Downpipe install..

[UCF120]

This thread is more so going to be for people that are going to run into this issue in the future while installing the downpipe like I have. I never came across anyone having this issue on any of the dozens of videos I watched and threads I read prior to installing. I’m a pro at having issues while working on cars that no one else has so par for the course.

***side note*** I had 0 issue removing the two bolts and two nuts securing the downpipe to the turbo. They came off easily. This is one thing everyone I spoke with and saw videos on came across. It’s the one thing I had 0 issue with on this install.

So…

This tool:

Which I have used to remove o2 sensors for every car I have ever owned, doesn’t work on this car. It’s too thick to get down into the little shield this o2 sensor has. So if you have this, don’t use it as it won’t work.

So, I went and bought this tool:

This tool (purchased at advanced auto) did a fantastic job of striping the o2 sensor nut. It’s the correct size but just did not work. Thin walled o2 sensor. I saw it spinning but all it was doing was spinning on the nut

So, in my infinite wisdom, I sprayed some PB blaster on it thinking maybe this thing is seized somehow.

Then I went to Autozone and purchased this tool:

this was the tool that worked! However, once I got the o2 sensor out, I saw that some of the penetrating fluid had leaked down into the tip of the o2 sensor. Consensus is split whether this will negatively affect the o2 sensor reading correctly. Since I didn’t want to mess with that, I had to order a new one from Honda which cost me an additional $150 and it won’t be here for over a week since it’s special order and no one has it in stock .

Just a PSA for anyone attempting to install a downpipe at home. Have the right tool for the o2 sensor to avoid going through this. My car is down for a week now because of it.

 

[kineticstate]

Hi! This is good tip and I got this exact tool because of it! Any other tips here? Any special wobble extensions or tools outside of the ordinary sockets and breaker bar? Thanks in advance! Tackling this soon

 

[alSpeed2k]

Then I went to Autozone and purchased this tool:

this was the tool that worked!

Sorry to hear about your issues. Do you have a brand and part number for this tool?

Thanks

 

[kineticstate]

Sorry to hear about your issues. Do you have a brand and part number for this tool?

Thanks

I think this is it

 

[Evox787]

I’m not planning on putting a downpipe on mine because of the stubborn studs, and I don’t want to deal with a check engine light later on . But thanks for the good info! Regarding your O2 sensor—if you were to do it again, what approach do you think would be the best to avoid damaging it with penetrating fluid? Maybe order a spare ahead of time?

Also, did you go with titanium hardware for the downpipe? I can’t remember where I heard it, but apparently even with titanium hardware the stud issues persist. I’m not sure how true that is, since my understanding is that titanium handles heat better than steel.

 

[22Si]

I’m not planning on putting a downpipe on mine because of the stubborn studs, and I don’t want to deal with a check engine light later on . But thanks for the good info! Regarding your O2 sensor—if you were to do it again, what approach do you think would be the best to avoid damaging it with penetrating fluid? Maybe order a spare ahead of time?

Also, did you go with titanium hardware for the downpipe? I can’t remember where I heard it, but apparently even with titanium hardware the stud issues persist. I’m not sure how true that is, since my understanding is that titanium handles heat better than steel.

I hear you and I feel like if you have the space and time where you can leave the car parked and spend a day or two spring penetrating fluid and taking your time it's not so bad. honestly I would pay a shop to do it at this point LOL.

As for the titanium people claim that it can Gall or loosen on its own. I think for people that are constantly uninstalling and reinstalling the downpipe turbo and modifying if I make sense to go to titanium?


Edit: found the thread RE:Titanium

https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threa...ne-studs-leave-or-replace.63244/#post-1034246

 

[Evox787]

I hear you and I feel like if you have the space and time where you can leave the car parked and spend a day or two spring penetrating fluid and taking your time it's not so bad. honestly I would pay a shop to do it at this point LOL.

As for the titanium people claim that it can Gall or loosen on its own. I think for people that are constantly uninstalling and reinstalling the downpipe turbo and modifying if I make sense to go to titanium?


Edit: found the thread RE:Titanium

https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threa...ne-studs-leave-or-replace.63244/#post-1034246

Thanks for that information. Accurate, too. I think that’s a job—like the suspension on these cars—that I really believe is better handled by someone who does it constantly. They’re amazing cars, but complicated enough that a regular person can’t easily work on them. In the past, Hondas made you think about it, but now it’s on another level. For example, the brake fluid process requires you to start from the driver’s side, work your way back, and then press the e-brake 100 times. What kind of sorcery is that?!

 

[kineticstate]

Thanks for that information. Accurate, too. I think that’s a job—like the suspension on these cars—that I really believe is better handled by someone who does it constantly. They’re amazing cars, but complicated enough that a regular person can’t easily work on them. In the past, Hondas made you think about it, but now it’s on another level. For example, the brake fluid process requires you to start from the driver’s side, work your way back, and then press the e-brake 100 times. What kind of sorcery is that?!

i agree about suspension being geometric wizardry but the downpipe seems to be easy—just be serious about prep and sequencing steps l and a little bit of luck…gorsh i hope i don’t jinx myself LOL

 

[ctechauto]

I hear you and I feel like if you have the space and time where you can leave the car parked and spend a day or two spring penetrating fluid and taking your time it's not so bad. honestly I would pay a shop to do it at this point LOL.

As for the titanium people claim that it can Gall or loosen on its own. I think for people that are constantly uninstalling and reinstalling the downpipe turbo and modifying if I make sense to go to titanium?


Edit: found the thread RE:Titanium

https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threa...ne-studs-leave-or-replace.63244/#post-1034246

This is what my shop in DFW handles all the time. Along with suspension and bolt ons. Our bread and butter.

Yes, as common as the studs like to snap, we work with a local machine shop that built their own fixture to work on these turbos when we bring them in. So it will be done right in the end, either way (I've seen people dont even bother repairing/extracting the broken ones and just leave 3 or even 2 studs bolted up )

https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/ctech-auto-dfw-tx-type-r-specialist-shop.62651/

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