Drivetrain Anyone interested in a group buy of a Miltek catback system for MCS
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 279
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From: Bay Area, CA
Hi Monike, was yours shipped by UPS? Just curious. Thx.
Originally Posted by Monike
Received a large box from Webb yesterday and it is full of shiny exhaust parts. It shows it was shipped on 4/6 so all of you should see them soon. I was hoping to put on the new rear sway bar at the same time but it hasn't shown up yet (ordered 2/17)- tried to call Randy yesterday and his mailbox was full so couldn't leave a message. Hope to have it on this weekend and put a few miles on to see how it sounds.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by fs-mini
Hi Monike, was yours shipped by UPS? Just curious. Thx.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 186
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From: Henderson, Nevada, USA
follow up & first impressions..................
Guys, I just couldn't resist opening the box and checking things out.
The kit was nicely packed and the fasteners and fittings were secured in a separate bag. They even included rubber gloves and joint compound! This is a quality peice, the welds are perfect, all bends are smooth and the SS mufflers are almost too pretty to hide under the car The tubes looks big, that little motor ought to breathe well through this thing! The instructions don't have any pics but read well hopefully it will go on as easy as it looks. I'll time myself putting it on and report back on what I find...................mgg
The kit was nicely packed and the fasteners and fittings were secured in a separate bag. They even included rubber gloves and joint compound! This is a quality peice, the welds are perfect, all bends are smooth and the SS mufflers are almost too pretty to hide under the car The tubes looks big, that little motor ought to breathe well through this thing! The instructions don't have any pics but read well hopefully it will go on as easy as it looks. I'll time myself putting it on and report back on what I find...................mgg
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, Nevada, USA
done!
Okay guys I started at 4:00PM Nevada time and just finished the road test at 6:43PM. My wife is calling me about dinner so I gotta roll but I'll post my comments about the installation later tonight. First driving impressions?? I'll give ya' a hint, I'm driving with the HK off, sunroof wide open and the windows down so I can listen to the new music!! More later...................mgg (MTR ON)
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
I am done with the installing, just came back from a test drive. It took me about 4 hr. vs. 2 hr. stated in Randy's 'How To', however, it is not as difficult as thought. Just follow the steps in the 'How To'.
The following summerizes my installation experience ...
1) One of the two bolts connecting to the CAT took me like half an hour to get it loosen. I tried WD40 it, iced it, still not coming off, until I changed my position which I can use better power from my right arm, then it loosen.
2) The system only provide two 10x35mm bolt which are only good to connect either the Y-pipe piece to the middle piece or the CAT to the middle piece. The two factory bolts connecting the stock system to CAT are stuck, so cannot reuse them. So, went to Home Depot and bought two 10-1.5x35mm for connection.
3) The hangers on the stock system are not so hard to remove from the rubbers (maybe because mine is 2005 model, the rubber is still soft). Just use plenty of WD40. The Channel Lock method Randy mentioned works well too.
4) If the tip seems not aligning to center, just pull the exhaust toward the side you want from under the car, it can be moved and adjusted. In my case, I think was the two inner hanger were pushed slightly different in depth originally, after pulling, they sit better.
5) The sound is definitely louder than stock when step on gas, when idle, it is pretty much the same but just a bit deeper tone.
6) There is smell when I test drove after install, is it normal? Is the smell coming from the exhaust paste, or because the system is still new?
7) Don't know what to do with the stock exhaust, any idea? Will junk yard takes it?
Happy installing and motoring with the new exhaust.
The following summerizes my installation experience ...
1) One of the two bolts connecting to the CAT took me like half an hour to get it loosen. I tried WD40 it, iced it, still not coming off, until I changed my position which I can use better power from my right arm, then it loosen.
2) The system only provide two 10x35mm bolt which are only good to connect either the Y-pipe piece to the middle piece or the CAT to the middle piece. The two factory bolts connecting the stock system to CAT are stuck, so cannot reuse them. So, went to Home Depot and bought two 10-1.5x35mm for connection.
3) The hangers on the stock system are not so hard to remove from the rubbers (maybe because mine is 2005 model, the rubber is still soft). Just use plenty of WD40. The Channel Lock method Randy mentioned works well too.
4) If the tip seems not aligning to center, just pull the exhaust toward the side you want from under the car, it can be moved and adjusted. In my case, I think was the two inner hanger were pushed slightly different in depth originally, after pulling, they sit better.
5) The sound is definitely louder than stock when step on gas, when idle, it is pretty much the same but just a bit deeper tone.
6) There is smell when I test drove after install, is it normal? Is the smell coming from the exhaust paste, or because the system is still new?
7) Don't know what to do with the stock exhaust, any idea? Will junk yard takes it?
Happy installing and motoring with the new exhaust.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, Nevada, USA
My experience was similiar to FS-mini's except, none of my bolts were stuck (life in the desert has it's advantages) but I fought those d**n orange rubber hangers for about 45 minutes. My total install time was about 2-1/2 hours but I have a full car lift in my garage. I also had to come up with two bolts since the two fasteners at the front flange of the stock system were pressed in studs (my car is an 04 MCS). The two toughest parts for me were: 1.) dropping down the stock system, it's all one piece clumsy to handle by one person and very heavy. 2.) the cursed orange rubber hangers
Otherwise it was pretty straight forward project and didn't require any specilized tools. The workmanship on the system is first rate and it really does bolt on. I had the same experience with a funky burning smell and some blue smoke after the car was warm. My quess is it is residue oil and gunk left inside the system from the manufacturing process. It does seem a shame to just throw away the stock exhaust system it only has 6K miles on it!! I took a bunch of pictures during the project any member of NAM that wants copies just send me a PM and I'll e-mail them to you............................mgg (MTR ON)
Otherwise it was pretty straight forward project and didn't require any specilized tools. The workmanship on the system is first rate and it really does bolt on. I had the same experience with a funky burning smell and some blue smoke after the car was warm. My quess is it is residue oil and gunk left inside the system from the manufacturing process. It does seem a shame to just throw away the stock exhaust system it only has 6K miles on it!! I took a bunch of pictures during the project any member of NAM that wants copies just send me a PM and I'll e-mail them to you............................mgg (MTR ON)
Last edited by gomezmgg; Apr 15, 2005 at 10:51 PM. Reason: spelling, spelling,spelling
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
I just went from excited to worried...
I am excited that the system may be here soon.
The bolt thing has me worried. I don't know how easy it is going to be to get two new bolts since I have the pressed studs like mgg (found that out the hard way with the short shift kit install). I should be able to find something, but it may take a while.
Otherwise, I am sure I have duct tape around here somewhere....
I am excited that the system may be here soon.
The bolt thing has me worried. I don't know how easy it is going to be to get two new bolts since I have the pressed studs like mgg (found that out the hard way with the short shift kit install). I should be able to find something, but it may take a while.
Otherwise, I am sure I have duct tape around here somewhere....
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
If only it were that easy.
I am in Italy, so you have to catch them when they are not on their days off, it is not a holiday, not lunch, not on strike. Adds up to being open about four days a year (or so it seems). I am sure I am going to be able to find something that will work. I was just hoping that it would all be included in the kit. I sheared one of the bolts off when I did the short shift kit install. The dealer replaced it, but I am sure I am going to need to come up with one more.
I am just anxious to hear it now!
I am in Italy, so you have to catch them when they are not on their days off, it is not a holiday, not lunch, not on strike. Adds up to being open about four days a year (or so it seems). I am sure I am going to be able to find something that will work. I was just hoping that it would all be included in the kit. I sheared one of the bolts off when I did the short shift kit install. The dealer replaced it, but I am sure I am going to need to come up with one more.
I am just anxious to hear it now!
