Downpipe quest
 

Just finished changing out the stock precat with a Bonez dp. I've never felt so defeated and satisfied at the same time. Had a hell of a time aligning the studs back in. I'm glad it's done, but I don't want to do this again.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...07c99bea08.jpg

Good job.
Glad you didn't break any studs.

I remember very distinctly that this job sucked.

Which downpipe is that? Nice that it's coated.

Hahaha he clearly said bonez downpipe (dp)

Agree, the job sucks. But it's a good thing you got that pre-cat off. Have the same DP and think it was that lower-aft stud that caused the most naughty words for me. It was hard to get a good perch on the nut and not round it off.

Yeah! The lower nuts were incredibly tough to tighten. I can't think of any socket that can go over it. I was pretty stressed about rounding off cause I was slipping a bit

I know the feeling. Spent time under the car sobbing at some points, took me 6 weekends and some weeknights to get it completed.

I recommend new studs and exhaust nuts if it’s not too late. FWIW I chased the holes with a tap and used liberal amounts of copper anti-seize going back on.

I changed out my US OEM down pipe with a JDM downpipe, it was hard getting the OEM off, about 3 hours but putting the JDM downpipe on took about 1 hour it fit-up great !

Good job!

I'd also recommend new nuts

Definitely replaced the studs and nuts. Also applied anti-seize on both ends.

Replacing the studs with stainless socket head cap screws makes this job so much easier...

The JDM downpipes offer a straight shot to the 4 studs so you can easily get a socket wrench on each nut. The American downpipes don't do this most times - it's cheaper to have a curved pipe than a cast head section.

The Bonez is nice but it does take some extra work to install.

Dale