Bought a Greddy Sp2 for my rx8 and its on its way...
but wondering is it easy to install?
What tools do i need?
How do i jack up the car?
Please send me DIY directions... thank you soo much!!
it would be very helpful if pics are included.

Thanks again~

 

All the aftermarket exhausts install basically the same way; these Borla instructions give you the basic job http://www.borla.com/media/installations/140078.pdf the main difference is that the SP2 mufflers bolt to the pipe instead of clamp. There is a photo of the SP2 in THREAD that shows the flange.

Your question “ How do I jack up the car “ indicates to me this might be a harder job for you than for most people. It takes less than two hours from beginning to end and can be done with basic hand tools + jack stands or ramps. You will need to have a basic set of metric sockets in 3/8’ & ½ “ drive. A very large / thick screw driver or the rubber hanger removal tool like the one on the thread mentioned above, silicone based spray lubricant to make the rubber hangers easy to come off. A second person might also be helpful for when you lower the old exhaust and raise the new one.

Sears and other stores sell basic floor jack / jackstand kits for under $50.00. For home use these are fine. Place some kind of block behind the front wheels and center the floor jack under the rear differential housing. Jack it up as high is it can safely go and place the jack stands under the rear jacking points mentioned in the owners manual or any other sturdy part o the rear. If you had rhino ramps you would just back up onto them. At this time with the silicone spay lube up the five rubber hangers holding the exhaust and with wd40 / liquid wrench (don’t use that on the rubber) spray the two spring bolts connecting the exhaust to the mid pipe. You will need to remove the plastic trim around the tail pipes. They are held in by plastic tabs & pop rivets. Be very careful when applying pressure to the tabs, as they can break very easy. This link has some pics of that part http://www.mazdatrix.com/faqrx8/exhfinish.htm. Now take a 30-minute break to let the spring nuts soak in the lube.

Remove the two nuts on the spring bolt and save them. Then with either the large screwdriver or tool remove the rubber hangers from their mounting posts (this can be a PAIN). There is also a grounding strap connected to the OEM exhaust that will need to be removed. When you’re almost done is the time to get the buddy to hold the old exhaust up so it doesn’t crash to the ground or on you. You should now be able to remove the old exhaust. Connect the SP2 muffler to its pipe be sure to use ONE of the new gaskets supplied. When you removed the old muffler you will see a weird looking gasket that connected the midpipe to the exhaust pipe, that is reused. Connect the new sp2 pipe to the midpipe re-using the old gasket and nuts for the spring bolts. Raise the exhaust and place the rubber hangers to the mounting posts of the SP2. The SP2 does not have a mounting point for the grounding strap, you don’t have to use it.

Make sure all the nuts are tight and you can put back on the tail pipe trim and lower the car, your done. By the way the old exhaust are hard to get rid of, this is what I did with mine LINK If this seems like too much work or you have to go out and purchase everything you might want to get a muffler shop to do this, it should take them about 20 minutes. It should not cost that much since for them it’s just labor.

 

expo1, what a nice reply...they should make you a moderator.

 

I'm in the process of putting my exhaust back on and I am having extreme difficulties putting those two screws with the springs back on. Any tips?? Please help!

 

Try a small C clamp on the flange and spring. IIRC thats what I used to compress the exhaust springs when I did my midpipe.