[tc535i]

So I've got VRSF downpipes, ER intercooler, and ER chargepipe with Tial bov sitting in my living room. I'm going to throw the front up on jackstands Friday night and take my time installing stuff over the weekend.

I'm starting to second guess the downpipe install after reading about everything involved with the installation (crooked installations having clearance issues, dropping steering rack and tightening incorrectly, etc). I don't think I should have any issues with the bumper/intercooler or cp/bov, am I best just tackling those two and taking the downpipes to a shop?

I've got basic mechanical experience, I can swap a suspension or do maintenance work in my garage, so I don't think any of it is too far above my head.

Any input from the guys that have tackled these projects? Appreciate it!

-Tim

[Maniac0908]

Do it. Youll be fine. I went to harbor freight and bought a engine mount support bar and used my tow hook on the engine to hold it up. Gives you more room down there cuz u wont have a jack in the way. Just take your time. And label everything.

[tc535i]

see... that's what I'm talking about, totally unprepared for that. And by the time I'm going to drive around and buy a bar, I'm not that far off from just throwing cash at someone and knowing it'll get done correctly.

Intercooler and chargepipe should be cake, downpipes seem substantially more difficult

[Icewall]

I did everything except downpipes in my driveway. I took my bumper off to do my fmic seeing as i bought a vrsf 7" and knew id have to cut. It made installation much much easier.

Everytiing else just took patience. The downpipes im paying for installation so if anything goes wrong i can have them fix it. I could do it myself but since its my daily driver id rather not gave to rush it or spend a large chunk of my weekend under the car.

[Icewall]

I also figured i didnt want to damage the o2 sensors or strip them. Plus if i needed to buy any tools and spend money that it wouldnt cost much more to pay someone to do it.

Keep in mind ive swapped 1 ton chevy brakes, rebuilt carburators while pumping gas!, even tore half an engine in my driveway apart but i know when its just easier to not break my back if its cheap enough

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by Icewall

Keep in mind ive swapped 1 ton chevy brakes, rebuilt carburators while pumping gas!, even tore half an engine in my driveway apart but i know when its just easier to not break my back if its cheap enough

and that's exactly what this thread is about. Sounds like you've about confirmed my fears about the install, I'll start with the intercooler/cp and see how I feel about it, but it's starting to sound like I'm leaving the downpipes for someone with the right tools (and 90 minutes instead of 4 hrs of busted knuckles and cursing )

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by chili36

No need to buy an engine mount support to do down pipes and you don't need to "drop" the steering rack.

The steering rack gets unbolted and moved to the side a bit to allow more room to work.

where in socal are you? wanna stop by west la on Saturday?

[Icewall]

Its probably not too bad of an install but like anything its easier the 2nd time when you know how to do it best.

Watch ar designs video and go from there.

I think if i had access to a lift i would just do it myself. But i also like the idea that if i have a problem its on the installer not me, that makes the money well spent if you ask me.

[chili36]

Originally Posted by tc535i

where in socal are you? wanna stop by west la on Saturday?

I take that back..Just noticed you have a 535...yeah more of a PITA

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by chili36

I take that back..Just noticed you have a 535...yeah more of a PITA

nah, 335i

[tc535i]

actually, technically I do have a 535i, but it's damn near 25 years old and sitting non-op at my buddy's farm

[chili36]

Originally Posted by tc535i

nah, 335i

Ah!
So like I said, doable on jackstands. Get a 7/8" stubby wrench.

PM me.

[AK 335i]

Originally Posted by chili36

Ah!
So like I said, doable on jackstands. Get a 7/8" stubby wrench.

PM me.

I got a 7/8 " chubby?

[chili36]

Originally Posted by AK 335i

I got a 7/8 " chubby?

Lol..up your ass?
I kidd I kidd

[tc535i]

[cialz]

if your in West LA just go to this guy http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=960755

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by cialz

if your in West LA just go to this guy http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=960755

I'm definitely doing the ic/cp myself, but if I run into issues and decide not to do dp I'll keep him on the short list!

[N3m3sis]

Nothing bolt on, on the 335i is hard to install. At this point if you gave me full mods and a car, i could have it full bolt on in probably 3 hours

You can do the cp and ic without removing the bumper

[cialz]

Originally Posted by tc535i

I'm definitely doing the ic/cp myself, but if I run into issues and decide not to do dp I'll keep him on the short list!

gl this weekend. ic cp looks easy just a lot of time under the car. I met someone who did a dyi at home with his dp he said it was no fun since there is so much "crap in the way" and he had to get a friend to help. so better call up a buddy.

[AK 335i]

Lyle pls

[tc535i]

Originally Posted by N3m3sis

Nothing bolt on, on the 335i is hard to install. At this point if you gave me full mods and a car, i could have it full bolt on in probably 3 hours

You can do the cp and ic without removing the bumper

as helpful as that is, I'm sure it'll be much easier my first time with it off, especially considering I need to trim a bit

Originally Posted by cialz

gl this weekend. ic cp looks easy just a lot of time under the car. I met someone who did a dyi at home with his dp he said it was no fun since there is so much "crap in the way" and he had to get a friend to help. so better call up a buddy.

thanks, I'll definitely have a couple buddies helping, but it's gonna be tough on our backs. seems like the job would be 100x easier on a lift