I just ordered an XLR8 Quad Res cat back exhaust and j-pipe. Just wondering if anyone has any tips for putting these babies on. I've done one on my old 98 Civic before, but each car is different.
Mine's a 07 with 42K on it. I'll have a few weeks to get ready as these were part of a group buy and will take a while to come in. This is my only car, so I get one shot to do this or I'm walking...

Probably not, but still any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

simple bolt ons..jus get the car up

 

buy bolt penetrating spray

 

I recently did the XLR8 j-pipe. The hardest part of the job is removing the exhaust nuts without having them strip their threads. The factory uses "jam nuts" on the exhaust. A "jam nut" is a nut that intentionally has threads that are slightly off pitch... thus causing a jam or tight fit against the stud. The exhaust jam nuts love to strip the threads off of the stud.

Here is what I did, and highly advise you to do too. Although you do not have the new pipe yet, go ahead a loosen all nuts (3 per each precat and 3 for third cat). As suggested already, use PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench pentrating oil. Loosen each set in the proper sequence, but remove just one nut at a time to apply antiseize to the threads. Retighten to just 25 Ft Lbs. The oem spec for the nuts is 40 Ft. Lbs. But, I recommend 25 Ft. Lbs. The 40 is too tight and not necessary. Also, do *not* replace your current jam nuts with new ones as the service manual suggests. Those studs can barely endure one encounter with those damn jam nuts, and you will really be tempting faith (high risk of destroying the threads on the studs) by using another new jam nut.

This is THE BATTLE. Go ahead and fight the battle. Then, when your new pipe arrives, you will have an easy R&R (Remove and Replace) without any surprises. Worked for me !

 

Forgot to add -

Do *not* use a 12-point socket, you must use a 6-point socket. Preferrably, use an adapter (3/8 drive to 1/2 drive) to use a large 1/2 drive breaker bar.

 

I put the front of the car up on ramps and the back on jack stands. That gave me ALOT of room to do it. I also had infamouslink and his friend come help me.

 

Thanks guys. Any need to get new "spring bolts" for the connection with the cat or do they come with? Ok to reuse the gaskets between pieces?

 

If you can get new gaskets get new ones or you can get away with using the old ones and spring bolts are no necessary.

 

Thanks everyone for your help. I used all your tips and it went very smoothly. What an improvement in sound and power!