Hiya guys,

I can buy a decatted downpipe and I was wondering if this is easy or HELL to fit?!? and If there are ANY DIY.. would be great.. I searched the net and the forum without any results.

many thanks guys!

Coen

 

Here's the instructions for the Alta downpipe:
http://www.altaperformance.com/share.../ampext140.pdf

Those heat shield bolts can be a pain!

 

also dont forget the o2 sensors

 

Yes, go to Checker or Autozone and get the free rental O2 tools, they help a lot, and you won't f up the sensors.

 

Did this myself for the alta turbo downpipe(actually did the full exhaust)...the hardest part of the installation as mentioned above, is the removal(AND REINSTALLATION) of the OEM turbo heatshield...the bolts are in the most painful spots(poor engineering by bmw)....other than these bolts the installation is fairly straightforward....good luck!!!

 

lol... the good news is that it's only about 10 bolts, and all but three of them are very easy to get to and shouldn't give you too much trouble. as for the other three (located along the bottom of the top heat shield), they caused a lot of creative language to escape my lips. It was more difficult for me because I didn't have the ideal tools for the job. It would be a great idea to get under the bonnet with the Alta instructions, identify the heat shield bolt locations, and see how your tools fit. My slim socket set has a short handle and the reach was very difficult because clearance in front of the engine is smaller than the average hand holding a tool.

Definitely get penetrating lubricant and spray the bolts going from the top of the downpipe into the turbo before you even try to take them off. When putting everything back together use anti-seize compound on the threading for those bolts and the o2 sensors as well.

I'm not sure if you are in the US, but if you are, expect CEL's from the increased emissions. The EU spec cars don't seem to have any trouble with catless downpipes. That makes no sense to me what-so-ever since I always understood the EU to be generally more strict about pollution than we are in the US.

Give yourself the better part of a day in case a few bolts really kick your butt. It could be an under 2 hour job if everything went smooth but for me it was more like 5 with all the screwing around trying to get at those tough bolts both getting them off and back on.

Be very careful with the o2 sensors. They break really easy. It would probably be a good idea to follow their pigtails leads to the connectors on the other end and detach them before unscrewing the sensors.

I've found that most mods end up being harder jobs than they look like they are going to be but more rewarding for the extra effort. As long as you aren't they type that will totally lose your temper and break stuff go for it!

 

Ain't that the truth!

 

I just finished installing a coldside boost tube from ALTA... took me hours, because the MINI is such a tight place to work, with wicked tight parts as well! Cut my hands up well, but it is so much more satisfactory to do it yourself than pay someone to do it for you. I say, go for it! I wish you luck!

Tonight.... hot side boost tube!