[boosting4me]

So after running jb4 and e85 with dci for a couple months I finally sacked up and bought my self some Vrsf parts Inlets/Downpipes. Now ive read pretty much every thread and Diy on the install , picked up one of those harbor freight engine support bars. Does any one have any additional tips to installing them both I figured id do them both at the same time since I already am gonna have the downpipes off. fyi this is gonna be done on jack stands

Im wondering with the sub frame lowered will I be able to wiggle out the rear charge pipe without cutting it?

[Nonecure]

I had my mechanic do mine since I read how hard DP's were on an XI. My mechanic has done a few DP's and 1 set of inlets on RWD, but never on an AWD. It took him 12 hours to do this job and he said he would never do another AWD again. I even moved the coolant tank and steering fluid reservoir before giving him the car. He cut me a discount on the labor rate since he expected the job to take 4.5 hours.

The fitment of the VSRF DP's and inlets were fine, but the lack of room to work with was an issue. Since he can do DP's on a RWD in less than 3 hours, I believed him that XI's are a bitch to work on.

Plan on cutting your rear stock inlet out and maybe see if you can rent a lift.

[boosting4me]

Originally Posted by Nonecure

I had my mechanic do mine since I read how hard DP's were on an XI. My mechanic has done a few DP's and 1 set of inlets on RWD, but never on an AWD. It took him 12 hours to do this job and he said he would never do another AWD again. I even moved the coolant tank and steering fluid reservoir before giving him the car. He cut me a discount on the labor rate since he expected the job to take 4.5 hours.

The fitment of the VSRF DP's and inlets were fine, but the lack of room to work with was an issue. Since he can do DP's on a RWD in less than 3 hours, I believed him that XI's are a bitch to work on.

Plan on cutting your rear stock inlet out and maybe see if you can rent a lift.

Down pipes really shouldn't be that much different if he just dropped the 6 sub frame bolts , Im curious if vrsf revised the brackets and fittings as this was a known issue.

[adidoman]

I did the dps on my xi with no previous experience, and I did them on jack stands and used an additional jack to hold the engine while dropping them subframe. It's very doable just allow yourself three times the amount of time so you can take your time.

I think I read on the vrsf install PDF for the inlets the you can remove the rear inlet with lowering the engine a bit and having the intake manifold removed, I haven't done this yet, so I don't know how it is on the xi, but it may work.

With the downpipes, make sure you have a breaker bar to get the subframe off, and the engine position can affect the clearance on the downpipes (mine engine lowered about a quarter inch and I didn't have room to put the second downpipes into its position). Read over mattsfeir (I think that's how it's spelled) posts on here a few times to get the right idea. I also watched the ar downpipes install on YouTube (it's for RWD but it's gives you a better idea on how to do the process).

[Kienvu14]

Drop the subframe, biggest thing people try to do the DIY without dropping it and it doesn't work

[Nonecure]

Originally Posted by boosting4me

Down pipes really shouldn't be that much different if he just dropped the 6 sub frame bolts , Im curious if vrsf revised the brackets and fittings as this was a known issue.

Mine had the new brackets for the coolant tank and PS tank. There are no brackets for the DP's. Everything came out nice on my setup. I didn't mean to make the XI out to be impossible for a DIY project. I am just letting people know that it is harder than the RWD. I just don't have the patients for this kind of a job.

[Nonecure]

Originally Posted by adidoman

I did the dps on my xi with no previous experience, and I did them on jack stands and used an additional jack to hold the engine while dropping them subframe. It's very doable just allow yourself three times the amount of time so you can take your time.

I think I read on the vrsf install PDF for the inlets the you can remove the rear inlet with lowering the engine a bit and having the intake manifold removed, I haven't done this yet, so I don't know how it is on the xi, but it may work.

With the downpipes, make sure you have a breaker bar to get the subframe off, and the engine position can affect the clearance on the downpipes (mine engine lowered about a quarter inch and I didn't have room to put the second downpipes into its position). Read over mattsfeir (I think that's how it's spelled) posts on here a few times to get the right idea. I also watched the ar downpipes install on YouTube (it's for RWD but it's gives you a better idea on how to do the process).

Inlets are harder to install than DP's.

[adidoman]

Originally Posted by Nonecure

Inlets are harder to install than DP's.

Yes but not impossible.

[boosting4me]

So i started taken her apart last night... went mostly smooth except 1 vband clamp the bolt seems to be frozen not sure how to get it out. I got everything else out im sure glad i bought some wobble sockets.

[adidoman]

Originally Posted by boosting4me

So i started taken her apart last night... went mostly smooth except 1 vband clamp the bolt seems to be frozen not sure how to get it out. I got everything else out im sure glad i bought some wobble sockets.

Try some PB blaster and let it soak. I know I and to let a few of my bolts soak for quite awhile so I could get them loose

[boosting4me]

Originally Posted by adidoman

Try some PB blaster and let it soak. I know I and to let a few of my bolts soak for quite awhile so I could get them loose

I got some wd40 on it its been sitting over night i hope that does the trick... plus side down pipes came in...... down side inlets were supposed to be shipped with it idk what happened