andyj775

iTrader: (1)

hi everyone, well i attempted to swap my uppipe, downpipe and midpipe all in one go last night (2004 wrx). was going ok once i got the heat shields off the turbo and headers etc, dropped the downpipe and midpipe as one and got them out the way, but got to the part where i needed to wiggle the uppipe out of the bay and i just couldn't do it (got wedged between engine/subframe). i unbolted the top heat shield from the uppipe too and still couldn't get it out.


just wondering if anyone in the north west has experience of getting these out, i've re-assemled the exhaust back together for now so the car drives, but feel like i need a helping hand to sort this properly. im from hawarden, near queensferry. will travel if needed, and also will pay. i also have a unit too if you want to come to me! thanks in advance

Andy

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

Daft question but have you unbolted it totally from where it connects to the turbo? It sits partially bolted through a mount that comes off when you do a turbo swap.

andyj775

iTrader: (1)

hi there, thanks for the reply. yes it was completely unbolted, it looked like the original heatshields on it were digging into the subframe and preventing it from sliding out. headers were removed for maximum access too. id say it was about half way out (from underneath) before it would wedge and not come out any more. cheers

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

Did you get the uppipe off the retaining bracket that bolts to the head?
Heres a pic of what holds it back

andyj775

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the reply. If removing the far left stud enables the uppipe to drop from that bracket then yes I did split the uppipe from this. It dropped from these stud holes by quite a lot. As i said before, if anyone wants to lend a hand for some £ then feel free to let me know :-) cheers

mike h

iTrader: (10)

Have you tried slackening the engine mounts and "moving" the engine a bit to create a little more clearance.

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

Meant to say, the EGT sensor may be preventing it from coming out if you have rotated it much.

andyj775

iTrader: (1)

Oh right, I see what you mean now! Yes quite possibly wasn't helping matters by twisting the pipe! Well after some research today it looks like the engine mounts are the next option. Do I disconnect just the pitch mount underneath the top mount intercooler or drivers side mount aswell?

Cheers

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

I dont understand how you are still having bother getting it out matey, it is a fairly straight bit of pipe (albeit with a heatshield) there is more than enough room for it to drop down as nothing is connected to it. Do you have any pics?

andyj775

iTrader: (1)

hi i don't have any pics, as ive reassembled everything to be able to use the car. but ive looked into undoing the engine mounts and lifting the engine for a bit of extra clearance, so im going to attempt it after work tomorrow. this way there will be no rush to piece it all back together if it goes wrong

will update tomorrow

andyj775

iTrader: (1)

just a quick update......

up pipe FITTED
prodrive downpipe FITTED
decatted midpipe FITTED
STi intercooler FITTED



lifted the engine 2 inches to get the required clearance, then uppipe finally came out! think i have a slight blow on downpipe gasket, as there is a whistling noise around 2000rpm which eventually goes when higher up the revs. i am fitting a vf34 soon so the gasket can wait until then!

feels a lot less laggy, sounds a lot sportier now. overall very happy with it.

thanks for the advice

andy