What I learned from installing my Solo exhaust...

[myke_cox]

The biggest thing if you've never done this before (I hadn't) is to go to an auto parts store and get an O2 sensor socket so you can use your breaker bar to get it loose (no 22mm at mine, but 7/8 worked fine)... I spent a few hours messing with it Friday night until I gave up ... talked to some people on Saturday and they said to get an O2 socket... did the removal and install in under 2 hours Saturday night once I got the right tool for the job

The second biggest thing I learned is that it does sit lower where the flex pipe section is, so be careful if you have a steep driveway... I learned that one the hard way, too

Hope your install is better than mine!
-Myke

[Miner]

Hello Myke:

I am planning on installing my SOLO system myself - what is an O2 socket and what does it look like, please - a picture would be great if you can swing it!

Did you put some WD40 on the threads of the sensor overnight - I have heard that that helps a bit.

SOunds like your adventure ended well - you got the system installed - that is what I hope to accomplish successfully too.

Thanks

[spider]

Like this.....Notice the slot on the side for the O2 wires.


KD Tools 7/8 in. (22mm) Low Profile Offset Oxygen Sensor Socket - Model KDS3925 at Sears.com

[Miner]

Okay - thanks Spider. I think I can manage one of those.

Cheers

[myke_cox]

The one in that link is exactly the socket you want... there are others that look like more normal sockets that would be harder to use because of the location of the O2 sensor... you'll see why once you're under there... also, didn't use WD40 or anything on the O2 sensor, just a breaker bar and that socket and it was a cinch...

The muffler hangers in the back are kind of a pain, too... but just like the instructions say, use soapy water (I used a lot!) and you should be able to get them just fine... my channel locks were screwed up and I still managed to get the hangers off with my bare hands... it just takes a lot of massaging, soapy water, working the hanger back and forth, and hanging on the muffler while trying to get the barb started through the rubber part... once you get it started through its pretty easy though...

-Myke

[GOINGSOLO]

Hi Myke,
Sorry to hear that your install didn't go so well. The O2 socket is a very handy tool. We made our 3" front pipe to sit higher than the lowest point on the 2.5" stock pipe. Our lowest point is the flex and the stock systems lowest point is the small resonator. Our low point comes quicker than the stock systems as the flex is about 20" ahead of the stock resonator. Because it's further ahead it could prove difficult on a steep driveway. There is a certain amount of adjustment on this pipe as you can roll it on the converter connection. If it's a bit low roll it towards the drivers side and re tighten at the converter. This will give you extra height. Thanks.

[myke_cox]

Originally Posted by GOINGSOLO Hi Myke, Sorry to hear that your install didn't go so well. The O2 socket is a very handy tool. We made our 3" front pipe to sit higher than the lowest point on the 2.5" stock pipe. Our lowest point is the flex and the stock systems lowest point is the small resonator. Our low point comes quicker than the stock systems as the flex is about 20" ahead of the stock resonator. Because it's further ahead it could prove difficult on a steep driveway. There is a certain amount of adjustment on this pipe as you can roll it on the converter connection. If it's a bit low roll it towards the drivers side and re tighten at the converter. This will give you extra height. Thanks.

It's not that the install went badly... it was actually really simple... once you get the right tools that is. I was mostly trying to share with the other people out there like me who might attempt an install on their own and not know what the right tool for the job is.

As far as the height of the system, I did adjust it as high as I could get it and it doesn't look like it hangs that low. It's probably because of where the lowest point is, like you said. Going into my driveway at the wrong angle is basically like straddling a low curb between the front and back wheels, and even at some angles there's not a lot of clearance... an exceptional Pain In The .... I'm still able to get in and out, just have to use extreme angles... haven't had any clearance issues anywhere else I've driven it though....

Also... it was AWESOME at the autocross yesterday... it was the first time I really got on it, obviously, having installed the exhaust the night before and it did surprise me!
We ran the same course from Saturday, just reverse on Sunday with an extra hairpin thrown in. One of the fastest parts of the course was a long slalom on Saturday... with my stock GXP I was flat footed all the way through and shifting to 3rd between the second and third gates... with the Solo exhaust (the only thing I changed that night) I tried my first run with the same throttle inputs as Saturday (everyone else drove it pretty much the same as Saturday)... well, I hit third crossing the first gate! I kept my foot down anyways and it kept pulling all the way until I slid around the third gate the wrong way and DNF'd... the new exhaust is definitely faster!... my fastest time of the day was a second faster when I lifted a bit in the slalom, the car just got too fast for the suspension and tires (probably just the driver )...

Overall, I'm very happy with the exhaust... the power is great and I love the sound... it might be a little loud for some, but I drove by 3 cops last night with no event and it didn't affect being able to have conversations in the car or hear music while driving except when you put your foot down... it's not as loud as say a Harley for instance, but it is definitely not sneaking up on anyone... I actually think it's probably a good thing... I always feel like people can't see my car since its low, small and black, especially with all the SUVs around... now I can make sure they know I'm there

-Myke

[rlhammon]

I used a 7/8" open ended wrench and that worked just fine. I did use a little PB Blaster, don't know if it was needed, but I used it anyway.

As for the exhaust hangers in the back. I mentioned in the Street Race thread that I used a tie rod puller. Basically it looks like a C-clamp with a threaded post.

Picture of Tie Rod Puller: http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/0...sm=0.9,0.5,0,0

You should be able to borrow both tools from a local auto shop, check with them.. most will loan out these type of "specialty" tools for a fully refundable deposit.

[SmokinSolstice]

I used an adjustable wrench on the o2 sensor and no prroblems.

[sunruner19]

I also did the Solo stacked install and found it quite easy. Being a retired auto tech, what made it easier to do was the fact that I already had the tools for this job. It also helped to have a friend with strong hands nearby too, lol, since my hands do not function as well as they have in the past, as far as removing the hangers.
One point I do want to address here is the stock exhaust gasket below the cat.
I would definitely recommend using the new one supplied by Solo as it is bigger and offers a better seal. The original can be removed very carefully by using a putty knife and walking it off. Take your time, it will come off. Installing the supplied gasket in the kit takes a little time also I found. It is a very tight fit, and by using a small flat round object as a protector, place that on the new gasket and lighty hit it. Do not hit the gasket directly with a hammer! Patience is needed but it will go on once it gets started on the inner guide.
A few pics of the low point, which can be adjusted just a little higher. Pic is before adjustment. View from side and front underneath.

[sunruner19]

Originally Posted by SmokinSolstice I used an adjustable wrench on the o2 sensor and no prroblems.

same here, worked very well.

[Mac]

PB nut blaster for the win, when you get to the cat, it is a must, those bolts can be a real pain if you do not, just look up threads of people that ripped out the threads or broke a stud in the turbo house.

[imaj]

Did any of you have someone in the back pushing the exhaust in as you tighten the exhaust up? I did not and I feel like I am getting a weird vibration from the exhaust hitting norms rear valance. Anyone have a fix for that? Thanks!