Quick question:

Do I need a defouler with HFPC?

Is it easier to take out the HFPC from the top or the bottom?

I am just trying to eliminate unnecessary work. I know that a lot of folks do it from the bottom with PCD, but the HFPC is thicker so not sure how that would work.

Any info in regards to this is appreciated.

 

no defouler.
take from the top.

i've installed and reinstalled my HFPCs 2x and i really don't want to do it again...it's not fun.

here's my two best tips:
- take the heat shields off the rear one first, otherwise it's very very hard to get the rear cat out.
- buy a swivel head socket wrench (something like )

 

Thanks for the info man. Did you have to take the front strut bar off?

 

yes im pretty sure you have to. you need a lot of room

 

Remove at minimum for easier access: strut brace, rear right (passenger) and rear middle coil packs, release several (all you can find) of the green connectors of the main wire harness from their brackets all the way from fuse box to power steering pump area, passenger side strut brace bracket off (piece that was bolted to strut brace). Pull power steering hose out of it's aluminum and wide clip and pull it behind same clip.

I'd also suggest you remove the rear pre-cat oxygen sensors before attempting the pre-cat removal. You can leave the front ones on if you want, but label all of them as you remove them. Removing the oxygen sensor clips was probably the most time consuming ordeal for me.

It would also be of great benefit to either remove or replace your engine mounts while you're at it. This will allow you to get much more clearance and you'll have it out in an hour to hour and half tops. Would be a shame to be in the area of the rear engine mount and not replace it.

Doing the above allowed me to pull the rear pre-cat over the top of the rear middle coil pack. Could have likely left the heat shield on, but didn't want to stress the side engine mount, which I did leave on.

I've been running HFPCs and an aftermarket j-pipe with "third cat" delete and have had no thrown codes thus far. No additional fouler "tricks" are necessary.

 

that is some great info man. I appreciate it.

 

put a towel on the engine and get comfy...take your time, don't drop anything. The rear cat and wrestling the stock one out will be the part where you get frustrated...everything else is cake.

 

so true haha. i went out and bought a home depot gardening kneeling pad and put that on top of my intake manifold and sat on my knees on top of the manifold for a good portion of the job haha. my neighbors probably thought i was crazy since i do my work in my apartment parking spot haha.

 

I wonder if they came outside, shrugged and said to themselves "man! that guy is ALWAYS on his knees!!!"








late night for me...bed time.

 

wouldn't be the first time hey oh!

haha i never see you post this late!

 

yeah, man...recovering from knee surgery...mind was going, couldn't sleep. Oh well.

 

So glad I didn't have to do this myself. LOL

 

It was actually pretty therapeutic!

 

I don't mind the time but my back and hands thank me.

I did have to replace the HFPC->j-pipe gaskets myself last weekend though. Luckily all the bolts had been used the weekend before so it was ez pz.

 

see...and that one I dread very much because my cats don't have fixed bolts on them and it's a very tough time holding the top nut while tightening/loosening.

 

how come you had to replace them, could you hear an exhaust leak?

 

I bought the v3 jpipe new but the v3 HFPCs used. They came with two all metal gaskets for the "block" side but were missing the two for the jpipe side. The tech who installed the HFPCs for me while doing my 105k said that one had crumbled away and I had a minor leak. I couldn't even hear the leak but then again he was right next to it with the car in the air...

So I ordered replacements from Rich. They were beefy af compared to what was there.

 

Rich for the MFW.

 

Wasn't going to admit I climbed onto my intake manifold cover, but I did too. At over six feet tall, it's still much easier on the back. I climbed on barefoot, didn't want to mar the paint.

 

You shouldn't need a defouler, although you might want one just in case.

Without a lift, I'd take it out from the top.

 

You shouldn't need a defouler, although you might want one just in case.

Without a lift, I'd take it out from the top.

Just wanted to ensure you know this post is slightly different in that I did read the thread and have nothing to sell.

 

 

Looks like I might be doing it this way...doesn't sound comfortable though..

Always the funny guy...lol.. Look like i have all the info I need.

 

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