The pain of installing a DP and spark plugs
 

I have just finished replacing my spark plugs and wires and I wish I could meet the man who decided it would be a good idea to place a bundle of wires and a few grounds directly below the plug ports. What a PINA!

On another note.. I'm finishing up my DP install today and am guessing that I have probably logged over 40 hours on this project. Trying to hold the DP with 1 hand while starting a bolt into the manifold is tough!!! At one point I decided to use a nylon rope which I slipped over the DP and ran up through the engine bay in a futile attempt to mount the pos. But, just like most everything else that I tried it too failed miserably. Once I finally got a bolt started... Can you guess what happened? If you said the gasket came off you win. After using my trusty super long needle nose pliers to readjust the gasket I was then able to get bolts 2 and 3 started only to find myself in the same boat that I was in while removing the DP. Zero space for tools, lots of small sharp clamps and heat shields, etc... So, I broke down and went to a local hardware shop for quite a few various size allen bolts. S

Well, guess my break is over so on my way back out the garage to finish this thing. Ill come back and post pics of the entire ordeal later if anyone is interested in checking them out.

It feels nice to vent btw...

DP can sort of a pain in the ass however the trick to doing plugs is to go from underneath the car. Sure it sounds like extra work to jack the car up and everything but seriously there is NOTHING in your way compared to going at it from the top. No hassle and no risk it messing anything up while you worm your arm/hand/tool in from the top.

Next time you have the car up just take a glance and I bet you never do the plugs from the top again...that is unless your already doing work with things off from the top.

i can literally change my plugs in about 3 minutes. No power steering, no emissions.


Plugs are easiest with all the stock parts in place by going through the bottom. BUT, removing those parts and it's cake city.

I have my UIM off waiting for plugs and wires to arrive. I hope that makes it much easier than you guys described.

lol.....then just WAIT until you do the fuel filter! :egrin:

I would put on 10 downpipes and change 100 spark plugs AT NO COST in exchange for the fuel filter change!

LOL I second that, well, a bit exaggerated but yea. Have fun with your fuel filter =)

^hahah.. same here. Im glad a single turbo down pipe is super easy, and my little brother changes my spark plugs:D

Re:
 

Yea, I did change the plugs from underneath the car, but it was still a PITA due to those wrapped wires. Anyways... Still working on getting my DP on. I changed out the first bolt I put on with an 8mm allen bolt which is about the same size as the original stud. When I say same size I mean the length of the original stud (all of it) is about the same size as my new 8mm allen bolt (has threads from top to bottom). I'm about 2 threads shy of getting it flush with the DP, but it has become increasingly difficult to turn so I was wondering if I needed smaller bolts since the original stud only screws into the housing like 10mm... Thoughts?

Which brand of downpipe are you installing?

re: dp brand
 

hks

I've never understood why people find changing plugs so difficult. Just pull the elbow of the throttle body and you've got direct access.

That's strange, I have the HKS unit and installation was not that time consuming on my RX7. My advice is to be patient and if things seem to get out of hand when it comes to install, take a step back and evaluate the approach. It really only took me single evening stretch to drop the stock unit and install the HKS dp.

[QUOTE=grimple1;9911012]i can literally change my plugs in about 3 minutes. No power steering, no emissions.


Same here....also fuel filter in 10 minutes. Air filter over single turbo in 5 minutes......etc, etc.



later

[quote=badddrx7;9911771]:bowdown:

My hat is off to you, sir.

Anyway, back to the downpipe. I put on a Petitt unit and had literally NO trouble. Took about and hour and a half the first time I did it, and about 30 minutes the second time. Once you get everything turned just right and lined up, it USUALLY isn't much more of a hassle than dealing with the limited access to put the nuts on the studs. IF you are using bolts instead of the studs....I can see this being a bit more of a problem.

On The DP installation, you may want to loosely bolt up the other end, and then use a jack to raise it up to the proper height. This should make it easier to line up the studs.