Where to get Test Pipes installed?

buis370 · 02-11-2019, 11:29 PM

Hey guys, I bought some ART pipes and I'm really excited to get them on the car. However, I've asked around at a few shops and most aren't willing to do any work on the stock cats.

I was wondering if anyone knew of a shop in DFW that would do the install for a decent price.. or if anyone would be willing to help me, that would be sweet too

CRiZO · 02-12-2019, 09:05 AM

I've had the same problem in the past, I always had to install myself. It's why my Z is still stock cats.

I had exhaust authority install my catback and really liked them, good rates. Worth asking them, but I doubt it. You try all the usual performance shops? I imagine SOMEONE will do it, but you're probably looking at a few hundo for it. You may have better luck if you ask in person with cash on hand.

Jayhovah · 02-12-2019, 10:07 AM

Performance shops may not take it on, but any decent muffler shop probably wouldn't bat an eye.. Plenty of us DIY the job.

VQZ34 · 02-12-2019, 10:27 AM

You don't need much tools besides, but you'll need deep sockets or impact deep sockets, "don't use 12 sided sockets only 6" a breaker bar, extensions "I just went to HF and bought a set, I thought they wouldn't hold up but they did," and one of those swivel sockets, but for one of the bolts that is next to the steering rack, use a short socket because deep sockets won't work, and just use penetrating oil well before you start and you'll be free of the demon bolt.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Jayhovah · 02-12-2019, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VQZ34

You don't need much tools besides, but you'll need deep sockets or impact deep sockets, "don't use 12 sided sockets only 6" a breaker bar, extensions "I just went to HF and bought a set, I thought they wouldn't hold up but they did," and one of those swivel sockets, but for one of the bolts that is next to the steering rack, use a short socket because deep sockets won't work, and just use penetrating oil well before you start and you'll be free of the demon bolt.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Good advice here... I would add - Make sure to have a QUALITY (!!) set of bolt extractors on hand, as you may start rounding off the demon bolt as I did on the drivers side using the methodology above. Once we put the extractor on, we finally got enough grip on the bolt and ended up snapping it off - which is just as effective as getting it to unthread.

buis370 · 02-13-2019, 01:58 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like this will be a weekend DIY project... Most the shops that were willing to do it were quoting me $400-500 and that's way too much. Might as well just buy the tools myself.

JARblue · 02-13-2019, 02:17 PM

I recommend you Google "demon bolt" before you decide to DIY. Not that it can't be done - just make sure you're up for the challenge.

Try to find a shop that has never done it before. They are more likely to charge less cause they don't know what they are in for lol. And not much they can screw up - about the worst case is they have to torch the bolt and replace it.

buis370 · 02-13-2019, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

I recommend you Google "demon bolt" before you decide to DIY. Not that it can't be done - just make sure you're up for the challenge.

Try to find a shop that has never done it before. They are more likely to charge less cause they don't know what they are in for lol. And not much they can screw up - about the worst case is they have to torch the bolt and replace it.

Haha I’ve read my fair share of horror stories involving the infamous demon bolts. It’s the only reason why I’m considering a shop in the first place.

Good suggestion on finding a shop that isn’t familiar with the 370z, I might have to make a few more phone calls. I’d say $100-200 isn’t a bad price to just avoid the headache altogether, but $400-500 is just pushing it!

JARblue · 02-13-2019, 05:58 PM

Most of the shops I know of charged around $150-200 for the install the first time and then more than doubled their price after that.

buis370 · 02-18-2019, 09:27 AM

Install was successful guys! It took about 8 hours total; 4 hours spread across 2 days, but I got it done! The driver side demon bolt got rounded out so I had to use bolt extractors, but we got it to work.

Unfortunately my SES light came on after driving for a while, and resetting the ECU didn’t really help. I guess I’ll have to figure that part out next

Chuck33079 · 02-18-2019, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buis370

Unfortunately my SES light came on after driving for a while, and resetting the ECU didn’t really help. I guess I’ll have to figure that part out next

Nothing to figure out there. Either get a tune or try those J shaped extenders. The extenders can be hit or miss, but they're cheap. The tune is the best way to go, but you may want to finish off your modding plans before you bite that bullet.

buis370 · 02-19-2019, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Nothing to figure out there. Either get a tune or try those J shaped extenders. The extenders can be hit or miss, but they're cheap. The tune is the best way to go, but you may want to finish off your modding plans before you bite that bullet.

Yeah, just saving up for a CBE and then I’ll get a tune! Do any of you Texas guys have issues passing inspection with the test pipes? Seems to be 50/50 from what I’ve read online

Chuck33079 · 02-19-2019, 02:33 PM

That depends on your county. I just can't have any CELs and I'm good.

02-11-2019, 11:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
buis370 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 27 Drives: ['16 370z Sport 6MT] Rep Power: 7	Where to get Test Pipes installed? Hey guys, I bought some ART pipes and I'm really excited to get them on the car. However, I've asked around at a few shops and most aren't willing to do any work on the stock cats. I was wondering if anyone knew of a shop in DFW that would do the install for a decent price.. or if anyone would be willing to help me, that would be sweet too

02-13-2019, 02:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	I recommend you Google "demon bolt" before you decide to DIY. Not that it can't be done - just make sure you're up for the challenge. Try to find a shop that has never done it before. They are more likely to charge less cause they don't know what they are in for lol. And not much they can screw up - about the worst case is they have to torch the bolt and replace it. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

02-13-2019, 05:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	Most of the shops I know of charged around $150-200 for the install the first time and then more than doubled their price after that. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

02-18-2019, 09:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
buis370 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 27 Drives: ['16 370z Sport 6MT] Rep Power: 7	Install was successful guys! It took about 8 hours total; 4 hours spread across 2 days, but I got it done! The driver side demon bolt got rounded out so I had to use bolt extractors, but we got it to work. Unfortunately my SES light came on after driving for a while, and resetting the ECU didn’t really help. I guess I’ll have to figure that part out next Jayhovah and wideglideleon like this.

02-19-2019, 02:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	That depends on your county. I just can't have any CELs and I'm good. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

02-12-2019, 09:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
CRiZO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Dallas Posts: 672 Drives: in traffic Rep Power: 20698	I've had the same problem in the past, I always had to install myself. It's why my Z is still stock cats. I had exhaust authority install my catback and really liked them, good rates. Worth asking them, but I doubt it. You try all the usual performance shops? I imagine SOMEONE will do it, but you're probably looking at a few hundo for it. You may have better luck if you ask in person with cash on hand.

02-12-2019, 10:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
VQZ34 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Stockton Posts: 197 Drives: 97 acura CL Rep Power: 10	You don't need much tools besides, but you'll need deep sockets or impact deep sockets, "don't use 12 sided sockets only 6" a breaker bar, extensions "I just went to HF and bought a set, I thought they wouldn't hold up but they did," and one of those swivel sockets, but for one of the bolts that is next to the steering rack, use a short socket because deep sockets won't work, and just use penetrating oil well before you start and you'll be free of the demon bolt. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

02-13-2019, 01:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
buis370 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 27 Drives: ['16 370z Sport 6MT] Rep Power: 7	Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like this will be a weekend DIY project... Most the shops that were willing to do it were quoting me $400-500 and that's way too much. Might as well just buy the tools myself.

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