Do-it-yourself Muffler Install

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Jun 8, 2003 | 05:20 AM

tumblehome

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Do-it-yourself Muffler Install

I just purchased a Stromung muffler, mid pipe and 3rd cat eliminator pipe for my 04 WRX. Can I install this myself? I am a novice with enough tools. I will borrow jack-stands. Are there any hints (I know it needs to be cool) as to sequence and how do I remove the support arms from the hangers? They are in there really tight. I want to become comfortable doing things myself and get to learn this car. Thanks in advance for any assistance. After this my computer will be sent off to Cobb Tuning.

Jun 8, 2003 | 07:22 AM

mysubaruimp

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From: dover, NH

Car Info: 2001 sub. imp.

AIR TOOLS is my tip
and dont do it on a friday after 5pm when all dealers are closed and you break a dealer only part and you have a race on sunday and your car has to sit until monday
make sure you buy all the new gaskets first.
wear some mechanics gloves
for the hangers, spray some wd-40 on them to make them a little more greasy, then take a screwdriver from the backside in between the rubber hanger and the metal one on the exhaust and kind of pry it out
it isnt all that hard to do, have fun

Jun 8, 2003 | 12:39 PM

onionring

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From: So. San Francisco

Car Info: 2003 WRX sonic yellow

yea...not hard at all...took me and my friend about 2 hours and we dont know much about cars...just make sure u have everything tight...and yea..wd-40 will help a lot

Jun 10, 2003 | 07:18 PM

BigSteve

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Exhaust is a pretty basic bolt on. Just take your time and double check to make sure everything is tight once you have finished.

Jun 10, 2003 | 10:54 PM

Kostamojen

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Mufflers are freakin easy, probably one of the easiest mods you can do. Its just bolts and rubber hangars that come off easily. My tip is to remove the muffler/midpipe as once piece rather than trying to disconnect them on the car. Then install the new midpipe/muffler as one piece. Cuts quite a few minutes off the job since you can get to the two bolts that connect the muffler to the midpipe easier when its off the car.

Jun 11, 2003 | 12:20 AM

NewShockerGuy

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Car Info: TXS tbe, perrin goodies, v7 sti struts...bla bla bla lots of stuff!

Question:

For those people that don't own air tools like myself can this still be done? Also I don't have access to a car lift.. like the one they use in mechanics shop where the car is like 5 feet in the air? What would you do then? My dad has these two things where I guess you drive or back your car up on them and it raises the car about 2 feet but then either the front end or the rear end is slanted down which ever is not on those ramps... is that safe?

Thanks,
-Nigel

Jun 11, 2003 | 04:33 AM

BigSteve

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Yes it can be done without air tools you just have to try a little harder. If you don't have a lift you can use jack stands. And I think you are talking about jack stands that you drive on to. And if the are secure then safe they are safe. Hope that helps.

Jun 11, 2003 | 11:01 PM

Kostamojen

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From: Roseville, CA

Car Info: 1995 Subaru Impreza 1.8 L

Quote:

Originally posted by NewShockerGuy
Question:

For those people that don't own air tools like myself can this still be done? Also I don't have access to a car lift.. like the one they use in mechanics shop where the car is like 5 feet in the air? What would you do then? My dad has these two things where I guess you drive or back your car up on them and it raises the car about 2 feet but then either the front end or the rear end is slanted down which ever is not on those ramps... is that safe?

Thanks,
-Nigel

I never use air tools. Air tools are nice, but when you cant afford them you cant afford them

Its very easy to do by hand, no need for air tools, its just 2 bolts to disconnect the muffler from the midpipe, and 2 bolts from the midpipe to the cats.

You dont need an air lift either, just ramps (which are the things you mentioned and are safe, just use some wood or something to block the front wheels from rolling) or a jack. I usually just use a jack and slide under.

Jun 12, 2003 | 08:44 AM

wvjnky

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From: The Green Room

Car Info: 02' Black Wgn

tumblehome,
I just spoke with the guys at cobb, what upgrade are you doing, stage one or stage two? I would be very interested in hearing how it turns out. There has been alot of discussion about the benifits of this upgrade vs. cost........If you can post the results so us, economically challenged tuners, can get some more info before selling the "farm" to afford it.....

Jun 13, 2003 | 10:20 AM

#10

tumblehome

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Cobb

I was told by Cobb that they have not yet cracked the code for the 04's. I am patiently waiting. I have only read good reports about results for an AccessECU Stage 1 up-grade. I would be interested in any posts about the benefits or not.

Jun 13, 2003 | 10:36 AM

#11

N/A

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Even without air tools its pretty straight forward doing an exhaust. Your cars new enough that you won't have to worry about rusted bolts breaking off and that crap.

Jun 14, 2003 | 12:15 AM

#12

EtchyLives

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From: Plymouth, MN

Car Info: 94 T-Leg Sedan and a 00 M5

I did my entire turboback myself with no aritools (minus a little help from Mach5WRX) I had about 4k miles on my car, and it was not that hard. I just had my car on jackstands. I am NOT a handy guy. Don't worry. The biggest PITA is getting the exhaust hangers off the stock muffler. If you have WD-40 it should make all of your unbolting and part removal EASY. Enjoy your new muffler!