I am in the process of making / fitting a de-cat down pipe to my 94 wrx wagon (i have the usual mods , k+n and dump valve ) will the engine need setting up after fitting or will the e.c.u sort it out itself

 

ECU should sort it - you might need to fiddle with restrictor sizes if it overboosts so much that the boost control is underdamped (peak, trough then hold - small peak in 5th gear of 1 PSI is ideal I would say). Poor boost control can cause det of course.

 

I have a D/P to fit and was wondering what sort of 'delights' will be coming my way. In the past when having to remove exhaust manifolds from Norm Aspirated Engines I run car to norm operating tempature and if needed get a gas torch on those stud bolts, 8/10 times they were real pigs so the torch was needed. Will I be needing a torch for the turbo bolts ?? Have many of you had this kind of problem ??
Ive forgoten about lagging and I doubt ill get the original heat shield back on so which stuff is best to get?

 

When I replaced my downpipe it was the heatshield bolts that were the most difficult part. A 10mm ratchet spanner is a good idea here. When I finally got the heatshield off I gave the downpipe bolts on the turbo a good soaking in WD40 and left them for half an hour. Then I soaked them again and went and had lunch. When I came back I put the socket wrench on them, a few taps on the wrench with a hammer (CAREFULL!!) and they came off quite easily. Maybe I was lucky, I've heared a few horror stories on here about having to take the turbo off to be re-studded

[Edited by DreXeL - 12/29/2002 10:53:12 AM]

 

Yeah agree with drexel, lots of wd40 or gt85 type of stuff is needed. They shouldn't be too much trouble if you soak them before trying to get em off, the mistake I made when changing mine was starting the job, realising I'd ran out of wd40 and having a go anyway
James

 

Thanks for pointers, a search on 'fitting downpipe' echos what your all saying so patience and WD40 is the key.

Ive got springs to put on as well so Im gonna do that today so that Ill be able to use the car to get its 4 Wheel alignement tomorrow. If I do the D/p and somthing goes wrong I wont be able to get the car to the Garage tomorrow.

Ive done loads of springs on my Astras and most of them needed severe heating, a Gas Torch and lots of mental pain!! So hopefully this should be a walk in the park ?!