Downpipe Install Help

[Mori]

Car is jacked up on the front, and on ramps. I’ve been trying to take out the stock DP for a while now but I still can’t shake it loose enough to take out.

Looking for some advice on the following:
1. I can't really bend the "clip" in this video at 5:07 -- https://youtu.be/OrLT-w_X39E?t=305
Every time I try, the clip just resets back to its original position. I noticed some videos skip this step. Is it actually necessary to do this?

2. I loosened the V-band a lot but it's still totally stuck on one side.
On the side that I can reach, there's a visible gap, and I can move it up/down a little, but I can't twist the V-band left/right at all.
It almost feels like there's something on the other side still latched onto it.
Photo for reference:

3. I assume reinstalling the new DP is the same for every brand right? I have an AMS catted DP, but I'm watching the AA video so just making sure.

4. Does anyone have an opinion on if its worth ceramic coating the inside of the DP (AMS catted)?

Here’s what I’ve done so far:
1. Unplugged + unclipped O2 sensors from the top + unclipped all the wires from their spots
2. Loosened the V-band bolt
3. Removed the bolt on the downpipe to exhaust clamp
4. Removed the exhaust hangar bolt
5. Removed the 2 nuts that hold the DP to the block

I've tried wiggling and shaking the downpipe all over the place but it's not budging at all.
Shaking it actually moves the exhaust more than the DP at this point.
I can see a bit of the DP that was previously inside the exhaust, but that's all the progress.

Any tips/advice?
Thanks!

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[sup.dc2]

those v band clamps even when loose can still be a bit seized on there. take a small hammer and tap it free. Or from the bottom take a longish pry bar and medium hammer to knock it free. some pb might help if you dont mind the odor and mess it leaves behind.

 

[Fuji808]

give that v-band a good whack to break it free

 

[Mori]

those v band clamps even when loose can still be a bit seized on there. take a small hammer and tap it free. Or from the bottom take a longish pry bar and medium hammer to knock it free. some pb might help if you dont mind the odor and mess it leaves behind.

give that v-band a good whack to break it free

I've been tapping it with a ratchet and flathead to get it this far.
I'll try giving it more force with a hammer.

 

[ky.supra]

I've tried wiggling and shaking the downpipe all over the place but it's not budging at all.
Shaking it actually moves the exhaust more than the DP at this point.
I can see a bit of the DP that was previously inside the exhaust, but that's all the progress.

Any tips/advice?
Thanks!

You have to push the cat back exhaust from the mid-pipe section off the bottom of the downpipe first to remove the downpipe itself.

Go tighten the V-band clamp so the downpipe is secure and snug to the turbo side.
Undo the nut that is holding the mid-pipe and use your foot to kick/push against the bracket on the mid-pipe towards the rear end of your car or you can use a mallet.

Once you get the mid-pipe section of the catback off the bottom side downpipe, you can remove the downpipe by undoing the v-band

 

[Evolution]

I with everyone else on that v-band clamp. Mine was stuck on their really good and was a pain to take off. Prybar and a hammer did the trick.

 

[MisterSkiz]

I loosened the vband as much as possible so I wouldn't lose the nut on the back. From the pic- you can loosen it more. I then tapped it with a hammer and then went from the engine bay and reached down and was jiggling it around to get it loose. I then basically tried to move it so it fell down off the lip and went onto the downpipe.

Don't tighten anything down when you put the new pipe on otherwise you wont be able to get the exhaust to get fully in and sit on the hanger with the nut.

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/installed-a-titan-catless-downpipe-yesterday.18810/

 

[i3igpete]

also, dont be surprised if the new DP won't slip onto the exhaust until you get it aligned up perfectly. i spent an hour just trying to get it started, seriously considered renting a pipe expander. be aggressive with it, use your whole body and legs to shove things around.

 

[Mori]

Update! Got the V band off but now I can’t get it loose from the catback. Seized pretty bad; I’m going to just keep hitting it with a mallet to loosen it up

 

[directmk]

hit that coupler with a piece of hard wood and a hammer. Use the wood to prevent damaging the metal. I had to do that to mine to free it up. Also make sure your exhaust is loose and has the freedom to move a bit when you hit it in that direction.

 

[Mori]

hit that coupler with a piece of hard wood and a hammer. Use the wood to prevent damaging the metal. I had to do that to mine to free it up. Also make sure your exhaust is loose and has the freedom to move a bit when you hit it in that direction.

Update, still completely seized. Can’t make any movement whatsoever. Been hitting it with a mallet through a piece of cardboard.

Gonna go to the store to buy some Liquid Wrench or something and try that

 

[Clenz]

Get some PB Blaster. Let it sit for a bit.

 

[MisterSkiz]

Get some soapy water - see if that works.

My car was new so it basically came right off.

I put some anti sieze around the inside of the exhaust and the downpipe so if I have to remove it in the future it will come right off.

 

[Razors Edge]

Update! Got the V band off but now I can’t get it loose from the catback. Seized pretty bad; I’m going to just keep hitting it with a mallet to loosen it up

Everyone told you to take the exhaust off first. Why would you not take it off, and make your life 100 times simpler? Exhaust ALWAYS comes off first, if aftermarket, can usually just take off the pipe connected to the Downpipe, then the Downpipe.

 

[Mori]

Everyone told you to take the exhaust off first. Why would you not take it off, and make your life 100 times simpler? Exhaust ALWAYS comes off first, if aftermarket, can usually just take off the pipe connected to the Downpipe, then the Downpipe.

Yeah I’m realizing this now. It’s pretty hard to lift the DP out of the exhaust.
PB Blaster seems to have helped a lot though.

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