Hopefully doing mine tomorrow, great pics. But do you really have to cut it right up next to the turbo? I was planning on reaching up as far as i could from below to do it. But ive got my entire exhaust off right now since im putting my shopbuilt exhaust on after i get the downpipe changed. So did you cut it right there just cuz you didnt have any room from the bottom?

 

WOW you woke up an old thread. I have read that someone cuts it right next to the turbo and also from the bottom. I only did in the upper part.

 

Cutting the pipe up top is certainly easier. If the rest of the exhaust is already out you could disconnect it up pipe from the flange and push the downpipe up a bit for a little more clearance. I was overly concerned with damaging the heat shielding on the firewall so I cut mine from below. Wasn't the easiest of techniques though. Banks has a pretty good instruction sheet in PDF on their website. Its part of the Stinger kit instructions IIRC.

 

Besides damaging the firewall up high like you said, i also wondered about any of the shavings from the saw finding thier way back into the turbo, guess im just being cautious. Ill try it from the bottom first and see what i can do. Thanks guys

 

I cut mine as low as I could from the to and it cam out with out any issue. When cutting the DP make sure you don't cut the uppipe they sit real close to each other. I wouldn't worry about any shavings getting into the turbo

 

Mine seems to have a insulator blanket covering most of the firewall and a formed aluminum pan over this in areas. Is there a way to not pinch/cut/molest the blanket and aluminum shield to gain the needed clearance?

The pics of the clearanced areas really helps! More from others are appreciated.

 

Sheesh. I did this what, 4 years ago? I cut up high and did not come close to hitting anything. Even if you get a shaving in the turbo, it will blow it out immediately. It is really hard to cut down low. There is just so little room for the saw to fit. I remember the pipe being difficult to remove even after cutting it. I think some guys have been able to keep the heat shields in place but I don't think many can. The clearance just is not.there.

 

Probably a dumb question but just thought I would ask. It appears from what I've read that you can only get a 3" down pipe in place; not a 4" correct?

My 96 is 4" from the cat back, do they make a kit with a 3" down pipe and then a transition to 4" to go all the way to the muffler and delete the cat?

Thanks,
Tom

 

Just about all kits for the OBS have 3" dp

The do sell dp's that go 3"to4"

 

3 1/2" is max that you will get in their with out major fire wall work

 

Is it worth the effort to get a 3 1/2" in there or just as well to go with 3" to 4"?

 

Go 3"-4". Plenty of trucks out there running 500+ hp on a 3" DP

 

Sounds good, thanks for the replies! Just found a guy on CL says he has a NIB MBRP 3" down pipe kit asking $75......sounds like a good deal.

It is looking like I might have to replace my turbo so I guess no time like now to replace the down pipe!

Thanks again,
Tom

 

I'd buy it

 

Ok one more question on the down pipe install. to remove the old one, on a 97 does the trans dipstick need to come out?