So sometime tomorrow i am gonna install my Zred test pipes, I was wondering if anyone can give me a quick how to on this, or if it is just easier to have a muffler shop do it for me. What all is gonna be involved? removing crossmember? size of bolts? easiest way to do it? anyhelp would be great.


I think this site needs a how-to section for stuff like this, and also a full 1\4 mile times list of any members who care to be listed with all their mods.

thanks

 

I tried to do it myself but couldn't get the bolts to turn, I paid a guy at a muffler shop around $80 to do it for me, he got them off easily with an impact wrench. If you really want to do it yourself, get some break-free and anti-seize for the O2 sensors. Also, depending on the type of test pipes, you will need some bolts and washers. Good luck!

 

you have three bolts to remove from the exhaust manifold and 2 on the other side leading to the factory ypipe. you also remove the o2 sensors. to remove the 3 bolts, it will be easier if you have a long long extention on a ratchet and take them out through the top, the boom ones are a piece of cake. if you still cant do it, give me a call and i will help you out.

 

I did it from the bottom, on 3 different Z's and it really wasn't hard at all.

 

how did u get to the top 3 bolts from the bottom?

 

there are 5 bolts total. 4 are easily reachable from the bottom of the car, but 2 (one on each pipe) are put in the opposite way and if you have the proper tools can be reached easier from through the engine bay.

Remember the Cats get VERY hot, let the car cool for an hour or so before you start messing with it. And since the cats get so hot, the screws are really hard to get off.

 

am i suppose to be using the stock bolts and everything to put on the test pipes, if so, how the hell do u get the stock bolts out of the factory flange, help!!! i got the stockers down and now im stuck

 

don't bother with the stock ones they are a pain in the BUTT, just go to your local hardware store and get ALL new bolts and you will be MUCH MUCH happier in the end. I was having HUGE issues with this install because I was trying to use teh stock ones, as soon as I realized that it was too big of a pain, it was a snap.

 

How much does the car smell after installing these test pipes? I have them sitting on my floor ready for install, but wanted to know what to expect first...

 

It does smell strongly, I've gotten used to it though I only smell it when I'm stopped with my windows down

 

Will cops notice it, that's what I worry about. NoVA police are overzealous terds...

 

You can get pulled over in VA for smelling? Here no one cares unless you street race or drive drunk.

 

LOL, this is the state that charges you with 90 days in jail for a reckless ticket, thats why I ask...

 

I asked a patient of mine, who is a cop, he said, "I don;t even check for that kind of stuff even on the done up hondas, if they have all the engine stuff, we send them to a check point that they have to go to by a certain date and they say if it passes on not and how to fix it" only a fix it ticket, he said he doesn't carry all the smog check stuff with him, he said there is no way he could do that.

I will, if I get puled over for speeding, shut off the engine right away, also if they are at a light behind you, don't idol, just shut it off, then it turns green ad pull away slowly and get in another lane, no way they can tell

 

No smell with the RT's thats the best part.

 

I can deal with the smell for a few hundred less

 

well i got them on, went down to home depot and just bought new hardware for the installation as i couldnt wait to get them on, the smell is definately there when sitting with the windows down, btu other than that no big deal, if you have ever ridden in a nother car without cats you know the smell and get use to it, all and all the only downfall i dont like about the test pipes is the raspiness between 3-4k, but hopefulyl with the injen SES it will clear that out a bit, then again it could make it worse, oh well its the quest for more power, ill live with it, all my friends thinks it sound like a indy car now, alright well thank you zred

 

Let us know if it gets worse.

My guess, The exhaust will amplify everything.

 

That's what I've heard too.