My first mod (yes, I'm serious)
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
My first mod (yes, I'm serious)
Well, I guess you could say that the mod bug finally bit me. Well, maybe it didn't bite me so much as it just nibbled at me a little bit. Unless you consider repainting the rear bumper, cleaning the throttle body or polishing the headlights "mods", this would officially constitute my first real mod. I'm like a proud new father.
So, without further adieu, here we go (please give me 10 minutes to upload the pictures before anyone responds):
Before:
So, without further adieu, here we go (please give me 10 minutes to upload the pictures before anyone responds):
Before:
#2
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
I really, really tried to do this job myself, but I just couldn’t. I sprayed those bolts with WD-40 every other night for a week, and no matter how hard I tugged on them, they just wouldn’t budge. I watched the entire install, and while using the impact wrench to break loose the bolts, 3 of the 4 literally exploded in sparks and shot across the shop floor. There is no way that hand tools would have been able to loosen these things (at least not the tools I was using). Here’s a picture of the actual install.
Last edited by e-man; 07-23-06 at 05:48 AM.
#3
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
And here’s a helpful tip for all of you DIY’ers out there. I think someone mentioned this in the “Who purchased L-tuned exhaust” thread, but it’s worth repeating. I highly recommend you cover the exhaust tips with something soft. Right before we began to break loose the bolts, I suggested that we cover the exhaust tips with an old pair of socks that I had in the trunk. So, just to be safe, I slid a sock over each tip. He first removed the bolts on the left side, but because they both broke off, he just left that side in its original position and went to work on the right side. As he was working on the right side, the left side gave way, and the exhaust pipe dropped down (as did my heart into my stomach). Of course, when the exhaust pipe dropped down, the exhaust tip popped right up into the bumper. Thankfully, the sock prevented the exhaust tip from scratching the paint.
Last edited by e-man; 07-23-06 at 05:49 AM.
#4
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
And here’s an after picture. It’s a little blurry, but you get the idea. I think it’s absolutely silly that all of us are having problems with the exhaust tips being straight. In my case, whereas the right side is near perfect, the left side is significantly lower and offset to the left. This shouldn’t be like this, especially with a product that’s basically manufactured by Toyota. Has anyone determined a fix for this yet? I was thinking of using some heavy duty double-sided mounting tape on the right side of the hook that’s mounted to the underside of the car in order to raise the hanger (which would, in turn, raise the muffler), but I’m not sure how I would go about wedging that in there. Does anyone have any ideas?
#6
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Lastly, here is a picture of one of the old pipes. Can someone tell me how in the heck I am supposed to get that rusty old bolt/nut out of there (remember, the nut is spot welded to the flange)?
Last edited by e-man; 07-19-06 at 06:53 PM.
#7
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Now for my observations. They sound nice. They are definitely not too loud for anyone who’s concerned about that. The difference is most noticeable at start up and between idle and about 2000 RPM. The sound is a little deeper and throatier. I know some have said there is a break-in period, so I’ll post up more observations in a few weeks after I’ve had them for a little while. I like the way the look much better than stock (provided I can get them to line up).
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#10
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by cliffud
hey Eric... looks great! but - yeah, your mufflers look like mine... kinda lazy eyed...
i've been thinking about adding a rubber piece to the inside section of the hook on the left muffler. this will effectively raise the muffler and thus the tip. What do you think?
c.
i've been thinking about adding a rubber piece to the inside section of the hook on the left muffler. this will effectively raise the muffler and thus the tip. What do you think?
c.
And, Kharizma, the bolts are from the flange where the muffler pipe meets the main exhaust pipe.
#11
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Nice upgrade, not sure how to correct the difference. Still waiting for mine to be delivered. If I have lop sided tips I will respond as to how I may correct the issue.