Just wondering if installing a cat back exhaust is as straight forward as it seems. Can anyone with a reasonable amount of mechanical skill get it done in 4 hours or less? Are there any additional parts I might need besides an exhaust gasket?

 

The toughest part will just be removing the bolts if they've been on the car forever. Other than that, it should only take 15 minutes to bolt it up.

TIP: Use some WD-40 in the rubber hangers to get the old catback off the car.

 

The only hard part is if you have rusted hardware. Other than that, if you can turn a wrench you are good to go.

 

Great. Thanks for the quick response.

 

LISTEN, er, READ, this tip. I spent more time trying to get the hangers out then actually changing the exhaust. It was easy just took me too long to figure out I needed to lubricate the rubber hangers befor I try to pry them out.

Also, use to penetrating oil (PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, WD40) on the bolts. I left mine soaking overnight... mostly because I was to lazy to do it that night.

 

One of the easier jobs to do on this car ......... assuming the parts fit correctly

To get the rubber hangers off, put some grease or lubricant inside. Then take a large channel lock, and squeeze the metal nub into the rubber hanger. Once you get it started, it will come off easily.

 

Great tips so far. Again, thanks!

 

i dont live to far away and still spend most of my time in sunnyvale i could help you out if you need it?

 

yup exhaust is like a 15 minute installation, just getting the bolts off and lubricating hangers is all it takes.. assuming this is a catback made for ur car

 

just 2 bolts...though 1 of mine was a huge bitch...wish i would have used lube for the hangars too, never thought of that...even so very easy. 1 thing to watch is the o2 ground? i heard some people missing it and thats not good. but its easy just make sure u put it back on to the bolt!

 

The best way I have found to install/remove a cat back is to first remove bolts from the cat/midpipe, then the rear outside muffler hanger from the chassis (I believe its 2-12mm bolts), then the rear inside hanger will slide right out. After that pull the cat back towards to rear to clear the studs on the cat (if no studs then this is not needed) remove the bolt/stud on the diff which holds the rubber hanger by the cat/midpipe, or if room permits you can just rotate/wiggle it out.

Install is reverse order.

The first time I did it, it took me like a good 1hr or more just to remove the stock cat back, then I was looking around the chassis and got smart, took me no more than 10 mins to reinstall and torque everything to spec, and drop the car.

 

Crap - the exhaust system came with a vial written in Japanese. It said to refer to the instructions for proper use but this vail isn't referenced in the English instructions. Anyone have an idea what it's for. Smells like metal polish and it's a white paste. Did any of you guys have to use a gasket sealer?

Help!

 

do you have metal gaskets in the kit that you were sent? if not, I guess the company sent you this gasket sealer to take the place of it. I'm assuming the sealer is a heat resistant compound that will harden when the heat gets to it (don't quote me on this). Is there any labeling on the bottle? if you know the brand of the material look for it on line and see what the temp range is for the material, if the temp range is high, then it can be placed between the flanges of the exhaust where the exhaust parts connect. Let us know what you find.

 

i just thought of something. is this a kit that is sold in the US but you had bought it from japan?? If so, check the parts listing for the US kit and see if the US kit has exhaust gaskets. If the US kit has the gaskets, that would explain why there was no note of the vial in the US instructions.

 

The gasket seems to be some sort of metallic/paper?/metal sandwhich. I bought a Tanabe racing exhaust here locally.

 

hmm, that sould be fine then if you have the gaskets, not sure what that stuff would be then, sorry dude. as long s you have the us install instructions, I'd go with those. if anything call up the place you bought the exhaust from and ask them about the vial.

 

The vial ended up metal polish. Thanks to all who gave input.