Thanks, everyone! Looks like I'll go for it later this month.

 

My aftermarket exhaust on my 335 was actually rubbing against the exhaust cutouts and there was no melting.

 

All right..... thanks to fernflex and Thumper I placed my order. Called Justin on Friday and he got it shipped out the same morning. Looks like I may have to take off next Thursday for a little install session.

 

I just placed my order today. That means futuremini got the last exhaust....Dangit. Well I guess that means I get to play the waiting game again. Oh well. One question. I have been reading up on the Downpipe from Exhaust depot. I know he can't make it to just bolt on, but am I right that you can have a shop weld it up for you?

 

Yea...his downpipe is too long and goes past where the Invidia connects to the downpipe. The Invidia would have to be cut to the correct length and then it can be used. I really want one of his downpipes, but really don't want to cut my Invidia.

 

Is removing the stock exhaust fairly easy? No cutting? Just unbolt and slide the whole system out? Is there a gasket where it connects to the DP? I got the Invidia exhaust on friday and plan on installing tonight, just curious what i'm getting into lol.

 

It's sooooooooo easy!

I did it myself, with the car on ramps. There is one clamp to loosen where it connects to the DP and that was stuck on pretty good, but once you get that, its a breeze. Just use lots of WD40 on the rubber hangers and it will slide right out very easily...its all one piece.

The Invidia is 3 pieces, but it goes on very easy. WD40 those hangers too and they'll go right in.

Let us know when you get it on!! You'll love it, it continues to impress me everytime I drive my car.

 

Guess who is getting his Q300 exhaust tomorrow? Yep Rowan is getting it put on in the morning! I took off work just so I could put it on!

 

Hahaha I left work early when I found out it had been delivered, just to put it on, so I know where your coming from!

Hope you enjoy it, I'm sure you will!

 

i burnt myself a little =/ couldnt wait haha not bad tho!

 

Sounds like something I would do too!
I waited until this morning because I want to see if the wife will notice the difference. She doesn't know that I have it yet! I am taking her to lunch today so we shall see then.

 

Ok got it installed this morning quick. Mangled the stock gasket a little since it's an odd design but was able to get it bent back into shape and reuse it. Getting the old system off was cake, especially after removing that metal flat crossbrace type deal under one of the factory cats. Just 6 10mm bolts and that plate comes right off. Mounting the Invidia system was very very easy. The only couple problems I have is that with the factory Aerokit the tips on the muffler don't just touch the rear bumper, they push against it. No melting but still i'll be figuring something out there (longer rubber mounts maybe?). The other thing is I get a very distinct burning smell, but nothing is melting or burner. The only thing the exhaust is touching is the bumper and that's fine. Is it just crud burning off from inside the exhaust?

Oh and this exhaust sounds freaken fantastic btw! Nice stock sounding idle, tooling around nice stock noise, but if you get on it...what an awesome sound! Not to mention it just looks awesome nice polished finished, great welds, and the tips don't look goofy big on the car.

 

Mine did the same, the smell will go away it might be the bending compond they use still may be in the tube. Try loosening the two clamps and put pressure up on the center tube and tighten, that might help on your tip clearence.

 

Ok cool, thanks! For now I actually just went in the parking lot at work and put a couple heavy duty zip ties around the rubber muffler hangers, width wise, not length wise. To make the muffler hang just a tiny bit lower. Works for now it's just barely not touching the bumper now lol. Could probably fit a business card in between but I think that might be enough.

As far as the clamps go, i'll do it that way when I get home so it's fixed "proper". Any idea on torque specs for the clamps? I just cinched em down until they were tight enough to me lol.

 

You have to watch how tight I broke one of the bolts on the clamp twisted in two they are probably only grade 2 bolts which are soft I put some grade 8 bolts in and had no problems. It can be close and you will not have any problems melting had mine on now for almost 2 months in 95+ just fine.

 

Yea, the burning smell is normal and will go away. Mine smoked a ton the first few days also.

I'm glad you like the sound!!!

 

I am very interested in the Invidia Q300.
Particularly that it fits the existing OEM DP.
Question for you guys:
Are there any other catbacks that have the same connection type (So that the system does not need to be cut)?
I would like to compare and have listened most of the "You Tube" audio's.
My Mini should be here next week and I have time to look around for the right sound and performance.
Thanks

 

I'm taking a trip to CT this weekend to help a friend move, so that'll be a good test of how it sounds after some miles and a good way to get rid of that burning smell lol. Oh and the sound...I couldn't be happier. I was actually almost upset when I first started the car. It almost sounded more QUIET than stock lol. But when you rev it the sound is great!

Plus my butt dyno indicates a slight gain as well, i'm thinking because the turbo can spool up quicker now with less back pressure?

I hope at some point Invidia comes out with a downpipe that replaces the factory one as nicely as this system replaces the rest of the factory exhaust.

Next month, DDM Race intake that uses the hoodscoop like it should be used! I figure with that and the exhaust i'm set for a while...well maybe.

 

Intake is good for the next mod but it is like a lays potato chip you can't stop with just one
The more mods the better.

 

You'll get plenty more sound when you start it up and at idle as it breaks in some more . Sounds great when I start it up in the garage in the morning...definitely not stock sounding.

 

How long (approximately) do you figure for the exhaust to break in the most? Went out for a drive on my lunch break....mmm love that sound!

 

I just installed a header on my Miata and it created noxious fumes for fewer than 200 miles. A full CBE like the Q300 could be longer, but your experience may vary. The sound will also mellow out as the exhaust burns in (usually the same period as the fumage).

 

Ok so the muffler position is much better now after fiddling with stuff, the downside is now the mid pipe hits that metal shield that is bolted underneath the pipe (closest to the ground, not the car) The one I had to remove to easily get the factory exhaust off. It's held on by 6 10mm bolts. I'm wondering if I should just take this piece off completely? Or take it off and cut a small notch in it. No matter how I position the pipe it contacts it on bumps or when taking off enough to notice. Any input? Do I really need that shield?

 

try loosening both clamps try to slide middle pipe back as far as you can without losing engagement in front pipe, that puts the bend as far back as possible, then use a small piece of wood about 1" thk put between pipe and the brace to hold pipe off of it and tighten clamps then remove wood it should stay in place and give you more clearence plus more tip clearence.

 

Good idea! The rear clamp was a little loose after checking it...so that was part of the problem. I tightened that a little just now in the parking lot at work, but any major adjustments will have to wait until i have a jack to use heh.