SPD Downpipe

[Brian Kile]

Well, I purchased the SPD Catted Downpipe from 5 Star Tuning a couple weeks ago and finally got a chance to attempt the install today. Pulled the cover off and everything looked pretty straight forward, other than trying to get the whole piece out by myself. Over an hour later and still couldn't get the first nut off of the oem downpipe at the adapter! So far very dissapointed with the kit. No instructions included, other than how to break it in once attached. No pictures, no socket sizes, no ft lb ratings for torque, absolutely nothing! Went to SPD website and the instructions they have for download don't include the 4th Gen Exp, I tried to contact via Facebook Messenger and got no reply, to be fair it is Sunday, but the weekends are when most of us are trying to install their products! I've left a message for a local auto shop that was recommended to see what they will charge to install and see if I'm going to let them do it or attempt it again. In an F-150 install they appear to loosen those nuts from up through the engine compartment, but it sure doesn't look like that's going to help. I was able to get some wobble extensions on it and hit it with my impact and it didn't budge. I switched to a breaker wrench and was coming really close to breaking the extensions and it wouldn't let go, might have to heat them up or use penetrating oil? It was just more than I expected when I started today. If anyone has any other suggestions I would love to hear them, otherwise I will update on where I go and if SPD responds.

 

[Deadman]

Anytime you screw with exhaust parts, its a ***** of a job. Nothing worse. Everything is seized and rusted on.

 

[5280tunage]

Oh man, I have my kit sitting in the garage, getting ready to do this myself, but I'm waiting till I find out of ford is going to replace my turbos. Let them dot he hard work of breaking seized nuts/bolts.

When I watched the videos of the guys doing it on an F150 (which should be nearly identical), in noticed they had to drop the cross member and support the drivetrain in order to get the stock parts out.

Actually planning on doing the turbo adapters at the same time since I will have everything apart anyways. If you get any torque specs from them, please do reply to this. As well, any advice you might have for the process. I asked the same questions on here several times over the last year and hadn't received any real responses. I've done a lot of exhaust work over the years but this looks just as bad as doing headers on a hemi.

 

[BLUWAGN]

Any time I'm going to do exhaust work without a Sawzall, I start spraying penetrant on the bolts about a week in advance overnight to help them loosen up and make things easier. I feel your pain!

 

[5280tunage]

I will definitely be doing this when I undertake this. I used to do the same thing when doing header work, those things are pains to get off without screwing up the studs.

Oh, and @Brian Kile, I was actually hesitant to order these, SPD never once responded to anything I ever sent them, granted, I don't have facebook etc, but sending them emails directly never got responded to. I'm sure it's because of Covid, everything else seems to be, but it was a little annoying. But I will say, they were very quick to ship, and their products look very well done. Hoping customer service and product quality are opposites here lol.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

This tool might help if you can get it into the space. Beats waving a dangerous cutting torch , sawzall or angle grinder around inside the engine compartment.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Automotive-Nut-*******/1000595029

 

[JamaicaJoe]

This tool might help if you can get it into the space. Beats waving a dangerous cutting torch , sawzall or angle grinder around inside the engine compartment.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Automotive-Nut-*******/1000595029

 

[JasonH]

As others have said, exhaust is the worst because the rust seizes bolts. A professional shop should be able to get it on without to much fuss. Let us know how it goes. I was looking at this part along with Corsa and Full Race exhausts for a bit more quicker spool and more power.

 

[5280tunage]

As others have said, exhaust is the worst because the rust seizes bolts. A professional shop should be able to get it on without to much fuss. Let us know how it goes. I was looking at this part along with Corsa and Full Race exhausts for a bit more quicker spool and more power.

I think you've mentioned corsa in other posts, I reached out to them and they said they had zero plans for this thing yet. Bummer. Love their stuff.

 

[JasonH]

I think you've mentioned corsa in other posts, I reached out to them and they said they had zero plans for this thing yet. Bummer. Love their stuff.

Yes, they make an exhaust for the Raptor. I was going to inquire whether they would sell a muffler separately and let an exhaust shop handle the remainder of the plumbing. But waiting till my warranty is up before I do anything.

 

[Deadman]

Yes, they make an exhaust for the Raptor. I was going to inquire whether they would sell a muffler separately and let an exhaust shop handle the remainder of the plumbing. But waiting till my warranty is up before I do anything.

That Raptor exhaust is true dual all the way front to back, just like the Navigator, so there's not much in common with an Expedition exhaust. You can make anything work, but it could be a huge headache adapting.

 

[JasonH]

That Raptor exhaust is true dual all the way front to back, just like the Navigator, so there's not much in common with an Expedition exhaust. You can make anything work, but it could be a huge headache adapting.

Couldn't a muffler shop just run 3" all the way back from the downpipes and weld in the muffler and resonator?

 

[Deadman]

Couldn't a muffler shop just run 3" all the way back from the downpipes and weld in the muffler and resonator?

They can do anything....

 

[Brian Kile]

So I ended up getting it into a local mechanic that was recommended to me. It ended up costing about $300 with tax etc. They told me that it would be about a 2-hour job, then added 30 min to let the exhaust cool before getting started. All said and done I was hanging around the shop for about 7 hours! That I was not happy about, but at least they didn't change the charge on me. They did have to unbolt the cross member to get the old downpipe out (it's all one piece). Other than that, it was a pretty straightforward bolt-on. They didn't know the torque specs either and SPD has still yet to reply to me, but they made sure to get them tight in there. At first, there was very little difference in idle volume. Turbo sound has significantly increased, which I like, when you get in the throttle now you can actually hear them spooling up. Cold starts have started to have some more volume to them, it seems like once it warms up, it still sounds quiet at idle, I was definitely hoping for more exhaust volume, but it is what it is, it can be heard in the cabin more now than before for sure. As far as performance goes, I'm still experimenting with it. I had some issues with the initial tune which was the performance tune (I have been randomly getting a charging system error after installing a new tune), I re-tuned with the stock tune and then a daily / tow tune. I've noticed less turbo lag, but it is also noticeably slower than with the performance tune installed. I will re-flash with performance and then go back to 5-Star with some feedback to get it dialed in. Overall I'm very happy with the truck though, intake, intercooler, and downpipes, she's fast, sounds pretty good, and hauls everything I need!

 

[JasonH]

So I ended up getting it into a local mechanic that was recommended to me. It ended up costing about $300 with tax etc. [...] Overall I'm very happy with the truck though, intake, intercooler, and downpipes, she's fast, sounds pretty good, and hauls everything I need!

Thanks for sharing! What are your IAT1 and IAT2 temps during normal driving? I'm curious to see what impact the intercooler had. I normally see a 20 - 30 degree increase.

 

[5280tunage]

Thanks for the feedback. Make. Sure you get back under there with 50 to 100 miles on and some heating/cooling cycles to re-torque and/or tighten the clamps. They tend to loosen up initially. On my previous vehicles I would then check them every other oil change.

I'm waiting to find out if my trivia will get replaced first, but will be doing mine soon I hope.

 

[Brian Kile]

Thanks for sharing! What are your IAT1 and IAT2 temps during normal driving? I'm curious to see what impact the intercooler had. I normally see a 20 - 30 degree increase.

I am about to take a road trip this afternoon, so I will log it and get back with you!

 

[Brian Kile]

Thanks for the feedback. Make. Sure you get back under there with 50 to 100 miles on and some heating/cooling cycles to re-torque and/or tighten the clamps. They tend to loosen up initially. On my previous vehicles I would then check them every other oil change.

I'm waiting to find out if my trivia will get replaced first, but will be doing mine soon I hope.

Definitely! I did a remote start this morning and it has definitely increased in volume over the last week or so, I don't think it's a leak, but I want to get down there and check to make sure!

 

[5280tunage]

Sounds good, I'm excited to do mine (well kind of, looks like a pain in the ass install) especially on ramps and by myself.

 

[TheDoug]

I was reading that these pipes will not pass emissions even thought they are catted... what's your plan if that's the case? Swap back stock pipe?