Tony downpipe install questions.
 

For those who have done it. I just wanted to confirm that I will probably have to cut up the FM heat shield to fit around the downpipe?

Found this thread with some good pics.

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/sho...wnpipe+install

And one with install tips.

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/sho...install&page=2

I have the two piece pipe so I'll have to get a clamp for connecting the two (honestly until I saw the pics I wasn't sure what to use, I'm that lacking in knowledge) and I bought a hi-flow cat from Tony to replace my stock one that now has 194k miles on it (assuming it wasn't replaced sometime in the 180k before I bought it).

Should be interesting. If anyone has tips on the installation that go beyond what I saw in this thread that would be great. Sounds like I will at least want to unbolt the turbo to get access back there.

I've never seen the FM heatshield (for the Greddy) but the new pipe does take up a lot more space than the old one did.

Also, if you copy my bellhousing support, don't make it out of 18ga sheet steel. That one cracked, then the one I made out of 16ga steel cracked, and so finally I made one out of a 1.25" x 3/16" cold-rolled steel bar. Had to use the oxy-mapp torch to bend it, but that one hasn't cracked yet.

So that section really gets some vibration going then. Is the pipe going to bang against anything if left without the bracket? So in your pics you have the sleeve clamp attaching the two sections together rather than the u-clamp? The u-clamp is just attaching to the bracket?

This is the FM heatshield. That picture is from the rear.

http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...umber=02-20590

Correct- the sleeve clamp hold the two sections together, and permits some slippage to allow for thermal expansion. The U-clamp, which is on the lower half, anchors it in place. When this part comes loose, the pipe does indeed rattle around on the frame.

Of course, that was before I installed my MC motor mounts. It'd probably be much better now were it to come loose.

You have to notch the FM heatshield. I have a 2 piece tony pipe w/ flex and the FM shield. I used a sleve clamp at the joint and came off of one of those bolts with a piece of metal as a bracket to attach to the stock downpipe mounting point on the trans to prevent rattling.