vaprea

Can anyone give me a heads up on how to remove your OEM Downpipe, I already have it ready to pull out, I just cant wiggle it out of the engine bay.

PLEASE HELP!!

BigHatch

go out the top if i remember some of the old threads... i remember reading about it somewhere on here..

DanRDX

You need to remove the heat shield first, then carefully move the power steering hose without breaking it. Also you need to remove the intercooler; then wiggle and shift like a mofo and pull it out from the top..good luck if you have not completed it yet.

vaprea

Did you pull the 02 sensors or leave them in and just unplug them?

DanRDX

Yes I forgot, I did pull both top and bottom, not the easiest to reach, I used open box wrench. Once again, be very careful with that power steering hose. I cracked mine and PS fluid slowly leaked out. I had to replace that as well which was also a PITA

vaprea

Okay Im going to take another whack at it with your insights. I appreciate your help! I was actually going to drop the K member and let the DP come down from the bottom, but I had to call it quits until next weekend, put everything back together for now...

vaprea

This is a vid I took while I had it on the lift. Its of the RDX with and open OEM down pipe, sounds sweet.

BU

Sounds mean.
Did you gut out your OEM downpipe & mid pipe ?

DanRDX

Dude you have access to a lift, that is like 75% of the battle right there. I have to use jack stands, my driveway and about 2 hours of manipulating the OEM CAT. You absolutely have to remove the heat shields while the CAT is under the car, kind of tricky, but it can be done. Also you have to remove another heat that is on the chasis. follow this thread, step by step and you should be able to remove it. I did...again. Good Luck.

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/catless-downpipe-midpipe-diy-828546/

vaprea

I did gut my midpipe a few months back, my goal was to gut the stock down pipe until I have more disposable cash to replace it.

Now I feel like a real pansy. Ya, I have a lift in my garage.

I think my issue was neglecting to remove the o2 sensors / heat shield encompassing the CAT.

I also ran into a barrier which dictated me to put everything back together rather then take more apart, the women getting home from work.

BigHatch

that last one's always the toughest...

DanRDX

I tried gutting my primary CAT...that is hard a a mofo, if not close to impossible. I used a pry bar and a 5lb sledge and got about 1" before I gave up. This took me a good 2-3 hours of pounding, my problem was not being able to hold the CAT steady enough and the angles are to tight to get a solid strike. Trust me, it is not as easy as the secondary CAT. Let me save you some trouble, you will thank me later. My wife was on my case until I got my DP and thank God I was able to get it together and running 100%.

OhRDX

Buy new down pipe, gut second cat. boom! Done deal.

Wish I wasn't one of the first to do this (without a lift). It took me a while to learn I had to cut the heat shields off before removing. What a pain.

vaprea

I recall someone on acurazine stating they gutted their stock DP and saying it sounded like a ZR1 lol, I cant find the thread... would like to hear how he went about doing the gutting. Ring any bells?