Should I Install a Test Pipe Yet?

[HighSun_Murder]

you can get those spring loaded bolts cheap. u might find them locally for like $10 a piece. Or go to: Online Mazda Parts they have everything for our cars

[DaleNixon]

I have a plan. I'm going to buy some longer bolts at autozone then reuse the factory springs from the spring bolts. That should be good, no?

[karl-hungus]

Originally Posted by DaleNixon I have a plan. I'm going to buy some longer bolts at autozone then reuse the factory springs from the spring bolts. That should be good, no?

dale, you're gonna re-use the cbe side gasket off the 2nd cat too, right? you should be good to go. it should look like the stock set up - a spring between flanges.

longer bolts, cbe side gasket and springs ma ma ma make me happy

[Dash08]

The springs do not go between the flanges.

[DaleNixon]

I know where the springs go. They go towards the back of the car on the bolt side. I bought some 75MM bolts that I hope to God will work on the CBE side with the stock springs. I will hunt tonight for long bolts that are metric 10 with 1.25 thread pitch. Three hardware stores at lunch with no luck. Dammit! I feel like such a freaking idiot!

I will try to put the stock donut gasket on the end of the test pipe this time too.

[Dash08]

You're not an idiot man. This is the shit you go through when you buy used parts.

It sucks, but you'll figure it out.

[DaleNixon]

I had a lot of fun when I got my used swaybar and the guy didn't include the necessary collars.

[karl-hungus]

you can do it, dale!

[glocK23]

WHAT THE FUCK IS TAKING YOU SO LONG?!

Just kidding dale, hey, if autozone doesn't have the good stuff for ya, go to homedepot or lowes, they have a larger selection of bolts. I had to get different bolts too, fuck spring loaded bolts man.

Good luck!

[DaleNixon]

I got some M10 x 1.25 75mm bolts from Lowes. I used those on the downpipe side with a washer and the stock spring. The spring is pretty compressed but the bolt was still a bit loose, so I doubled up on the nut side of the downpipe with additional nuts tightened to all hell. (I know that probably makes no fucking sense).

On the CBE side I absolutely could not fit the stock gasket on. I don't think the SLS pipe is intended to be used with the stock gasket. I used some M10 x 1.50 60mm bolts with the stock spring. I put two nuts on the other end and tightened them up against each other as the springs were pretty compressed on this side too. (I know that probably makes doubly no fucking sense).

I fired up the car and listened for leaks. I plugged the exhaust with a towel and listened for more leaks. I did all I could to detect leaks at the downpipe and cbe and could not find any. The "spring" bolts are now in place and the test pipe does have a little bit of "wiggle" room now.

I'm done working on this fucking mod. I'm gonna let it ride for a few days and see how it's doing. I'll put it up on ramps and check my bolts and check for leaks on Friday. If I find any, I'll probably put the stock test pipe back on and order the fucking SU pipe at a later date.

If anyone out there is considering a test pipe I have some advice: JUST BUY THE FUCKING SU PIPE AND CALL IT A DAY. SLS pipe fits like shit, Corksport pipe fits like shit (allegedly), and I've heard nothing but good things about the SU pipe.

I guess this shit turned into a rant. It just sucks wasting two nights on something that should take 45 minutes to an hour!

I haven't beaten on the car yet, but I do like the exhaust note. It isn't much louder, but the pulses coming out of the pipe are more pronounced and mean sounding. I have the Racing Beat CBE, and I missed the stock sound a bit. With a test pipe, the Racing Beat wakes back up to stock sound levels with a nice touch of hard pulsing.

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice. This forum fucking rocks!

[glocK23]

don't worry man, i doubt it will leak anytime soon. just haul ass and enjoy it!

[Dash08]

Technically, having the springs compressed too much diminishes their effectiveness, but it's better than having no springs at all.

You should be fine. Just keep an eye on those connections.

Glad to help man. As you can tell, I've swapped out mid-pipes about 5 times now.

[DaleNixon]

I might eventually replace the springs with shorter ones or buy some new stockers and cut them. Anyone know where I might be able to find some springs that would work?

Also, I found the SLS test pipe install guide. It's a fucking joke. Here's the entirety of it:

MS3 Test Pipe Be sure to keep track of where all the hardware goes as you will be reusing all the stock hardware with 1 exception explained below. The easiest way to keep track is to lay all the hardware out in order that you took it off. Hardware Exception: You will need to cut 1 of the springs in half and use half a spring instead of a full spring. The rubber hangers can be removed as our pipe does not use them. Thanks SLS Performance 3601 So. State Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 USA Salt Lake Street Performance, Inc. sales@slsperformance.com

[Dash08]

That's lame.

Why is it so difficult to write up some decent instructions?

These companies should've realized by now that noobs are going to be installing these parts. (not saying you're a noob.)