AR Design Downpipe Install ?

tonyVCF · 09-03-2012, 12:06 AM

Just finished installing the AR Design downpipes. Awesome fitment all around except for the fact that I can't get the rear bracket (behind downpipes, on midpipe) that holds the exhaust piping back on. Is this going to be a big deal or can I just take the whole thing off?

Thanks in advance!

benzy89 · 09-03-2012, 12:11 AM

Are you referring to the bracket that basically holds up the midpipe?

Figure807 · 09-03-2012, 12:33 AM

Had this issue literally the other day when I installed my AA pipes. I used some rags and a wrench to basically make a tourniquet and squeeze the pipes together (Jackie Chan in Shanghai Knights, anyone?). Don't forget to check your dp clearance afterwards though - I think mine are making some contact because I hearing a kind of raspy metal sound. Will have to put it back on the lift next Friday . . .

BoostAddict · 09-03-2012, 12:47 AM

Did you tighten the vbands before putting that bracket on?

Evil///M · 09-03-2012, 12:47 AM

How hard are these to do?

tonyVCF · 09-03-2012, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzy89

Are you referring to the bracket that basically holds up the midpipe?

Yep. Couldn't get the midpipes to come together close enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Figure807

Had this issue literally the other day when I installed my AA pipes. I used some rags and a wrench to basically make a tourniquet and squeeze the pipes together (Jackie Chan in Shanghai Knights, anyone?). Don't forget to check your dp clearance afterwards though - I think mine are making some contact because I hearing a kind of raspy metal sound. Will have to put it back on the lift next Friday . . .

That was my issue as well. If I squeezed the piped to put the bracket on, then the downpipes would touch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ***********

Did you tighten the vbands before putting that bracket on?

Yep, according to the AR Design DIY video, he tightened everything back up. I don't even think it showed him putting the brace back on...

tonyVCF · 09-03-2012, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil///M

How hard are these to do?

Huge pain in the ass. Had a friend help. Although I think the BMW SKK w/ shift arm install was a bigger pain in the ass.

BoostAddict · 09-03-2012, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyVCF

Yep, according to the AR Design DIY video, he tightened everything back up. I don't even think it showed him putting the brace back on...

You need to tighten that bracket while the vbands are loose that way the dp's can move into the proper position.

tonyVCF · 09-03-2012, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ***********

You need to tighten that bracket while the vbands are loose that way the dp's can move into the proper position.

So are the bolts from the downpipes to the midpipe loose as well?

benzy89 · 09-03-2012, 01:42 AM

Put everything together loose, then tighten it up once everything's lined up & in place

BoostAddict · 09-03-2012, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyVCF

So are the bolts from the downpipes to the midpipe loose as well?

Leave those tight

Evil///M · 09-03-2012, 01:54 AM

How long did it take you?

tonyVCF · 09-03-2012, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil///M

How long did it take you?

2 hours to get everything on, then another 1.5 trying to get the downpipes to align correctly.

Evil///M · 09-03-2012, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyVCF

2 hours to get everything on, then another 1.5 trying to get the downpipes to align correctly.

Oh that doesnt sound too bad..
Took me about 5 hours to do my rear swaybar haha.

tonyVCF · 09-03-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzy89

Put everything together loose, then tighten it up once everything's lined up & in place

Quote:

Originally Posted by ***********

Leave those tight

Was able to get everything aligned today. Actually stuck a towel between the downpipes to keep space while I tightened everything. Literally like 2mm of space in between.

Thanks for all y'alls help.

09-03-2012, 12:06 AM	#1
tonyVCF Lurker 9 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 2016 MG w/ SS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	AR Design Downpipe Install ? Just finished installing the AR Design downpipes. Awesome fitment all around except for the fact that I can't get the rear bracket (behind downpipes, on midpipe) that holds the exhaust piping back on. Is this going to be a big deal or can I just take the whole thing off? Thanks in advance!
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09-03-2012, 12:11 AM	#2
benzy89 Banned 83 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [7.50]	Are you referring to the bracket that basically holds up the midpipe?
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09-03-2012, 12:33 AM	#3
Figure807 Power without control is no power at all... 19 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 335i 6spd Blk/Blk Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii iTrader: (1)	Had this issue literally the other day when I installed my AA pipes. I used some rags and a wrench to basically make a tourniquet and squeeze the pipes together (Jackie Chan in Shanghai Knights, anyone?). Don't forget to check your dp clearance afterwards though - I think mine are making some contact because I hearing a kind of raspy metal sound. Will have to put it back on the lift next Friday . . . __________________ 2009 335i Coupe 6MT Blk Sapphire / Blk Leather 2007 328i Coupe 6MT Blk Sapphire / Blk Leather Sold 1985 Toyota Corolla GTS 5MT 1.5-way Slvr / Blk Sold 1987 Toyota Corolla GTS 5MT KAAZ 2-way Blk / Blk *Sold
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09-03-2012, 12:47 AM	#4
BoostAddict Banned 49 Rep 932 Posts Drives: SGM 335i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Boynton Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	Did you tighten the vbands before putting that bracket on?
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09-03-2012, 12:47 AM	#5
Evil///M Professional Hitman 181 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: Built 335is \| Ranger Tremor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: 602 iTrader: (12) Garage List 2011 335is [9.17] 2021 Ford Ranger Tr ... [10.00] 2014 Audi R8 v10+ [10.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [9.75]	How hard are these to do? __________________
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09-03-2012, 01:42 AM	#10
benzy89 Banned 83 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [7.50]	Put everything together loose, then tighten it up once everything's lined up & in place
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09-03-2012, 01:54 AM	#12
Evil///M Professional Hitman 181 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: Built 335is \| Ranger Tremor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: 602 iTrader: (12) Garage List 2011 335is [9.17] 2021 Ford Ranger Tr ... [10.00] 2014 Audi R8 v10+ [10.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [9.75]	How long did it take you? __________________
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