I ordered a Europipe exhaust for the TTS about two weeks ago. Stef at Europipe was a pleasure to deal with. He kept me up to date on manufacturing and shipping progress. The system arrived on the date promised. When I opened the box, I found the exhaust, studs, nuts, specialty tools, anti-seize grease, wires for fishing through the O2 sensor cables, and even a box of Belgian chocolates.

I'm a mechanical engineer in the pharmaceutical industry, so I've seen thousands of orbital weld in stainless steel piping and equipment. The workmanship and quality of the welds on this exhaust system rivals the best.

Stef emailed installation instructions and detailed pictures for the R&R. It took me about seven hours to do the work, and I wasn't rushing.

The rear bumper came off first. (two people recommended). I had to cut the wires and install a connector for the rear laser shifter on my Escort . The rear heat shield and rear fender well liners came off next. Then both intercoolers came off, as well as the upper intercooler induction air hoses. Then the side heat shields came off.

Stef had supplied me with wires to tie to the O2 sensor wires, which were used to fish through the O2 sensor wires on reinstallation.

The next part was the second most challenging- unhooking the O2 sensors from the myriad of clips which secure them.

Finally, off came the exhaust tips, muffler straps, and the nuts securing the exhaust to the turbos. The special 12mm wrenches supplied by Europipe made the nut removal easy. I was lucky, as the studs did not come out with the nuts, but Stef supplied me with a new set of studs just in case.

The OEM exhaust was lowered to the ground, and I removed the O2 sensors (with a wrench supplied by Europipe). Luckily they came loose without heating.

The installation was pretty much the reverse of removal, with the addition of anti-seize on the turbo stud nuts and O2 sensor threads. The hardest part was fishing the #&** O2 sensor wires back through and connecting them to the clips.

One of the most important parts is to make sure that the induction hoses fully seat and lock into the intercoolers.

The new exhaust sounds great. no drone in the cabin, but a great low pitchgrowl outside the car... until you floor it in sport mode- then all hell breaks loose and you get this great symphony of roaring melody.

Just a subjective impression, but the turbos seem to spool up faster and the car feels quicker. it certainly sounds better.

I can't say enough about the customer service focus of Stef and Europipe. His installation instructions and tip were invaluable. and he's just a plain nice guy. Answers your questions, checks up on how the install is going. The quality of workmanship the exhaust is superb. I feel that I really got what I paid for- it's not just about price, but about value.

I've attached a few pictures of the car during various stages of the install.

 

[quote=airmitch;3172953]I ordered a Europipe exhaust for the TTS about two weeks ago. Stef at Europipe was a pleasure to deal with. He kept me up to date on manufacturing and shipping progress. The system arrived on the date promised. When I opened the box, I found the exhaust, studs, nuts, specialty tools, anti-seize grease, wires for fishing through the O2 sensor cables, and even a box of Belgian chocolates.

I
Super writeup. Very thorough and easy to follow. Seems like a lot of work, time and trouble for a small improvement in sound and power. And too, looks like several bad things could happen in the install if not careful. I guess it must be worth it as you indicate. Sadly, however...gone are the days of simple 0.5-1.0 hr muffler installation to gain an improved sound, I guess.

 

[quote=johnww;3172985]Question: Can't just the muffler be changed on the 997.2 leaving factory cats or was that not considered an option??

 

This is standard for Stef and Europipe I said it always this is best you can have, quality, performance, after sales service.
All the rest should stop producing /offering exhausts.

 

I'm not sure if anyone makes a post cat muffler for the 997.2, but the 200 cel cats supplied with the Europipe are certainly less restrictive than the OEM cats.

 

Correction...all his cats are 100 cel unless there has been a change for the 997.2 recently...seems tremendous enginineering in that they don't affect the engine service light. Are you staying comfortble with the in/out cabin sound?

 

I merged this thread and the comments left in your other thread: Corrected- New Europipe installation in 997.2 TTS

Excellent choice of exhausts!

bob

 

Nice to hear that all went fine with the installation.
Be careful when doing WOT runs at midnight because it is really really loud and you will wake up the whole neighborhood.

So it took you one hour to get it out of the box, one hour of looking at it, one hour of drinking beer and four hours to do the actual installation.
Hey, four hours is not that bad Mitch !

 

Nice work thanks for the pics and write up. I too can concur that Stef offers unparalleled service and his product is top - best mod and worth every penny of money and effort for the easiest hp you can get form a turbo car.

To the OP: I just cant believe you shredded that heavy duty box in which the exhaust came! That is a work of art in itself, and a perfect place to save the stock exhaust! Enjoy in good health and dont listen to Stef - keep your foot down at all times!

 

After a few weeks and a few hundred miles, I can say that the Europipe installation was well worth it! It adds that tone which the factory setup is lacking, without being obtrusive in everyday driving. The car feels faster too.

Now, if only Steff included a case of Belgian beer with every exhaust...

 

I've send you 2 cases of fine Blonde Ale, didn't you receive them ?

 

Stef,

In didn't receive the beer, but I did see a drunk Customs guy staggering around recently.

 

Thinking of doing the same. Thanks for the detailed info.