I'm getting ready to install my new Helix up pipe and have a couple of questions. I have an MY03 WRX sedan.

1. The pipe did not come with new studs. Does anyone have any experince in the difficulty of removing the existing studs on the stock up pipe? (Car has appx 5k miles on it in 5 months)

2. Does anyone know the dimensions of these studs?

3. I tried to buy new studs at the dealer, but they only have three listed in the whole state. I know there are 5 threaded holes on the flange, but the dealer I spoke to said that it required only three studs. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

 

there are definitely 5 studs.

to remove the studs, take two of the nuts and put them both on the same stud. then turn the nuts against one another. finally, use a wrench on the bottom nut to remove the stud.

take out the egt sensor before you attempt to remove the stock up pipe. if you do this, you can actually remove the stock pipe with a series of movements... no motor mount loosening, no turbo removal.

get some pb blaster or other penetrating oil and soak everything!

and use a lift if you can find one. it will help immensely.

hth
ken

 

Thanks ride, for the quick and helpful info. I'm planning on getting this project started tomorrow evening, so we'll see how it goes.

Happy Spooling!

ERIC

 

additionally: get some OEM gaskets for the RH collector--up pipe joint, and the up pipe--turbo joint.

i went with a gutted OEM up pipe and reused gaskets. ok so far, but i don't think i'd be so lucky with aftermarked UPs.

get your hands on some anti-sieze lubricant, and lube everything you put back together. you will be thankful if you have to take it apart, and it helps make spinning on nuts and studs easier. it's cheap and available at auto parts stores.

get a crows-foot 02 sensor socket wrench. i had a deep socket style with a slit cut in it but it was too long to fit over the o2 sensor due to a section of the body being in the way. i had to end up snipping the heat shield while it was still on the exhaust which was still on the car. a pain in the ***. a crows foot style wrench would have been really helpful. you're looking for 7/8".

i dropped my RH collector with the o2 sensor still in place, but it made it harder since i had to remove the retaining clips for the sensor wire which is located right on the right rear spark plug coil pack. this was a pain to reach. i ended up purposefully bending the bracket, removing the clips, and bending it back when i was done putting it all back together. you WILL be happier just pulling out the o2s before you drop the manifold.

good luck! remember when you want to curl up in a ball and cry, that you're doing this because it's FUN!

ken

 

you should contact whoever you bought the up=pipe from.... you should have gotten studs with the up pipe.... if you remove them from the stock up pipe, they probably wont stay very well in the new one... so you should just wait until you get some new ones shipped to you. its a pita to get to so i would hate to see you take it apart twice.....


aaron