I just bought a new catback and need help swapping in the new one. Both new and old are aftermarket. The new one is Invidia bolting up to the Invidia downpipe (downpipe is on the car now), so it should fit perfectly. The old catback is NOT that old, so this should go a smoothly as possible, but you never know. I'm happy to pay cash. A shop will be over $100. I can't do it myself (or it would take many hours). Thank you for your help! I'm in Richfield/Bloomington. The new exhaust should arrive by the end of the week.
It will be much easier than you think. The most difficult part will be breaking the old bolts loose. Otherwise everything should fit quite easily. I could help as I did mine just this spring. Do you have the necessary tools to do the job? I'd take a case of beer as payment.
I have been party to this type of job in the past. And the person who helped (did 95% of the work) was much more knowledgeable and had the tools. It took him an hour and a half with much grunting and groaning. I really am not sure I could complete the task on my own (I have minimum automotive tools too). This car should be easier as it has much less miles on the "old" exhaust, but I'm still concerned with my skill. I would very much appreciate the help and any beer of your choice!
I've got some experience with swapping exhausts and the rusty crusty that comes with. Do you have space to work and tools @minnesotanice?
I have tools I can borrow. Essentially all that is needed is some jack stands (which I have), a 12 and a 14 mm socket and ratchet (easily obtainable), a torque wrench (I have), and an area to work such as a driveway or parking lot (I don't have access to one). PB blaster and a breaker bar usually helps with the older bolts but that's about it. If you have access to a jack and a parking area, I can help. @LASERBLUE135 do you have all of the needed gaskets and hardware coming along with the exhaust?
I have a large parking area to work in (community parking lot), all hardware is supposed to be coming with the exhaust (bolts, gaskets, etc). I have sockets too, and possibly pb blaster. That's what I've got.
If we want to set this up with multiple people I'll order up some pizzas too It doesn't take more than 1 and 1/2 people to do the job, but its always fun to talk cars and bs.
Depending on the day I can host. I'm in Blaine though. I have tools (including cordless power tools to really make it go fast), a nice jack, stands, and am close to a lot of food options. I also have beer. And a 9 car driveway.
I too have tools and space, stands ect.. Gone this weekend and the next but avail after work most days. Make sure you have cardboard, the box it comes in is good but more is better, then if you plink it off the ground it doesn’t do any major scuffing. Assuming you’re doing it on your back/ground and not a lift.
Just youtube any exhaust install on whatever year/model you have and it will calm any doubts you may have.
Only "major" issue I've run into is mixing different brands of pieces together and the flange bolt holes and angles end up being slightly off. @MrBlue let me in on his secret of using hi-temp silicone in place of gaskets and I haven't had an exhaust gasket leak since. That and my first catback was a cheap knock off one and the hangers on the muffler weren't long enough (the metal ones). Ended up getting some Kart Boy extended poly hangers. And poly hangers are really fun (sarcasm)!
I found the 08-14 hatches like to rust at the axel back and breaking those bolts are a nightmare. Fwiw... Whenever I do a hatch, I just break (most times literally) the bolts on the down pipe, hit the hangers with soap water in a spray bottle, shake the exhaust so the soap gets under the rubber hangers, then work the hangers off from front to back. The midpipe and axel back come out as one. Ive done it this way maybe 6 times and have it down to about 15 minutes removed, 15 installed. It's usually a fight but a lot easier then busting knuckles on two additional bolts. Not sure if sedans or other years work out this well.
Went through the exact same process on my '11 sedan. Once you're underneath you realize that the biggest constraint is just elbow room.
I have a shop, Air tools, large floor jack , 4 large jackstands & a creeper to make it easy to get around under the car. Also sawzall, grinder if the bolts won't cooperate. Silicone spray works well on the grommets. LMK I'm in New Richmond
I got all the parts. Exhaust, bolts, gaskets. Everything is loaded in the car. I'm available any time this weekend.
Zach is the most awesome guy on the planet! Really nice dude. Thank you so much! Car is LOUD and growly now.
