Engine swap

MHDBMW12 · 04-23-2023, 09:09 PM

Swapping my engine and I can’t seem to disconnect my downpipes the nuts are rusted completely, blow torch, PB blaster, nut extractor, impact nothing. I got one nut off. I was wondering if it’s possible to pull the downpipes with the whole exhaust if I disconnect the vband clamps off the turbos and the rest of the exhaust.

Buug959 · 04-23-2023, 09:12 PM

Grind or cut the nuts off. You'll be installing new hardware when you put it back together.

MHDBMW12 · 04-23-2023, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buug959

Grind or cut the nuts off. You'll be installing new hardware when you put it back together.

I was thinking it would be easier to just remove the exhaust since I don’t have a grinder or dermal, and the cars on jackstands. I am installing aftermarket downpipes. I would just like to get the engine out first.

Buug959 · 04-23-2023, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MHDBMW12

I was thinking it would be easier to just remove the exhaust since I don’t have a grinder or dermal, and the cars on jackstands. I am installing aftermarket downpipes. I would just like to get the engine out first.

I don't think you'll have room to wiggle the dp's out while still attached to the rest of the exhaust.

whyzee125 · 04-23-2023, 09:21 PM

It may be possible to wiggle it out but I doubt it, the exhaust is pretty wide at the back so you won't get much side to side room. You'll eventually need to cut them off anyway if you're replacing them so I would get a cheap saws-all or a pneumatic cutoff wheel and go to town.

MHDBMW12 · 04-23-2023, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

It may be possible to wiggle it out but I doubt it, the exhaust is pretty wide at the back so you won't get much side to side room. You'll eventually need to cut them off anyway if you're replacing them so I would get a cheap saws-all or a pneumatic cutoff wheel and go to town.

Okay thanks I’ll try cutting them first.

MHDBMW12 · 04-23-2023, 09:49 PM

I just looked at a couple sawzall options and cutoff wheels they look large. It would be difficult to reach the upper nuts.

whyzee125 · 04-23-2023, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MHDBMW12

I just looked at a couple sawzall options and cutoff wheels they look large. It would be difficult to reach the upper nuts.

Try an air chisel and you may be able to buzz them off.

MHDBMW12 · 04-23-2023, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Try an air chisel and you may be able to buzz them off.

Shoot I would but I don’t have a compressor.

Brian86 · 04-23-2023, 10:49 PM

The Inconel studs + copper nuts that BMW used back in the 90s were brilliant. I miss those guys.

They don't sell replacement studs anymore either.

MHDBMW12 · 04-23-2023, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian86

The Inconel studs + copper nuts that BMW used back in the 90s were brilliant. I miss those guys.

They don't sell replacement studs anymore either.

These are such a pain.

rt7085 · 04-24-2023, 05:39 AM

That's brilliant. Great tip.

Suvorovo · 04-24-2023, 07:31 AM

Be careful, disconnect o2 sensors when using air tools. my friend went to a shop to remove the exhaust for a clutch job and the shop ruined his lower o2 sensors. Had the balls to charge him for it too.

Bmw1939 · 04-24-2023, 09:32 PM

Or a hand chisel. Just make sure it is sharp.

04-23-2023, 09:09 PM	#1
MHDBMW12 Private First Class 13 Rep 177 Posts Drives: BMW 335Xi Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Engine swap Swapping my engine and I can’t seem to disconnect my downpipes the nuts are rusted completely, blow torch, PB blaster, nut extractor, impact nothing. I got one nut off. I was wondering if it’s possible to pull the downpipes with the whole exhaust if I disconnect the vband clamps off the turbos and the rest of the exhaust.
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04-23-2023, 09:12 PM	#2
Buug959 Captain 17572 Rep 873 Posts Drives: 335xi E90, GMC Sierra, VW Golf Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Nova Scotia iTrader: (0)	Grind or cut the nuts off. You'll be installing new hardware when you put it back together. __________________ Wha' da ya mean? No brakes never stopped anyone before!
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04-23-2023, 09:21 PM	#5
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1688 Rep 3,650 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	It may be possible to wiggle it out but I doubt it, the exhaust is pretty wide at the back so you won't get much side to side room. You'll eventually need to cut them off anyway if you're replacing them so I would get a cheap saws-all or a pneumatic cutoff wheel and go to town.
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04-23-2023, 09:49 PM	#7
MHDBMW12 Private First Class 13 Rep 177 Posts Drives: BMW 335Xi Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I just looked at a couple sawzall options and cutoff wheels they look large. It would be difficult to reach the upper nuts.
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04-23-2023, 10:49 PM	#10
Brian86 Captain 638 Rep 766 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e91 325xi, N50 Xterra Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	The Inconel studs + copper nuts that BMW used back in the 90s were brilliant. I miss those guys. They don't sell replacement studs anymore either. __________________ Sometimes a bolt is just a bolt.
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04-24-2023, 05:39 AM	#12
rt7085 Private 30 Rep 71 Posts Drives: E91 328xi wagon / Mercedes GTS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: West Newton, MA iTrader: (0)	That's brilliant. Great tip.
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04-24-2023, 07:31 AM	#13
Suvorovo Lieutenant 257 Rep 502 Posts Drives: Broken e90 330xi 6MT Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Be careful, disconnect o2 sensors when using air tools. my friend went to a shop to remove the exhaust for a clutch job and the shop ruined his lower o2 sensors. Had the balls to charge him for it too.
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04-24-2023, 09:32 PM	#14
Bmw1939 Lieutenant 269 Rep 462 Posts Drives: BMW 2011 328i, 2008 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Or a hand chisel. Just make sure it is sharp.
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