Test pipe instal Q

[Trev]

Im picking up my test pipe today and installing it tonight.

Any tips for removing the stock cat? My car has 60k on it.

[Papachristou]

presoak all the bolts with PB blaster or something of the sort a few hours in advance


have plenty of extensions in various lengths as well as some flex head sockets.

also start drinking at least 1 hour in advance to numb some of the pain. also a drinking buddy will be useful holding stuff for you and handing you beers as you curse under the car

[widgget]

gloves and lots of beer.
a DIY might be a good idea too. the bolts can be a bitch to reach... i couldn't get mine off and just ended up cutting the downpipe in half from under the car and pulled it all out as one unit, but i was replacing everything anyway so i didn't care that i cut the downpipe.

Check this out, it's all done from under the car, looks pretty easy compared to doing it from the top (which i think you have to do if you have a tiptronic or cvt since the transmissions are larger and you don't have as much room to pull the cat out, so it has to be done from the top).
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...t=testpipe+diy

[PCYC]

As Chris said BEER

[absolutegtr]

Just make sure the socket has a GOOD grab on the nuts....you dont want to strip them

[Papachristou]

Just make sure the socket has a GOOD grab on the nuts....you dont want to strip them

yes, if you strip something, you will then


i would only use 6 point sockets on them. 12s can strip too easy

[dmott11]

a GOOD grab on the nuts....

yeah, youll need that too.

[trueno429]

12 point is better than 6 point

[widgget]

12 point is more likely to strip the nut since it's not conforming to the nut as much as the 6 point would., the 6 point simply has more surface contact, think about it.

[ExCarpi]

Skip the 6 point and go straight for the torch!

The bolts at the turbo are pretty easy but the others are a B**CH!

[smarrick]

12 point is better than 6 point

Ummm NO! 6 point is for 6 point 12 point is for 12 point. Yes 12 will work on 6 but not as secure.

[Papachristou]

Skip the 6 point and go straight for the torch!

thats the best advice yet!

snap on has some great new six points sockets that grab on the sides not the corners of the nut.

[Trev]

Skip the 6 point and go straight for the torch!

The bolts at the turbo are pretty easy but the others are a B**CH!

Do you mean heat them up?

Iv heard quite a few horror stories about taking out the cat.

12 case already purchased (Thats a given)

[Papachristou]

some can be really stuck, others come of "fairly" easy with a little lubricant and muscle

what mods do you have now? it would be great if you could do a vag com log of before and after with EGTs and boost! also another one of the car cooling down before and after the TP.

[Trev]

Mods at the moment are Vag-com, podi boost gauge and a ecode FMIC.

Picking up my injectors and TP after school today. Im planning on getting it chipped on the way home.

Let me know what you want logged and ill post it up. I have to drive about 75km's to pick up the parts.

[Papachristou]

it would be good to see logs of your EGTs and boost before the test pipe install and then again after you do it. cats hold a lot of heat.

do it after you get flashed!

[Trev]

it would be good to see logs of your EGTs and boost before the test pipe install and then again after you do it. cats hold a lot of heat.

do it after you get flashed!

Ok, Ill do a log of egt's/boost before and after getting chipped, then with the test pipe. What channels should i log?

[ExCarpi]

Do you mean heat them up?

No, I couldn't get the get bolts out at the end of the cat so I used a oxyacetylene cutting torch on the bolts. Then used a punch and they fell out. It was WAY easier! Just don't cut your exhaust. When it was all said and done, you couldn't even tell I used the torch.

It took about 10 minutes for all of them with the torch. As I recall it took 12 hours of PB blaster and crushed knuckles before using the torch. (OK, maybe more like 45 minutes but I was getting impatient)

[Trev]

Hmmmm i have a plasma cutter..... Might just see if i can use that

[ExCarpi]

Just make sure to block the back side with metal plates and wear a good jacket.

Things went a lot smoother!

[kbasham03]

I used a saws- all and cut through the bolts as far as I could then took a BFH and a chisel and broke the bolts off. For sure have at least a 12 pack, gloves, lots of extensions, swivels, a breaker bar and be prepared to swear like a truck driver. If you're doing it without a lift (jackstands or Ramps,) be prepared for your arms, hands, and neck to cramp like hell. Oh, and Have Fun!

[a4wd]

most people say its an hour job...but seriously this job is such a PITA> I was so glad I went to a tuner shop and got it installed for a $100 because the TP actually wasnt a direct fit and the shop did a lil bit of machining to get things to work

[Trev]

Couldn't get it Vaged. I cant seem to keep the vag-com connected.... It connects then a min later it loses it's connection and i have to reconnect.

[widgget]

Couldn't get it Vaged. I cant seem to keep the vag-com connected.... It connects then a min later it loses it's connection and i have to reconnect.

ebay cable huh?

[trueno429]

whatever, i was told in auto class in h.s that the 12 point was always better than the 6..and it seemed that way when we worked

[Trev]

ebay cable huh?

Nope Ross tech. I just got a email back from them. They say the cable is faulty and needs to be replaced...