[onegoodreason2001]

Hey guys,

Cars on ramps and all the bolts/clamps are off on the first downpipe, but she's up their tighter than a nuns.....

It wiggle, but I can't get her to break free anybody have any tips?

[kanecvl]

wd40 and patience

[Bimmer This]

pry bar and a hammer. put pry bar on the sticking end and tap with hammer.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by kanecvl

wd40 and patience

[ETS Michael]

PB Blaster?

[Forcefed3]

PB blaster, its an absolute must.

[onegoodreason2001]

Thx Comedians.

The cold and the lack of clearance and leverage using just using Rhino ramps forced me to abort and take to an exhaust shop. I simply couldn't get the downpipe to clear the studs and remove from the exhaust.

[Bimmer This]

I've seen DP installs done on jack stands before. It can be done

[onegoodreason2001]

Sure, it CAN be done. But, I'd rather not mess something up. I literally had everything off one downpipe and couldn't get it to budge more than a wiggle. Those damn pressed studs on the downpipe end. I'm not a wuss and work-out regularly. The exhaust was stiff as hell in the 30 degree temps I was working at and didn't flex enough. With the limited leverage on ramps, I'd rather pay $170 than fight the system. I got dirty and tried though.

[Chefcg1]

you really need to loosen the exhaust up further down the line right in front of the resonator. It's a torex nut and that will give you the movement you needed. I've done it on ramps about 5 times now in under 2 hours. The first time is a bitch, but after you get used to it, it is pretty simple. I think the hardest part was getting those 2 nuts that attached to the side of the stock DP's.

[Chefcg1]

$170 is a good price

[cn555ic]

You need to loosen the exhaust bracket on the rear near the tranny pan and then use a crow bar and push the bolt from the dp out over the bracket that holds it in place...ANyway now that your going to a shop, this advice is useless!

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

You need to loosen the exhaust bracket on the rear near the tranny pan and then use a crow bar and push the bolt from the dp out over the bracket that holds it in place...ANyway now that your going to a shop, this advice is useless!

That's good advice, I'm sure someone else will use it.

[onegoodreason2001]

I removed the exhaust bracket after the downpipe connection. I think a crow bar is reasonable, but I think having a lift and be able to pull down is a better option that having a few inches being squeezed under there in under freezing temps and a stiff frozen-over-hell exhaust. I didn't want to put more stress on the turbos side flanges and risk warping or chewing them. up Hopefully, money well spent. But again, I tried.

[cn555ic]

Originally Posted by onegoodreason2001

I removed the exhaust bracket after the downpipe connection. I think a crow bar is reasonable, but I think having a lift and be able to pull down is a better option that having a few inches being squeezed under there in under freezing temps and a stiff frozen-over-hell exhaust. I didn't want to put more stress on the turbos side flanges and risk warping or chewing them. up Hopefully, money well spent. But again, I tried.

Yeah I hear you because I also did my install on rhino ramps and during the winter and the cold floor and little space was very difficult to do for sure...It took me over 8 hours over a course of a week to do it! lol I did take my time but also most of the time was getting the bolts which held the dps in place, once I got those nuts off, it was smooth sailing... Best investment i have spent for sure....N54 is killer with addition of DPs

[Brey335i]

I did the install on ramps. Not really all that difficult. You just have to be willing to loosen things

[iBoost]

You're getting DPs installed for $170? Fudge the hassle, thats a good deal.

[cn555ic]

Originally Posted by iBoost

You're getting DPs installed for $170? Fudge the hassle, thats a good deal.

For a 170 bucks that is really a good deal. I have a feeling the installer has no idea how much more difficult it is on a N54! Normal price range is like 250-300 from what I see

[JayD]

going to get catless DP's next. Do they drone at all? Are they much louder than stock? Already have BMW performance exhaust and like the sound but don't want droning or anything much louder

[onegoodreason2001]

No, they don't drone with the stock exhaust. It's a little louder and deeper, but not that noticeable. Nice, but not a huge sound gain as I imagine adding a catback as well would provide.

Cold start ups are definitely louder and there seems to be a little more vibration from the engine (rumble) - not that it's like a Big Block V8. More like the motors been slightly untamed. Once it's warmed up, it goes back to butter. I've always thought these cars were a little rough on cold weather start ups for a straight six.

But, I live in Utah and it's been cold since the install. Like only a few days in the high 30's and several days that stayed in the 20's with lows in the single digits - not like the rest of the country has been basking in warm weather.

Slight increase in sound and the snappiness they add to acceleration are well worth it. Next week, a Helix intercooler gets added to the package.

Good luck!

[onegoodreason2001]

Yeah - 170 turned into 270 and, I ended up helping. He would have done it for 170, but they worked on it longer than what he thought they would. I thought it fair to throw another bill.

I had to get the rear clamp on (they couldn't get it to go) and help button it up so I could get it out of the shop before closing time on a Friday. That rear turbo clamp is a B*%#c, since there not a lot of room to maneuver it and it has to go on just so. Once the bolt starts in the clamp, its not that big of a deal.

My advice get the clamp clamp close (finger tight) and the use some channel locks to get to close the gap and then start the bolt.

[Veeemdoubleu]

torch and PB blaster....WD40 noobs