rxshun7

I am going to install my efini y-pipe and wanted to know if I needed to remove my air pump to create enough clearance to pull the y-pipe out. It looks as though I am going to have to, but I haven't gotten a chance to take a real good look yet. If so, does this means that I will have to remove several of the belts also? If anyone has any tips, please post them here. Thanks in advance.

Fd3BOOST

iTrader: (7)

Yes the smog pump is gonna have to come out. (god people still use these. I thought just about everyone has take theirs out of the car by now) The coresponding belt will obviously have to come loose with it. You also have to take loose the secondary turbo inlet pipe. THen you will be able to access the y pipe assembly. You'll have to take the front and rear portion out together. Once you have it out you can pull them apart and reinsert the new front section into the rear section. Finally you will be able to mount them back down on the turbos and reassemble the remaining pieces.

rxshun7

I read rob robinette's how to on the y-pipe and it mentions all that you have stated above. However, in one of rob's previous jobs he removed his air pump so it didn't have to be dealt with during the y-pipe swap. I guess its not gonna be as easy as I thought. If I remove the belt and the pump, am I going to need a shorter belt as a substitute? Thanks for your help.

Fd3BOOST

iTrader: (7)

Yes you are. I've done this mod myself and suggest the same to antone. You can get the pulleys and belt through pettit for about $120. It will drop your temps when you take the smog pump off. Also an added bonus now you will get to see your primary turbo when you have the hood up!! Also that pump must weigh at least 20 lps. I say toss it. Makes for a better engine bay to work in.

ttpowerd

It weighs about 9lbs actually I got greddy pulleys for the shorter belt.

mr_jonboy

I got my y-pipe in without taking the airpump off. It was tricky in a few spots to manuever it around to pull it out and put the new one in but ,,,HEY, at least I didn't have to take the pump off. So yes, it can be done. The time you save from not removing the pump you will prolly spend in getting the y-pipe out. But you dont risk messing anything else up from taking the pump off.

jr

Whoa whoa, the airpump has to come off for installation, but there's no reason you can't put it back on once you get the Y-Pipe in there. I have the Efini Y-Pipe and I'm still running the air pump.

ttpowerd

Even if you pull the airpump off there is almost no way to mess anything up. Takes about 5 min to take it off and then about 10 to put it back on.

jspecracer7

So does anyone have a stock American "Y" pipe. I keep hearing the Efini "Y" pipe thing....sheet....I've got 2 right now doing nothing

jr

Here's a pic of the stock Y-Pipe http://jrx7.rx7life.com/images/Parts...Pipe/YPipe.JPG
You want it? It's for sale!

ttpowerd

Van,
Put those 2 up for sale on the forum and I am sure you can come away with around $300 if you sell both.

jspecracer7

Bryan, let me get a pic up(It's 4 10 a.m. here and I'm posting pics of "Y" pipes)...

mr_jonboy

The airpump does not have to come off for installation of the y-pipe b/c I did it. I have never taken my airpump out.

mjw

iTrader: (1)

Mr. Jonboy is right, the airpump does not need to be removed to do the install. I have done it myself as well, it gets tight in a couple spots but you can work around it. I did have to loosen the adjustment bolt on the airpump and kind of push it down out of the way.. I was just lazy.

Matt

ronarndt

additional tips:
1. You *may* be able to separate the front section of the stock y-pipe without removing the back section from the car. It is going to depend on if you can tilt the front section enough to clear the front turbo mounting studs. Do not pry too hard or with too big a pry bar, as the resulting "snap" as your Y-pipe cracks will give you an unforgettable feeling in the pit of your stomach.
2. Lubricate the sh*t out of the o-ring on the new y-pipe. It will allow it to slide in place much easier. Use oil or ATF. Also- make sure it does not get pinched as you install it or it will get cut and leak.
3. Elongate the holes on the mounting flange of the front section to make oblong slots to allow the front section to slip over the mounting studs easier during re-assembly. Use a drill and drill bit. the aluminum will be easy to rock the drill back and forth to elongate the holes.
4. The steel gasket for the front turbo-y-pipe connection for my installation was hidden in the bottom of the shipping box. I did not find it until I had the pipe installed with the old gasket. The old gasket can be used if it is not broken.
4. Follow the advice of the previous posts and take your air pump off to make access to the y-pipe easier. If your state does not require smog testing, you may want to leave it off and get the shorter drive belt. Remove all the inlet air hoses and top of stock air box, so they are out of the way.
Ron A.

jspecracer7

This is what my "Y" pipe looks like. Can someone post a pic of the "Efini Y pipe"?

Rotarius Maximus

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly does this "smog pump" do, and why is it so easily dispensible?

jspecracer7

Smog pump pumps fresh air into the catalytic converter to burn of excess fuel and to keep the catalytic converter from clogging up so fast. It's an emissions device. Can be gotten rid of by installing a Greddy pulley Kit. Also is gotten rid of because it sits in front of the turbine's, not allowing an aftermarket intercooler to be installed with ease.

ttpowerd

Van, That's the stock y-pipe. THe efini one does not have the coupler joining the y section and the cross-over tube but instead has a gasket and 2 bolts.

jspecracer7

I've never seen an "Efini" Y pipe then. I only have my raggedy POS JspecYpipe

It'll be gone in about a month. 60-1 turbine's going on soon

ttpowerd

Sweet! Is that small 3rd and 2nd gen rx7's on the table behind the y-pipe

jr

rxshun7

I don't have access to an impact gun so it will be a lot harder for me to remove the belts and pulleys. I heard someone mention a pulley wrench. Anyways, I'm going to try to remove it with the air pump intact. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for all the replies.

jr

Dude, you don't need to take the pulley off to remove the air pump, it's just held on with 2 bolts a hose and an electrical connector.

ttpowerd

You don't need an impact wrench to get off the air pump! There is one bolt underneath the pulley and on above it. Loosen them both, remove the belt from around the pulley, and then remove the pump. It is not that hard and makes things a lot easier.