how difficult is it to install a downpipe?

should i, a novice, attempt to do it myself; or, should i pay someone else to do it?

 

diy, not hard at all... just put the car on ramps and grab some tools

 

It could either be very easy or very hard. There are plenty of horror stories on this forum of people breaking off studs. I made some mistakes, and that turned an otherwise easy job into a lost weekend (I am also a novice). If you know someone who has a little experience, it wouldn't hurt to have them look over your shoulder while you do it.

Even though I f**ked a few things up, I never needed any outside help and I never broke anything on the car. You CAN do it yourself. It's a good project to start on and a great way to learn.

 

get PB Blaster...and let it soak on the nuts....it will be your best friend.

 

It's a pain in the ***, but pretty easy. I had trouble getting a wrench on a few of the studs bceause of the tight space to operate in. Let's just say big hands and forearms are not a good combination for working on an FD.

Once I had the right tools to get at all of the studs it took me about 10 minutes to get the studs out. Getting the downpipe back on is a little tricky as well. AS long as you go slow and are patient with it it's no big deal. I took off all my intake piping the night before, sprayed everything with PB Blast and then went at it the next day. I got 3 of 4 to come out with no trouble. The last one I couldn't get a socket on. I thought it was seized, but I soaked it overnight with PB Blast, and I bought a 2 inch extension for my socket wrench the next day. After that it was a piece of cake.

 

definately search all the forum to get some directions before you start and break something. if you can't deal with it, get it done by a reputable rotary shop. it should cost you around $200 for labor. it's a great mod that you won't regret.

 

GO ahead and do it yourself, you'll feel better! I did it myself and ran into a couple problems but then I went around them and fixed it. It just makes you feel better cause you did something to your car. It's very easy just could take some time.