I decided to go after the exhaust installation myself, as I had access to a lift and had the tools. Following TT Surgeon's advice, I did not remove the rear bumper cover. I'm not sure removing the rear bumper cover would have made it much easier, as access to the tough-to-get-to fasteners is blocked by other stuff. The most difficut part is removing the stock exhaust, and although not hard to do, it is time consuming. I was prepared for the worst with a few spare studs in case they sheared off in the Turbo housing, but gratefully none broke. All but 2 of the studs backed out of the Turbo housing; this is actually a benefit as it made removing the stock exhaust much easier. I couldn't figure out how to unplug the O2 sensors from the wiring loom, so I removed them from the stock exhaust and left them dangling in place.

My advice for anyone who is going to do their own exhaust installation.

1. Purchase 8 new exhaust turbo studs and replace them all. I was surprised how corroded they had become in only 2 months & 1800 miles. P/N 900-081-059-00
2. Figure out how to disconnect the 4 O2 sensors from the wiring loom. If not, get a 22mm (7/8") crowfoot socket and a stubby 22mm open end wrench.
3. Get new exhaust flange gaskets. Expensive for what they are, but you don't want to do this job twice to fix an exhaust leak. P/N 997-111-217-70
4. A 13mm ratcheting wrench (not socket) is handy. Sears
5. Very helpful was 2 flex U-joint socket extensions coupled together.
6. Bend the "H" bracket ears to conform to the round shape of the Tubi cans before trying to install the clamps - much easier!

5 hours from start to finish, and at least a half an hour was wasted while the engine cooled off a bit. Don't be stupid like me and try to do the job hot. I think could do it again in 4 hours.

The Tubi sounds great - exactly what I was looking for! The Tubi is not a quiet exhaust, but it isn't as loud as the CG loud. At a steady 80 MPH in 6th gear it sounds almost like stock. Open it up, though, and let the glorious noise in! As expected, there is a very, very minor resonance between 2400 and 2500 RPM. It is not present at 2300 or 2600. It's a non-issue, and one could drive all day between 2400 and 2500 and it would not be objectionable - but it is perceptable.

The Tubi's note is different than the CG or AWE - it is hard to describe the difference, but it is definitely different.

Thanks to Eric at SupremePower who provided the lift and another pair of
hands. Pics were taken, and I will post them later.

Dick

 

Heck with pics...SOUND! (actually, post the pics too)

 

Thanks for the great info. I will be installing my own exhaust in a month depending on the delays at factory due to the fire. I still can't decide between CG and tubi.

 

that's great, thanks for sharing! I'm about to get a tubi exhaust system myself too and it was a hard decide between CG loud and Tubi. Congrats! Can't wait to see some sound clips and photos

 

Congrats on the install! Tubi is a great exhaust.

 

Congrats, always feels better to do it yourself.

 

I could sense you are in audio heaven. Congrats!

 

Great job . I applaud the effort. From what i am told the Tubi is one of the toughest to install.

Your description above is like mine in that range . Did you notice any gain with just the exhaust alone ? Since I did all of my engine parts I got a combined effect.

 

It takes only a few minutes to pull the rear bumper and it makes the install so much easier.

 

Not true, it's actually one of the easiest to install bc it's small and one peice. It's a moderate exhaust akin to the FSQ, which is also easy to install.
I prefer to leave body panels intact whenever possible, no matter what anybody says, it's never exactly the same when it's all put back.
I once saw a tuner take a guys bumper off, shims went flying, when they were 'finished' the shims were still on the floor.....I'm sure they weren't needed.

 

This doesn't look like one piece in this photo.(change view)
http://www.championmotorsport.com/997EXHAUST.htm

I have no experience installing these myself . I did want to applaud Dk Reidel though because working on my car is not something I would have the expertise or patience to do. It would not be much fun for me but I respect that others find joy in this.

I had many choices when it came to exhausts and the guys who did my car would have placed anything that I wanted . I had debated between the Tubi and AWE and I liked both of them but had to choose one .

When I mentioned both the technicians expressed that aligning the tips with AWE would have been easier but we went with the Tubi as I really liked the sound so much . I did want the Techart tips to be as level as possible.

 

Each side is one piece from the cat thru the cans up to the tips. So I guess it's technically 2 pieces FWIW.

 

seperate lt/rt exhaust = 2 components.

 

I would like to believe modern day manufacturing allows for the removal and replacement of body panels to be very much an exact science nowadays. Hell, I had the front clip off my Evo 3 times and every time it installed perfectly, fool proof installation. Im sure the 997 rear clip is just the same.

 

Ooooooohhhh yyyaaaaaa!!!