Page 1 of 2

Fitting RPW extractors

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:40 am
by bigpitty1
I just got my extractors today but I just wanted to know if the extractors will bolt up to the stock exhaust or will I have to get a whole new exhaust made up.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:02 am
by khunjeng
The RPW extractors setup is 2.5"...so thats gonna need to match they rest...

can you do me a favor and take some pics of yours...clsoe ups of the metal and post them here??

Thanks. KJ

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:13 am
by Nacho
Can you also find out if you can use the existing stock gasket when you attach them?

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:18 am
by FTO338
Well according to Lee, every FTO is different for some reason, some will bolt straight on like Shue, some will take lots of playing around like Josh (eftoo). Even though they both tip GPX.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:57 am
by Bennoz
Technically they will bolt up to the existing cat - the flange on the end of the downpipe mates upto the cat, but as Kev said every car is different. Some bolt striaght, some need some work - mine certainly did.

You can use the exisiting gaskets when bolting to the heads as it is a metal gasket. Just be careful when levering off the old headers that you dont butcher the gasket.

The only gasket you might need is the one that sits in between the downpipe & cat. Its a generic gasket & any exhuast shop will be able to supply.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:14 pm
by khunjeng
also check if the mounting plate is flat with a straight edge. The amount of times I have heard of ppl that simply bolt it on is a worry. If its not straight I woulnd't fit it. The metal gasket will not take up "the gap" it only adds a layer assuming its straight to begin with.

At the CAT end, Ben is right stand. 2.5" gasket will do and everyone will have one.

With respect to the fitting, apart form every car being differnet (angles etc) the real issue is getting the old m'fold off the car. Depending on the age/status of the bolts some can snap off when taking them off - this is a real drama to fix, can be done but will cost u. Cos these cars are 10yo + this is more of an issue than some1 and their 2004 Type R.

Post some picks of the inlets I would like to see them. KJ

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:18 pm
by bigpitty1
Thanks for all your help guys, here are some pics, they came painted, the downpipe is blue and the headers are a goldie colour and they also came with gaskets but only to connect the headers and downpipe.
I'm going to buy some new gaskets this weekend and try to fit them.
Image
This is what I got.
Image
The surfaces are all flat.
Image
Image
Image[/code]

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:10 pm
by khunjeng
have a look at the intakes (oval bits) check carefully to see the finish and is there is any lip...you will have to get that ground back.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:54 pm
by bigpitty1
I will take it to work and get the die grinder happening, the ports in the downpipe are really smooth.

with a few people getting them fitting on the stock exhaust and some not, could it depend on the cat, because I know when it went to get complied the cat got changed.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:05 pm
by khunjeng
you are gonna need a hi-flo cat and good muffler to really take advantage of the extractors.

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:21 am
by Nacho
Where did you get the downpipe from? UAS?

Is the downpipe 2.5 inch?

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:22 am
by Bennoz
Yep its 2.5 - it comes with the headers

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:00 pm
by FTO338
Nacho wrote:Where did you get the downpipe from? UAS?

Is the downpipe 2.5 inch?
If you are asking about the downpipe in the pics, it comes with the RPW Extractor kit.

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:50 pm
by bigpitty1
Everything in the first pic is what I got when it arrived, it even came painted.

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:55 pm
by khunjeng
has anyone actually placed the gasket over the plate to see how the holes line up when fitted? and have you checked the plate is perfectly flat with a straight edge? u need to check both of these before fitting.

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:44 am
by bigpitty1
Hey everyone I just fitted the extractors today, yes they do fit on the stock exhaust, the exhaust note is a bit different but really I need to get a new exhaust made up for it, oh and another thing too you can feel a difference with them on, the engine seems to feel a lot smoother, more responsive and abit torquer but still I need to get the rest of the exhaust done to get the most out of it.

A few things you must know, you should not use the stock exhaust manifold gasket because it has 2 little rivet thingy on each end, and the extractor will sit on these unlike the stock manifolds that don't, which will leave a gap.
I had to make up my own gasket, I got a sheet for $11, also the downpipe didn't fit nicely on the headers, so you have to fit the downpipe loose on the headers then tighten them up(I had to use a clamp to clamp the headers to the downpipe when I got the bolts through), and I aslo reused the flange gasket on the cat, so its all fitted now and the goldie colour paint aslo has burn't off.

Image
Here are the stock manifolds and downpipe.

Image
Downpipe: Stock vs RPW.

Image
Headers: Stock vs RPW.

Image
The stuff I needed to make the new gaskets.

Image
Here is where the little rivet thingy is, the extractors will sit on this leaving a gap, so make a new gasket if you can't buy one.

Not many tools were needed but a 14mm ratchet spanner is really recomended to get the rear manifold off because I didn't really have a good size extension on the rachet to reach it.

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:07 am
by Bennoz
Nice one! Good to see another fellow DIY man. How long did it take you all up?

You'll probably find that exhaust note will change again over the next few weeks. Once the carbon deposits build up, that raspy sorta sound as high rpms becomes more of a low rumble.

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:03 pm
by bigpitty1
I got a few more pic up for ya's.

Image
These were the little support brackets off the stock downpipe, I got the angle grinder out and grinded the welds to get them off.

Image
To make make things easier I put the car on some ramps.

Image
I got some vice grips to hold on the bracket on the downpipe so I could weld it on.

Image
This is what it looks like when they are welded on, ready to fit.

Image
Image

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:07 pm
by bigpitty1
Oh yeah, it took me about 3.5 hrs to fit, probably could be done quicker because I had a few breaks.

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:17 pm
by FTO338
Job well done, good on ya :D