I know all about lining up the Tips. Getting mine lined up was next to impossible. Nothing a block of wood and a ten pound sledge couldn't handle. Since the SRT-8 is a genuine dual exhaust (I think....hope) it should be a little easier.
Another tip: Take a tube of anti-seize with you. Put anti-seize on the narrowband sensor THREADS when you re-install them. Avoid getting anti-seize on the sensor (tip part) itself.
No. The bungs can be installed independently. The bungs are sort of like a large nut with threads inside. You cut a hole in the pipe (best place is on the driver's side pretty close to the existing narrowband in front of the cats and slightly offset) weld the bung in the hole. Then, if you don't have a wideband sensor to install you need to plug the hole. A bung plug is just a threaded plug that plugs the bung hole. If you have an old spark plug with the right threads you could use that. Any place that has bungs most likely has bung plugs too. Use anti-seize on the threads. The thing is that you can't really cut the hole and weld the bung in with the cats installed on the car. Call your local muffler/performance shops and see if you can swing by with the cat and have them install a bung on your way to install the cats. Really simple job for a muffler shop. Especially with the cat off of the car already.
Here is something related to think about (since you didn't get the widebands yet...). If the hi-flow cats work really well how much leaner would you expect the a/f to be? I don't think it's a concern except that you're both running tunes now. If you're already on the lean side with the timing you have, then leaner might introduce some amount of knock or more knock than before. I'd suggest maybe logging knock first, before you spend all day at the proving grounds trying out your new cats. Anybody else think that's a concern?
(I missed this...) This is true. Sort of. Ideally you want the wideband installed in front of the cats. You can install behind the cats but the cats have the effect of damping changes in a/f. The reading should be less than 0.2 off behind the cats but changes in a/f won't be seen as quickly. You want the wideband sensor installed upwards on the pipe to keep it away from condensation that can form in the lower half of the pipe and definitely want it out of any pooled water. Moisture will ruin your sensor or greatly decrease it's life and accuracy. There isn't a lot of clearance to work on the upper side of the pipe in front of the cat. On the passenger side there isn't hardly any room at all. Surely someone good with a torch or plasma cutter can put the hole in up there (don't know how they'd see what they were doing). Doing a proper job of welding it in up there would be a lot more difficult (don't want any air leaks...). Now, let's assume they managed to do all that. Where did the debris and scraps from the hole go? It's going to end up in the cats. Not sure about the hot spots, reaction with the cat materials, etc. but it's not good for the cats. If you install somewhere behind the cats then that's not a concern... but who doesn't want to go first rate?
Confucious say, Wiseman win again! lol. Listen to Dave on this one, if you plean on installing a wideband in the future, you should do it in the best possible location. Your motor may thank you for it one day.
O.K...thanks guys! Can someone make a list of what EXACTLY Jeff and I will need to make sure we don't have to leave my car at the shop? LOL
So Bud, IF you decide to install a bung before installing the cats, crawl under there, hold up the pipe so you get an idea of where it's going to sit and where you want the bung installed. The wideband sensor will look just like the stock narrowband sensor in there now. It's going to be just about as tall. It's going to have the same looking cable coming off it and everything. If you're looking from the cats towards the header you probably want it oriented about 2:00 oclock on the pipe. If adjacent to the narrowband make sure the tips aren't going to come together when screwed in. Ideally you'd want it tilted so the sensor tip is pointing about 10 degrees downstream in the exhaust flow. Not important but maybe it wouldn't get fouled as quickly down the road. You might expect a wideband sensor to last maybe 50K miles. Probably a little less the way you drive.
We got 100% confidence in you guys. Just run the video cam over a clock when you start and when you finish. I'm thinking it will take more than an hour per install.:sweat: :gotpics::gotpics::gotpics:
Here's where we're doing it. Pretty cool benefit for being in the military!!! Facility: Auto Skills Shop Bldg#: 3234 Address: Ravencroft & Recreation Way Base: Naval Base San Diego - (NAVBASE) Hours: Wed-Fri; 11:30 am-7:30 pm / Sat-Sun; 9 am-4:30 pm Lock Out Services available Mon-Fri (call for costs) Phone: Office & Vehicle Storage: (619) 556-7009 Automotive Convenience Store: (619) 556-7008 After Hours Emergency: (619) 843-0614 Fax: (619) 556-9323 San Diego's largest Auto Hobby Shop with over 100 stalls including seven drive-on vehicle lifts, three tire/brake lifts and a Convenience Store which stocks approximately 3,000 line items for performing routine maintenance, tune ups and brake work. Special order parts are available on normally a same day basis. Complete re-manufactured engines available at jobber prices. Automotive Diagnostic, Code Reading and Emission Pre-Checks performed. Brake Drums and Rotors surfaced at a discount when pads or shoes are purchased in out convenience store. A wide variety of other automotive services performed on and off site. Lock Out Services available for a reasonable fee.
Funny you know me I kinda have keys to a muffler shop. but whatever dont ask your buddy thats done exhasut for 10 years to help :thongue2:
OH SNAP! all this anticipation and ... now this. :cry: How about if you just weld the bungs in for them?
Danny....that's a hell of an offer!! I'm "hoping" Jeff and I can get it done. Do you have any words of wisdom for us?? Or, can you PM me your number so if we run into any problems I can call you tomorrow! If you think we should hold off until you are available I'd be honored to have you "show me the ropes"!!
Cool buddy! I want to start learning my way around a car a bit more. I've just been happy with myself the past couple years for changing oil, rotating tires, installing CAI's, etc....haha!!
I figured you EQ guys as mechanics to some degree. Changing oil is a HUGE step in the right direction. With the exception of the turbo timer (lots of wire splicing) and my springs (didn't have the compressor), I installed every part on my car. Most of which were done in my, or my buddies, garage/carport. I did my entire turbo/manifold swap with my car on jackstands in my garage. Oh....and it's not a small list, either....
