[zhoustanley7]

Just got my AA catted downpipe and I plan to install it myself over the weekend. I was wondering if you guys have any tips to make the install more smooth and easier. I'm also wondering if there is enough clearance to take the downpipe out with jack stands or ramps. How tall of jack stands do you guys recommend? Thanks!

[rmedina]

Tips. Remove your airbox, o2 sensors, and the bracket bolts from the top. Loosen the v clamp. Jack up your car and secure it. Loosen the clamp, remove the hanger bolt. Once done you'll be able to separate the downpipe from the exhaust. Hope this helps.

[G30M]

there's a youtube video on Kies motorsport, not sure if helpful but iirc they showed every step

[Shaninnik]

I did it myself, took around two hours, car on jack stands, first time changing downpipe. I would rate the overall process as "very easy" with the exception of taking OEM downpipe out as there was almost zero play in the exhaust. I have X3 m40i but my reference was some random video on youtube of a guy changing downpipe on his m340i and they are identical

[k4sh_90]

Once you have the OEM downpipe removed and ready to install the AA, secure the downpipe from the turbo to exhaust. Make sure it’s lined up and fully seated at the turbo, tighten clamp, then work your way back tightening things.

I did it in reverse (exhaust to turbo)my first go round. Ended up having to re-do it cause I was leaking exhaust from the turbo. Wasn’t enough to throw codes, but couldn’t drive with the windows closed.

[zhoustanley7]

Originally Posted by k4sh_90

Once you have the OEM downpipe removed and ready to install the AA, secure the downpipe from the turbo to exhaust. Make sure it’s lined up and fully seated at the turbo, tighten clamp, then work your way back tightening things.

I did it in reverse (exhaust to turbo)my first go round. Ended up having to re-do it cause I was leaking exhaust from the turbo. Wasn’t enough to throw codes, but couldn’t drive with the windows closed.

So just to confirm, when installing your downpipe you secured the v band clamp to the downpipe and turbo first?

[k4sh_90]

Originally Posted by zhoustanley7

So just to confirm, when installing your downpipe you secured the v band clamp to the downpipe and turbo first?

Correct. There’s three points that need to be tightened down. This is the order I went in:

1. V band clamp (downpipe to turbo)
2. Center bracket (downpipe to car via 2 copper nuts)
3. Exhaust clamp (downpipe to mid pipe)

[whofelt]

i did it myself with jackstands and it was pretty easy, the toughest part was my v-band clamp was sort of stuck on the turbo, but after messing with it for a while, i was able to get it off.

[zhoustanley7]

Originally Posted by k4sh_90

Correct. There’s three points that need to be tightened down. This is the order I went in:

1. V band clamp (downpipe to turbo)
2. Center bracket (downpipe to car via 2 copper nuts)
3. Exhaust clamp (downpipe to mid pipe)

Thanks for the help! How did you notice the leak from the turbo? Was the smell really bad?

[k4sh_90]

Originally Posted by zhoustanley7

Thanks for the help! How did you notice the leak from the turbo? Was the smell really bad?

It was noticeable in cabin when at a stop and the windows closed. I thought it was cat settling at first, until it wasn’t going away. I was able to see faint whisps of exhaust coming from the behind the turbo when I looking under the hood. No matter of tightening the V band made it go away. So ended up redoing the whole install and it’s been fine since.

[GOLDPHO3NIX]

Originally Posted by k4sh_90

It was noticeable in cabin when at a stop and the windows closed. I thought it was cat settling at first, until it wasn’t going away. I was able to see faint whisps of exhaust coming from the behind the turbo when I looking under the hood. No matter of tightening the V band made it go away. So ended up redoing the whole install and it’s been fine since.

Sorry to bring up an old post. I just installed the AA downpipe. No smell in cabin at a stop. but when I am outside, there’s a smell when car is idling. I opened the hood and can tell it’s coming from the engine bay. Potential leak?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by GOLDPHO3NIX

Sorry to bring up an old post. I just installed the AA downpipe. No smell in cabin at a stop. but when I am outside, there’s a smell when car is idling. I opened the hood and can tell it’s coming from the engine bay. Potential leak?

If it's a stong smell, then its a leak. It should be minimal to no smell with the high flow catted AA.

[GOLDPHO3NIX]

Thanks Mike! The smell is strong but took some pics. Does this look good?

[rmedina]

Did you intentionally loosen the clamp to take a picture or is that how it's currently installed?

[koopa]

Originally Posted by rmedina

Did you intentionally loosen the clamp to take a picture or is that how it's currently installed?

This. Also, did you put the gasket in?

[1QuikWS6]

And did you remove the original gasket that sometimes sticks up in place when removing the oem DP?

[GOLDPHO3NIX]

Thanks for all the replies!

I loosened the vband to take a pic. I’m just wondering if the gap in the pic is really a gap. I installed the supplied gasket from AA. OEM dp gasket is stuck to the OEM DP so good there too

[totalone]

Originally Posted by GOLDPHO3NIX

Thanks for all the replies!

I loosened the vband to take a pic. I’m just wondering if the gap in the pic is really a gap. I installed the supplied gasket from AA. OEM dp gasket is stuck to the OEM DP so good there too

Hey man, so like when I installed I had somewhat similar issue but with vibration at certain RPM.

When you install you AA loosen the bottom downpipe where it connects to the exhaust. Tighten V band first and after tighten bottom exhaust.

What happens sometimes is you tighten bottom and it can not fully connect on Vband connection, because its already tighten in place and can not move. I also had a small gap between turbo and downpipe. After doing what I mentioned vibration was gone.

Also what torque spec you are using to tighten Vband?

[GOLDPHO3NIX]

Originally Posted by totalone

Hey man, so like when I installed I had somewhat similar issue but with vibration at certain RPM.

When you install you AA loosen the bottom downpipe where it connects to the exhaust. Tighten V band first and after tighten bottom exhaust.

What happens sometimes is you tighten bottom and it can not fully connect on Vband connection, because its already tighten in place and can not move. I also had a small gap between turbo and downpipe. After doing what I mentioned vibration was gone.

Also what torque spec you are using to tighten Vband?

Yeah, I think there’s a slight gap then. I’ll start from the turbo instead this weekend and see if it helps, thanks all!

[totalone]

Originally Posted by GOLDPHO3NIX

Thanks for all the replies!

I loosened the vband to take a pic. I’m just wondering if the gap in the pic is really a gap. I installed the supplied gasket from AA. OEM dp gasket is stuck to the OEM DP so good there too

There is a gasket? I didnt had no gasket

[GOLDPHO3NIX]

Originally Posted by totalone

There is a gasket? I didnt had no gasket

Yeah there was one pre installed (it can fall out tho once the zip tie is gone)

[totalone]

Originally Posted by GOLDPHO3NIX

Yeah there was one pre installed (it can fall out tho once the zip tie is gone)

wtf I had no zip on it. perhaps it was already applied or something. I mean it is working as expected and I dont see any leaks. I do smell a little on start up but I think its normal