Gledsyc63
Active Member
Thought it was a about time I got some extra sound from the car. I'd had a secondary cat delete straight pipe previously on the car but sold this to raise some funds to purchase a diff as was struggling to get grip after I'd had a euro charged remap.
So thought I would do a little thread on this as decided to gut them my self rather than straight pipe. Also decided to open the resonator and remove all the sound proofing from this.
Both sections of the exhaust removed ready to start what a long day this would turn out to be.
Resonator opened up. Careful if you wanted to try this you have to cut 2 separate pieces as there is a strengthening bar through the middle.
Wasn't easy to remove the sound deadening material as its all wrapped around the exhaust pipes.
Now to start the cats I cut the top off but didn't cut it too far down so that once welded back together it would be hidden by the head shield under the car.
I thought the resonator was hard to do. Gutting the cats was even harder took about 3 hours to do both, brute force in the end worked best but I also drilled some holes to make it easier to brake up.
All welded up ready to be reinstalled.
After I'd done the exhaust is been toying with the idea of getting some hr springs as well. Seen as the car was already on axle stands and wheels off made sense to also do these. Been a bit of a tight b*****d I decide to also do these myself.
Backs are really easy just remove the back bolt and lower with a jack.
When you place the cap back on the top of the spring I just put a little grease in the seat at the top to stop on squeaking.
To reinstall just do the reverse of the removal.
To the fronts now, a little more difficult would of been easier to have a spring compressor from a garage but some manual ones will do.
Remove the not from this bolt which holds the strut to the hub.
There is also 2 bolts lower down that hold the strut to the hub think these ones where e14 socket.
To loosen the top nut on the spring I needed to reinstall the shock back on the car and fasten the top 3 bolts under the bonnet this is where a garage would be able to do this on there spring compressors. Then remove once loose and use manual spring compressors so you can remove the nut fully. The spring should slide off the shock assembly then, replace with your new spring and do the same to reinstall.
I had done springs before on other cars so had a bit of diy knowledge on fitting them. But would of been much easier using a ramp if you have access but is doable on the drive if you fancy saving some coin.
Letting the springs settle for a couple of weeks then will be going to get a laser alignment done to make sure everything is still ok.
Ride seems slightly softer over speed bumps. compared to the standard ones anyway.
So thought I would do a little thread on this as decided to gut them my self rather than straight pipe. Also decided to open the resonator and remove all the sound proofing from this.
Both sections of the exhaust removed ready to start what a long day this would turn out to be.
Resonator opened up. Careful if you wanted to try this you have to cut 2 separate pieces as there is a strengthening bar through the middle.
Wasn't easy to remove the sound deadening material as its all wrapped around the exhaust pipes.
Now to start the cats I cut the top off but didn't cut it too far down so that once welded back together it would be hidden by the head shield under the car.
I thought the resonator was hard to do. Gutting the cats was even harder took about 3 hours to do both, brute force in the end worked best but I also drilled some holes to make it easier to brake up.
All welded up ready to be reinstalled.
After I'd done the exhaust is been toying with the idea of getting some hr springs as well. Seen as the car was already on axle stands and wheels off made sense to also do these. Been a bit of a tight b*****d I decide to also do these myself.
Backs are really easy just remove the back bolt and lower with a jack.
When you place the cap back on the top of the spring I just put a little grease in the seat at the top to stop on squeaking.
To reinstall just do the reverse of the removal.
To the fronts now, a little more difficult would of been easier to have a spring compressor from a garage but some manual ones will do.
Remove the not from this bolt which holds the strut to the hub.
There is also 2 bolts lower down that hold the strut to the hub think these ones where e14 socket.
To loosen the top nut on the spring I needed to reinstall the shock back on the car and fasten the top 3 bolts under the bonnet this is where a garage would be able to do this on there spring compressors. Then remove once loose and use manual spring compressors so you can remove the nut fully. The spring should slide off the shock assembly then, replace with your new spring and do the same to reinstall.
I had done springs before on other cars so had a bit of diy knowledge on fitting them. But would of been much easier using a ramp if you have access but is doable on the drive if you fancy saving some coin.
Letting the springs settle for a couple of weeks then will be going to get a laser alignment done to make sure everything is still ok.
Ride seems slightly softer over speed bumps. compared to the standard ones anyway.