Er Downpipe Install Diy (sorta) And Pics

GS235XI · 08-21-2018, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

Are there any issues with just running with the CEL light. Will the car try to compensate for the oxygen misreads?

Assuming the code is just for being catless, no issues. That code just means your catalytic converter (if it were installed) is not in spec.

Thank you!

TwistedX · 08-24-2018, 12:31 AM

Honestly this can be done in less than an hour, not counting the million belly pan bolts, super easy to do

GS235XI · 08-25-2018, 12:18 PM

How do I reach the top v clamp. Can't even see the bolt. Is it different for the x drive?
Will the v clamp rotate if I take off all the bottom stuff?

TwistedX · 08-25-2018, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

How do I reach the top v clamp. Can't even see the bolt. Is it different for the x drive?
Will the v clamp rotate if I take off all the bottom stuff?

You can just see it from the bottom but I was about to access the bolt very easily from the side/wheel well area

GS235XI · 08-25-2018, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedX

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

How do I reach the top v clamp. Can't even see the bolt. Is it different for the x drive?
Will the v clamp rotate if I take off all the bottom stuff?

You can just see it from the bottom but I was about to access the bolt very easily from the side/wheel well area

Thank you. Hoping to try again tomorrow. I will look through the wheel well for access.
It's a lot more cramped up there and longer than i thought it would be. Now just hoping if I do get it off, I can get it back on.

TwistedX · 08-25-2018, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

Thank you. Hoping to try again tomorrow. I will look through the wheel well for access.
It's a lot more cramped up there and longer than i thought it would be. Now just hoping if I do get it off, I can get it back on.

I bought my car CPO so maybe something is different or it had a DP before but the whole install from stock to aftermarket took less than an hour on jackstands with nothing more than a 3/8 ratchet, a deep 13 and 16mm socket, a 6 and 10in extension and a ujoint socket thingy but didn't really use the ujoint thingy

GS235XI · 08-25-2018, 09:38 PM

Help again.. got everything done. Top V clamp is loose, but not all the way off. How to I finish this SOB

Update....
Removed the whole bolt from the top V clamp. This loosened it enough to get the downpipe off it. Then 15 min of wiggling it past the mid pipe, it's out

Likely 3 hours in so far with 1 of the 3 being productive. Now just for the install.

GS235XI · 08-26-2018, 10:33 PM

Me again. Got it almost done. Top V clamp is my last issue. I tried putting the bolt in first but then the opening wasn't big enough. Now I have it all fit, but I can't get the bolt to the other end of the v clamp to start tightening it...
Thoughts....?

Update for those that come after me. I bought a new 8MM bolt for the top v clamp that is much longer than the original bolt. This allowed me to connect the bolt while still having the clamp at its maximum open width. Then lined up he v clamp and started tightening.

Hoping to finish tonight

miamipanther · 03-06-2019, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

How do I reach the top v clamp. Can't even see the bolt. Is it different for the x drive?
Will the v clamp rotate if I take off all the bottom stuff?

We are going to replace our DP too? How did you get the V clamp eventually?

Thanks

GS235XI · 03-07-2019, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miamipanther

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

How do I reach the top v clamp. Can't even see the bolt. Is it different for the x drive?
Will the v clamp rotate if I take off all the bottom stuff?

We are going to replace our DP too? How did you get the V clamp eventually?

Thanks

I took everything all the way off and got a new longer bolt that allowed me to position the v clamp around the dp without having to clamp it with my hand. I then tightened it front the top making sure it was positioned to face upwards.
2 people would help. I can attest it is possible with one. Leave the back part of the exhaust loose while getting the DP in position.
Best of luck. Feel free to reach back out with questions.

miamipanther · 03-07-2019, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

I took everything all the way off and got a new longer bolt that allowed me to position the v clamp around the dp without having to clamp it with my hand. I then tightened it front the top making sure it was positioned to face upwards.
2 people would help. I can attest it is possible with one. Leave the back part of the exhaust loose while getting the DP in position.
Best of luck. Feel free to reach back out with questions.

Thanks for your prompt reply. Did you access the v-clamp through the wheel wall? It seems too far from bottom and too narrow to get hand in from the top of the engine bay.

GS235XI · 03-07-2019, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miamipanther

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

I took everything all the way off and got a new longer bolt that allowed me to position the v clamp around the dp without having to clamp it with my hand. I then tightened it front the top making sure it was positioned to face upwards.
2 people would help. I can attest it is possible with one. Leave the back part of the exhaust loose while getting the DP in position.
Best of luck. Feel free to reach back out with questions.

Thanks for your prompt reply. Did you access the v-clamp through the wheel wall? It seems too far from bottom and too narrow to get hand in from the top of the engine bay.

I dropped crazy long extension from the top and reached through the wheel well to position it on top of the bolt.

miamipanther · 03-07-2019, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

I dropped crazy long extension from the top and reached through the wheel well to position it on top of the bolt.

That's creative

As so you did remove wheel well liner to get access

GS235XI · 03-07-2019, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miamipanther

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

I dropped crazy long extension from the top and reached through the wheel well to position it on top of the bolt.

That's creative

As so you did remove wheel well liner to get access

I did not remove the liner

miamipanther · 03-07-2019, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS235XI

I did not remove the liner

That would be awesome, I will try this way.

Skrrtt335 · 06-04-2020, 03:24 PM

nice write up

08-24-2018, 12:31 AM	#46
TwistedX Really Twisted 28 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i F23 8AT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	Honestly this can be done in less than an hour, not counting the million belly pan bolts, super easy to do __________________ 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon 2015 BMW M235i F23 - Sold
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08-25-2018, 12:18 PM	#47
GS235XI Enlisted Member 6 Rep 34 Posts Drives: GS BMW M235XI Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	How do I reach the top v clamp. Can't even see the bolt. Is it different for the x drive? Will the v clamp rotate if I take off all the bottom stuff?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-25-2018, 09:38 PM	#51
GS235XI Enlisted Member 6 Rep 34 Posts Drives: GS BMW M235XI Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	Help again.. got everything done. Top V clamp is loose, but not all the way off. How to I finish this SOB Update.... Removed the whole bolt from the top V clamp. This loosened it enough to get the downpipe off it. Then 15 min of wiggling it past the mid pipe, it's out Likely 3 hours in so far with 1 of the 3 being productive. Now just for the install.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-26-2018, 10:33 PM	#52
GS235XI Enlisted Member 6 Rep 34 Posts Drives: GS BMW M235XI Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	Me again. Got it almost done. Top V clamp is my last issue. I tried putting the bolt in first but then the opening wasn't big enough. Now I have it all fit, but I can't get the bolt to the other end of the v clamp to start tightening it... Thoughts....? Update for those that come after me. I bought a new 8MM bolt for the top v clamp that is much longer than the original bolt. This allowed me to connect the bolt while still having the clamp at its maximum open width. Then lined up he v clamp and started tightening. Hoping to finish tonight Last edited by GS235XI; 08-28-2018 at 12:17 PM..
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06-04-2020, 03:24 PM	#60
Skrrtt335 Enlisted Member 15 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2015 335 Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: North jersey / Jersey city iTrader: (0)	nice write up
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