DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install

chiefbrody

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Since PRL hasn't released an official installation guide, i'm making this to help out anyone who preordered the Downpipe / Front Pipe.

Total Time: 3 Hours

Tools Needed:
Flat Head Screwdriver
Phillips Head Screwdriver
14mm Socket
12mm Socket
10mm Socket
Breaker Bar
5mm Allen Key
12mm Wrench
14mm Wrench

Put your car on ramps or jack stands and make sure its cooled down before starting.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6533


Remove 6x flat head screws that release when you turn them 90 degrees.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6535


Remove 4x phillips head screws on the front edge of the metal cover.
Then you should be able to remove it by sliding it backwards off the 4 plastic hangars.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6537
Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6540


Remove:
2x 5mm allen key screws
2x 10mm hex head screws (front left not pictured so thats why the blank circle is there)

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6539


Remove:
14x Push pin clips (I'm missing one so it isn't pictured)
5x 10mm hex head screws

The panel will pretty much just fall out once you've gotten most of the clips/screws out

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6549
Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6546



Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6541


Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6542


I started in the back and removed the 3x 14mm hex nuts securing the OEM front pipe to the rest of the exhaust


Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6551


Then I removed the 3x 14mm hex nuts at the front of the OEM Front pipe.. turns out the whole threaded stud came out. I needed to use a breaker bar up here.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6552




Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6553


I pulled the exhaust bushing off at the circled peg that is connected to the chassis

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6554


I had to take these two 10mm hex head screws out so give the front pipe a little more wiggle room to get out.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6555


I also had to push down on this heat shield to give the front pipe the last bit of clearance in order to come out.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6556


The OEM front pipe should come all the way out now.
Remove the exhaust bushing and put it on the PRL Front Pipe the same way you took it off.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6559


Remove 2x 14mm bolts from the mounting brackets at the bottom of the cat
Also loosen 2x 14mm bolts connecting the bracket to the engine so there is room for the cat to drop through when you remove it.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6557



Now to the engine bay:

Remove whatever air intake you have, I have the Injen SRI so all I had to do was disconnect the sensor, remove the nut securing it to the block, and release the hose clamp closest to the turbo.

Remove 2x 10mm nuts holding this bracket to the engine so you have room to get to the cat.


Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6560


Disconnect the two O2 sensor plugs from this bracket and remove the bracket.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6562


Remove 3x 12mm bolts securing this heat shield to the top of the cat.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6564


Forgot to take a picture but there are 2x 14mm bolts and 2x 14mm lock nuts holding the cat to the turbo, I had to use a breaker bar to get them loose and then take your time here and loosen them all evenly.

NOTE: Please acquire new lock nuts or standard nuts (M10x1.25) for when you attach your PRL Downpipe because I now have a permanent lock nut on my downpipe/turbo so good thing I don't plan on putting the cat back in.

After you have the 2 nuts and 2 bolts off make sure you disconnect the secondary O2 sensor plug and then the cat should be able to drop through the bottom as long as you loosened the 2 mounting brackets.

Use a crescent wrench (Idk what size the nut is on the O2 Sensor) and remove the O2 sensor from the cat and install it on the PRL Downpipe before you install.

Make sure you keep the OEM exhaust gasket on the studs on the turbo and then start reinstalling everything in reverse order.
I didn't take any pictures of reinstalling it because I was really excited and there wasn't anything challenging or different about the reinstallation.

The other pictures below show the direction in which I used the provided nuts/bolts, yours might fit through one way better than the other but as long as you get them nice and tight i don't think the direction really matters.

There is no torque specifications available as far as I'm aware so I just tightened them until i couldn't anymore. You'll have to use a backup standard 14mm wrench to tighten the nuts/bolts.
Obviously make sure you put the supplied exhaust gaskets in between the connections of the PRL Front Pipe at the downpipe and exhaust.

Not sure the proper way or time to put the exhaust bushing back on but I did it last and it was a pain in the ass but I still got it on there.

Reinstall the bottom two panels the same way you took them off, you shouldn't have any issues.

Enjoy!

**I've never written one of these before so please let me know what I can do to make the guide better and if I left anything out.**


Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6567




Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6571




Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6572




Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6573


Honda Civic 10th gen DIY: PRL Motorsports Downpipe + Front Pipe Install IMG_6549
 
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NeoDragons

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:thumbsup:Great job, cant wait till mine comes in
 

SkyeHack

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How does your car sound/feel now?
 
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chiefbrody

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It sounds the same when I turn it on and up to about 2500 rpm
But once you get above that it's throatier and I can definitely tell a difference, nothing crazy but I'm not disappointed either.
 

cmwalton16

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Can you elaborate a bit more on this?

NOTE: Please acquire new lock nuts or standard nuts for when you attach your PRL Downpipe because I now have a permanent lock nut on my downpipe/turbo so good thing I don't plan on putting the cat back in.
 


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chiefbrody

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Can you elaborate a bit more on this?

NOTE: Please acquire new lock nuts or standard nuts for when you attach your PRL Downpipe because I now have a permanent lock nut on my downpipe/turbo so good thing I don't plan on putting the cat back in.
there are 2 studs coming off the turbo where the downpipe mounts to it, and they come from the factory with lock nuts on them. One of mine rethreaded itself onto the stud when i put it back on and it was too late when i realized so i just kept tightening it.
 

cmwalton16

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there are 2 studs coming off the turbo where the downpipe mounts to it, and they come from the factory with lock nuts on them. One of mine rethreaded itself onto the stud when i put it back on and it was too late when i realized so i just kept tightening it.
Great job on your guide! So 14mm lock nuts, what type of lock nut?
 

theonly

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can you post a video of your car now?
I would like to hear the difference please

thank you
 

PRL Motorsports

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Thank you for this in-depth write-up! We apologize that we didn't have one released yet for you pre-order guys. However, for your efforts we would like to reward you. PM us when you have a chance! :thumbsup:
 


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chiefbrody

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Great job on your guide! So 14mm lock nuts, what type of lock nut?
I kept one of the oem locknuts off so let me find out what the thread pitch is and I will let you know!

Any videos on how it sounds?
can you post a video of your car now?
I would like to hear the difference please

thank you
I will take a video tonight and post it!

Thank you for this in-depth write-up! We apologize that we didn't have one released yet for you pre-order guys. However, for your efforts we would like to reward you. PM us when you have a chance! :thumbsup:
Ayyeeee ok I'll send you a PM now, thanks PRL :bow:
 

UHx0H

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curious if you've gotten any CELs from dp install @chiefbrody ???
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