Most efficient way to remove down pipes? automatic.

[j-dells]

Ive been reading through some DIYs and they are all from around 05-08 and was wondering if anyone found a quick way to remove the downpipes? Ive heard that you can take out the tranny mounts and then the down pipe will come right out, Ive heard that going from the top by removing the turbo piping and heat shields, and ive heard some say stuff about dropping the subframe.

No one was really clear on what way should be used maybe a matter of preference but What have you tried or know to work well?

[vavJETTAw36]

Just did mine on a manual this weekend. I can only imagine it's the same with an extra blockage being the mount bracket. To do mine I move the wheel, axle and axle shield away and that gave me access to bottom 3 nuts. Then moved intake related stuff and coolant tank to gain access to top nuts.

Luckily the PO didn't add heat shields so I didn't have to struggle with those.


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[spennerus]

I have a tip, and have had mine out a couple times. You don't have to remove any mounts or drop the subframe, but it is very tight. The heat shields are the biggest pain, but it's fairly straight forward.

[j-dells]

I have a tip, and have had mine out a couple times. You don't have to remove any mounts or drop the subframe, but it is very tight. The heat shields are the biggest pain, but it's fairly straight forward.

Did you remove anything that was in the way? Or did it just come out with a lot of wiggleing?

[getslideways]

remove axel shields, intake hose, flop coolant tank out of the way, that should give you the access you need.

Now if you are going for speed of removal, you could always take this approach:

[christianb5s4]

I think it's way too easy to drop the subframe down in the back to not do that and gain a ton of clearance. Much better than fighting the downpipes, also if the heatshields are still in place I see no way to get them out without dropping the rear of the subframe down.

[spennerus]

Did you remove anything that was in the way? Or did it just come out with a lot of wiggleing?

I don't remember moving anything substantial that was in the way, just a lot of wiggling. I think whatever heat shields are down there need to be removed, and I probably destroyed mine getting them out since I wasn't planning on re-installing them.

Dropping the subframe a little or loosening some mounts might be easier, I don't know, I only know that is is possible without doing any of that. I do remember it taking a while, and being a major pain.

[getslideways]

Also make sure your car is up high enough off the ground to give yourself plenty of twisting room to get the flanges wiggled through

[MacDaddy]

I removed trans mounts and lowered the subframe a bit (removed the rear bolts, leave the front in place or your alignment will be out) also get the car up as high as possible so the end of the downpipes isn't hitting the ground and getting in your way. I removed mine with heat shields, without it may be easier but I don't know.

[j-dells]

Thanks for the input! Ill see how it goes this week!

[Seander]

I dont know with the tip but on the manul its fairly straight forward. Remove intake and coolant reservoir on the top. Loosen heat shields but no need to remove them. Remove your 02 sensors (have fun with that, driver side is a PITA) This will give you access to the top bolt. Take off your axel shields to get the bottom 3 bolts. Then wiggle them out as best you can. It will take some turning at weird angles to get them out. Id also highly recommend hitting all the bolts with some liquid wrench/ penetrating oil the night before. Good luck!