts / nuts off with a 14mm swivel head ratchet / socket. You just need to do the top 2 bolts from above, and the bottom 3 bolts from below.

04-09-2007, 10:27 PM	#7
mxpop Spec C Club Car: '06 STI Fav Mod: air freshener!!! Location: Santa barbara area Posts: 2,289 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	^^^whaddayouknow, you dont even own a Suby.... (sorry ) Westi, if you know someone that has ever done it, have them help out. On a lift it is a snap. On the ground it is more difficult but easily do-able. Be sure to use a box end (not an open end) wrench for the O2 sensor and get a smooth hook tool to feed the IC hoses back on to their spigots nicely. Also, make sure that your heatshield is on properly or else you'll get the rattles. Other than that its all about basic mechanical common sense. If you have 10k or less miles, you can prob re-use the gaskets. If not or you are concerned, have some new ones available. Since you have a Cali '06, it shouldnt be too crusty already (sorry to all you mid west salted road drivers...) Anti-sieze is available at every parts store and you wont need much, just buy the smallest tube you can. It also works well to put a little on the back of your brake pads (the metal side, not the material side ) to help with brake squeeks. Dont forget to flash a stg 2 map or go get a nice custom tune. I am really happy with Harman in Torrance. http://www.harmanmotive.com/index.html .

04-09-2007, 10:46 PM	#8
bigJP STI Driver Car: 04 Sti Location: tampa, FLA Posts: 224 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	ha this is funny, i'm installing mine tomorrow. Glad i saw to work from the heat sheild down, that probably saved me a good hour

04-10-2007, 08:40 AM	#10
STI_Mike S204 Racer Car: 05 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Defi Gauges Location: Laguna Niguel,Ca Posts: 2,918 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	it's easy i've done it like 4 times myself

04-15-2007, 07:55 PM	#11
WESTI Gold Member Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: HKS CARBON TI Location: Irvine, Ca Posts: 5,226 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	what are the torque specs for the bolts on the downpipe and midpipe?