My TT came with a B&B Lemans installed. It was a bit too loud for me. I changed it out for a Europipe Stage 2 Quiet. I decided to install it myself. Imagine Auto's excellent install writeup http://www.turbo911.com/showthread.php?t=291 gives the details of a typical exhaust install. I will demonstrate a method to DIY the install. Usual disclaimers apply, I assume no responsibility for any bad outcomes.

I used a 24 inch by 48 inch pice of 3/4 inch plywood. Thanks go to Kevin@Ultimatemotorwerks for this idea and other assistance. I then removed the saddle cup from a Sears floor jack. See pic 1EP. I then located a 5/16" carriage bolt of the the proper length along with some washers and nut. See pic 2EP. Drill a 5/16 hole in the middle of the board and attach it to jack. See pics 3EP and 4EP. Pic 4 shows the Europipe ready for installation with the tips and O2 sensors attached. Pic 5EP shows the tools that Europipe provided. Those small head 13mm box wrenches with the extension tube make getting access to the mounting studs on the turbo easy.

Go now to Part Two of this post.

 

I jacked the car with a floor jack under the motor as recommended in the Imagine Auto writeup, but I put the board under the motor with the grain of the wood parallel to the rear axle, so as to minimize splitting the board with the wedge effect of the motor. Pic 6 shows six points of lift support, the four jack stands and wood blocks under both rear tires. The front tires were blocked and the car was in gear with the E-brake on. There is a lot of weight over your head, and I wanted a failsafe approach.

Pic 7 shows the installation platform in position. Pic 8 shows a good use of old paperback books. They are used as shims to get the cats safely above the turbo oil lines. I positioned the mounting holes on the cats on the lower turbo studs. See also pic 8. Then you use the jack (pic9) to slowly raise the muffler while looking carefully that the system is not hanging up or damaging anything. Watch your O2 sensor wires and make sure the system does not drop off the lower turbo studs and is not resting on the oil lines. I had to pull the rear fascia out under the license plate with my hands just a bit when I jacked up the platform so that the muffler cleared it. Then I just pushed the system up onto the upper turbo studs. I put one nut on each turbo to hold the system in place on the turbos. I then removed the platform jack while holding up the muffler with the other hand and positioned the other floor jack with a smaller board under the muffler. See pic 10. This enabled me to get access to the muffler clamps. Then just torque all the nuts and adjust the tips.

Now on to part three.

 

Turn Key and enjoy the europipe sound!

 

Your nuts...no offence. Fot $100 bucks have a professional install it .
JB

 

amazing write up!!.. and I agree with Johnny, but I guess the satisfaction feel of doing it yourself is totally different... nonetheless, awesome job!

ryan

 

Thanks.

Dealer wanted $500+.. I'd trust them to do the job right but...

I did not have enough confidence in the local indepedents.. one would not even give me an estimate..Quoted me $100/hour and just said don't worry, we won't overcharge you... then I heard some tales of bungled exhaust installs from someone who knows.....

I figured I'd call up a buddy if I could not get the exhaust up on to the turbo studs.. it went easier than expected. The platform would help out even in a 2 man install.

Yes it did feel good after I fired it up and it passed a shakedown run.. only myself to blame if something got messed up.. turning wrenches has been a hobby of mine for over 30 years.. old habits die hard....

 

Nice!!! You'll love the exhaust. BTW I drive a 01.5 S4 as a daily too. Perfect compliment to the 996TT...

 

I agree $500 is nuts. It shouldnt cost that much. 150 the most.Anyway I was actually kidding(just a little) I'm sure its nice to do your own work. For me however...its never comes out right.
HA
JB

 

Yeah, its nice doing it yourself. I did have help, brother, and it took a little while. Lowest quote I had was $350.

 

I installed my Europipe by myself. I had the rear wheels up about 10" on wooden blocks. I was able to put the exhaust on my chest on a piece of cardboard and slide under the car. With the car not too far off the ground I could hold the muffler up in position with my knees while I started the turbo/cat nuts. With the Europipe's flexible center it is easy to get the parts all aligned. I would install the tailpipes loosely before lifting the exhaust up into position. I remember struggling to get the tailpipe clamps on. The Imagine Auto instructions were very helpful.

 

thats awesome, thanks for the DIY