I attempted to install the Borla tonight but I ran into a few problems. The pipes that connect to the cats were marked LH and RH. None of the other pipes have any kind of marks or labels on them. I can't seem to get the H-pipe to stay together. As soon as I add a few more pieces after the H-pipe the "H" begins to seperate.

Either I am doing something wrong or something is wrong with the exhaust itself.

Whats funny is the only pipes that are labeled are the ones that don't need to be. The pipes that connect to the cats can only go to the correct cat. The mid pipes and resonators should have been labeled because they can be installed on either side!!! How f-ing hard would it have been to put a sticker on each piece with a part number. Even when you buy Korean made furniture that you have to assemble yourself, each piece has a label!!!

Can someone here please point me in the right direction? I am going to call Borla tomorrow but I doubt they will be much help.

 

Pictures would help. You might have gotton two left sided pipes or two righted sided pipes by mistake. This has happened to others including myself. My supplier just ordered a new exhaust and gave me the correct one.

 

It shouldn't be that hard...try searching for "borla td exhaust install" there are a few websites out there that also have instructions with pictures...if you're not sure, match the hangers to the stock ones so you'll know which side they are...good luck!

 

Well the first problem I am having is the H-pipe. According to the spec chart they should both be the same size but one is an inch longer. That may not be the problem because there appears to be plenty of room for adjustments with the mid pipe.

I think my main problem is I don't know which pipe goes on what side. Maybe once I get the right pipes on the right side the h-pipe will stay together. I gave up for tonight. I am going to try again tomorrow night.

I really can't believe Borla didn't label the pieces. How hard would that have been to do!!!


bugsbbunny,
The pipes with the hangers attached only line up on one side. So I am positive I have those correct. It is the h-pipes and the resonator pipes that can go on either side.

 

delete

 

I had the same problem. My H pipe came apart when I was driving. Make sure you put the whole system together and use a strap to bring the two pieces of the H pipe together.

It's a bit tricky but it is ok

 

I like Borla but it sure does have a lot of pieces. Its like a erector set. Do you install it or build it?

 

I just looked at it again and I believe my problem is the h-pipes. I think they were cut too short. When I connect them so the h part fits completely inside each other The h pipe assembly won't line up with the down pipes from the cats. If I attach it to the down pipes the h pipe portion pulls apart. Not all the way apart but enough to expose the slits in the inner pipe which would cause it to leak. Basically, if the actual h portion of the h pipes was an inch longer I would be all set.

I already talked to Borla and they said it is possible the h pipe was cut too short.
My option now is to just bring the H-pipe to a local muffler shop and have them weld it. Which I was planning on doing anyway. Or having a new H-pipe sent to me.

I am going to call JSC Speed and see if they have another Borla exhaust in stock so they can measure the H-pipe on that set. If there's is longer than the one I have then I will swap parts. If there's is the same then I think I am just going to get it welded.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Kind of.

One of our G35 buddies was having hell with the pipes coming off the catalytic converters. He spend hours and several different configurations but still couldn't get it right. Come to find out he had two right pipes instead of a left and a right.

I’m sure that his and your situation must be frustrating as hell. Best of luck.

 

Well I got it together. I called JSC speed and had them measure an H pipe from another system they had in stock. It measured the same as mine so I decided to give it one more shot before I asked JSC speed to ship me a new system. This time I installed the down pipes to the cats and left them slightly loose. I then installed the h pipes and banged them together until the h part was fully seated. I then clamped the H in the h pipes together to the recommended 35ft lbs before I installed the rest of the exhaust. That kept the H-pipe from seperating while I Installed the rest of the exhaust. I still think the H pipe isnt quite right but I was able to get it to work. There doesn't appear to be any leaks so I guess all is well. Only time and some hard driving will tell.

I still have to adjust the exhaust slighlty because the right tip is about 1/8th of an inch lower than the left. It's barely noticeable but I know it can be fixed easily I just didn't have any time left to do it.

Thanks everyone for your help. I will try to get some sound clips once the weather breaks.

 

I adjusted the tips today. I was able to get them so they extend past the rear bumper perfectly but I can't adjust their height. The height doesn't appear to be adjustable. The only way I can see to fix it would be to heat and bend the hanger or the pipe going to the tip on the passenger side and bend it up slightly. A different rubber hanger may also fix this minor problem.

I may just leave it alone because it is barely noticeable. In fact, no one else has noticed it but me. I measured from the ground to the tips and the passenger tip is about 1/4th of an inch lower.

 

Well adjusting the tips is the least of my problems!

After I installed the exhaust I took it for a quick ride on the highway and everything seemed fine. I drove it home tonight and as soon as a hit a few bumps the exhaust started to rattle like crazy! It is either rubbing on the chassis brace or part of the rear suspension. I won't know where it is rubbing until I can get it back in the air. Before I tightened the clamps I adjusted the pipes as far away from everything as possible. I don't know what to adjust now.

I'm really starting to hate this exhaust system. It sounds and looks great but this install has been a real PITA!

 

You said it started to rattle? Look under the car to see if it's hitting anything, and if installed correctly, you shouldn't have that problem. I think maybe fitment is wrong? Or there are some loose clamps...those clamps should be pretty tight.

 

The passenger pipe is hitting the sway bar. When I installed it I adjusted it so it was as high off the sway bar as I could. I also used a torque wrench to tighten all the clamps to 35ftlbs. For some reason the pipe dropped and is now resting on the sway bar.

I installed the exhaust at the dealership I work at. I then drove the car back home and it's in my garage for the rest of the winter. I am going to bring home a jack and some jack stands so I can try to fix it at home.

Does anyone have any other tips for me?

If I can't figure it out I may just bring it to a local custom muffler shop to have them look at it.

 

Today I tried to adjust the passenger side pipe that is hitting the sway bar. I loosened the clamps but I can't adjust the pipe any higher off of the sway bar. As soon as I put the car back on the ground the pipe is only about 1/8th of an inch off of the sway bar.

Does anyone else here have any suggestions?