So, before buying a replacement s pipe I took a look under the car and it looks like the stock header is welded to the stock s pipe. Is this an illusion? How are they connected? Is this going to be a beotch to install?

 

2 bolts that it, well actually 4 bolts 2 at each end of the s pipe. easy install you might have a harder time getting the o2 sensor off if its cross threaded lol

 

heres the deal.dont try to take out the 02 sensor while its on the pipe underneate the car.just unclip the 02 sensor unbolt the bolts then while the s-pipe is out then you can take out the 02 sensor its so much easier then trying to hurt your self under neathe the car..

 

^^x2

 

Maybe I didn't get enough sleep last night. Cross threaded?

Also thanks for the great info so far.

 

Many (almost every tc ive seen) are crossthreaded from the factory or are installed in a manner that when you try to remove them, they crossthread. Luckily my primary wasn't like this but my secondary was. My two buddies (one with an 06 and the other with an 09) had factory manifolds and both of their primaries were crossthreaded to hell from the factory. We used the O2 sensor removal socket on both FYI.

 

OK so it wasn't just me, sorry to hear this is a widespread issue.

but yes, getting it out was a PAIN. FWIW my experience - I managed to break it free with a large adjustable wrench and at least 75% of the way out the sucker was still tight.

Good luck to OP.

 

People have tried every combination of every method known to man to get these out without cross threading them and it's still a 50/50 shot...

 

Well what do you do if you cross thread it?

 

If it's a secondary, wrench and re-cross thread it back in. It's garbage at this point but will still get proper flow and not leak so you won't throw a CEL. The primary (in my experience with 2 friends cars) likes to stop functioning for whatever reason when taken out of the stock manifold if cross threaded from the factory. As long as you pick up a 0-3v Air/Fuel sensor replacement from Advance Auto or Autozone then it'll work fine. The primary is NOT an O2 sensor. It is a wideband air/fuel sensor. VERY important to engine efficiency and power.

 

Are those no-name brand s pipes on eBay any good, as to compared to the named brand ones?

 

I don't know what brand mine is. I got it off a buddy for free and it's shiny It fits like a glove though! You'd be better off asking the N/A guys which fits best because most turbo guys get a turbo exhaust or get custom made setups.

 

Good question, would love an answer.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Scion...Q5fAccessories

 

Unfortunately, only one way to find out... I know Megan and Invidia pipes fit perfect but there is this company called Mandrel USA or something like that that makes s-pipes for our cars out of any one of 4 materials of your choice (price difference) and I've heard they fit perfect also. Just a cheaper alternative to random company names on e-bay.

 

Any more info on these cheap no names from eBay?

 

I have the cheap ebay one, fitment was pretty good. The gasket you get with it is junk though. If you use the gasket that it comes with you will have a small exhaust leak but its not anything major.

The install was somewhat of a pain in the ___. I managed to do it in my garage with only hand tools and some PB Blaster to break all the bolt lose. All in all it took me about an hour to do.

 

Did you notice anything in terms of volume or power? I'm hoping this makes my too quiet catback a bit louder.

 

They say the s pipe makes the exhaust a lil deeper, I think I'm gonna get the eBay s pipe and a Megan mid pipe

 

I noticed a little difference in tone, its not huge.