nyet

 

I bought some Megan test pipes and not only did they throw my SES light with non foulers on them but they sounded like crap as well. I have a full stock exhaust on my 05 coupe and once the pipes were added I had a terrible raspy noise when the RPMs were dropping around 2500. I took them off and put my stock ones back on and sold mine on Craigslist which is probably the same thing that guy is doing. I would save up and get some good HFC instead.

 

Kinetix HFCs...no SES light. No rasp unless at WOT.

 

Kinetix HFCs. Threw a code a couple days after installing them. Reset the ECM and cleared the code. Never came back. I think the fuel trim was being relearned. No probs since then.

 

I'm going to do the defouler mod and reset the ECU. Gotta pass emission soon

 

i got the nonfoulers today and i'm probably gonna put everything on tonite. i picked up the megan resonated test pipes used for $50 about a week ago and have been wanting to install them to see what they sound like. if i take some pics of the install i'll post them. hopefully i don't loose another fingernail....

 

well after i got the bolts removed connecting the Y pipe i started with the closest bolts connecting to the exhaust manifold. all the bolts were a PITA really but, once i started with the lower exhaust mani bolts i realized i was going to have to remove a few of them from the top. unfortunately i don't have a long extension so i had to bolt everything back on. gonna try and find an extension tomorrow and finish either tomorrow or thursday. is there anything else i may need to remove the stock cats? i hate getting started on a project and not finishing.

also, i didnt remove the sensors from the cats yet so i didn't see how big they were but i drilled the nonfoulers out to just over 3/8". is that going to be big enough for the sensors to fit in? i got 2 sets of nonfoulers and put 2 together to make one long one. that should be ok right? or should i just use one nonfouler?

 

You only have room to put one non-fouler, I believe. You'll run out of room to get the sensor in there otherwise.

 

Good to know. Any other tips are appreciated as well. If my camera is charged I may take some pics of the install and maybe write a how to for other members wanting to replace their stock cats. I've learned alot from this site. Time to contribute and give alittle back.

 

Here's a tip. Three 10" extensions will reach the top bolts to the cats as well as a deepwell socket on a universal.

 

thanks for the info. i may have 3 10" extensions. i think i've got 2 so one more will get the job done. i'm off tuesday-thursday of next week, as of now, so i'll try and get everything done then.

i did find out that presoaking the bolts in WD40 and letting the car run to heat everything up really helped to get everything loose.

 

My SES light just popped on the freeway this morning. I was told that the HFC's can burn out pretty quick, haven't run the codes yet, but will update soon...

 

i just bought a 20" extension today and may try and put these on tomorrow....finally.

there's a local guy selling a set of megan headers that are still brand new and they've already been heat wrapped. he doesn't have a z anymore so he's selling them cheap. i'm thinking of getting them but, i'm afraid the install is going to be a HUGE hassle and i'm not sure if i wanna use megan headers. they're only $100 but i've heard mixed opinions about megan products. i've heard the quality used to be poor but they've started making nicer parts now. i checked out the headers and the welds on the outside look great. i was also told they're more prone to cracking when the cats/test pipes/etc don't have the flex pipe on them and my test pipes do have flexpipes so that's good.

i'm just not sure if i should get these headers and go ahead and put them on along with the cats or just wait and spend the $100 on something else.

also, i know many sedan owners use the coupe midpipe for better sound quality. is the piping diameter 2.5"? i was also wondering about the Z midpipe. is it 2.5"? i know you can use the z midpipe on the g sedan for a better sound but, i've read you need an extension. how long of an extension is needed? i guess i should be posting this question in the sedan forum but, if anyone has any info they can share on this it'd be appreciated.