BMW N20, N26, N55 Downpipe Install DIY Guide
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- Hello all you Bimmer fanatics who currently have the N20/N26/N55 motors. Today, I am going to offer you my DIY guide to installing a catted or catless DP. This video was made using the N20 motor. The N26 motor DP install should be virtually identical. As far as the N55 motor goes, the installation process is very similar with a few variations of items to remove.
Here are the basic steps:
- remove engine cover
- disconnect your up and down stream O2 sensor plugs
- remove the belly pan, transmission to DP brackets, exhaust brackets which allow you access to freely move the exhaust around to disconnect it from the downpipe
- remove the Vband clamp, N20/26 has one, N55 has two
- remove the DP from the vehicle
- swap over the O2 sensors to your new DP
- have a second set of hands to help you hold the new DP in place while you position the Vband clamp around the turbo and DP flange
- tighten all nuts, bolts, and connections and you’re done!
With two people, the entire process should take you about 2-3hrs and is not overly difficult. You will be working in a very tight location so be patient. Post up if you have any questions for me!
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- Peter, The Audi S3 Fanatic - Авто та транспорт
Love that you used graphic arrows and circles to show which part you were referring to. Wish all tutorials would do this.
If I was more of a pro-editor, the inserts would have blended into my video better. LOL, Very much appreciate the kind comment though.
Hey thanks for responding so quickly. I took out one O2 sensor at a time and installed them as not to mix them up.
Just a suggestion, you should maybe tell folks watching, especially those with no knowledge that the lower clamps can often break, and that they will also need an E set (10-14) to remove the transmission to DP bolts. Marking the corresponding O2 wires can also help those doing this for the first time. Nice delivery though!
Precision Performance, thanks for the input and yes, I 100% agree. Knowing the tools ahead would definitely help!
why is the turbo orange inside? did you check the wastegate flap as well for wear? this would be very educational for me if you know the answer. I see this is N20, but for N26 SULEV we have a warranty of 15 years 150k miles on all emissions related components.
A B, not sure where you live, but in the US, gas manufactures are allowed to add MMT into gas. The orange discoloration you see, is the byproduct of MMT. Beyond the color, I do not know the positive or negative impacts of it. As far as checking the wastegate flap, no, I did not check it so you bring up a good point.
What size and measures is the 2 bolts that mount on to the transmission
Arce R1, sorry for the late reply...I don't recall exactly, but I believe it's going to be a 13 or 14mm bolt.
Do you have to completely remove the exhaust system or will dropping it down will allow you to slide it off the downpipe?
You do not have to completely remove the exhaust. Dropping it down and to the side will allow you to pull out the old DP.
What does it mean that during a compression test on a 2015 n26 it was not holding air on the first cylinder and coming out of the turbo intake ? The other 3 tested good on the compression
Honestly Elburo, I could not tell you.
About how long does it take an experienced mechanic to do this job? Will you need new vband clamps everytime you switch out the aftermarket downpipe for the stock and Vice versa?
Can experienced mechanic should be able to complete this job within 2hrs. The only item I would replace, is the DP gasket.
Thinking about getting a DP soon, my car is bone stock. would a spacer work on my o2 sensor to get rid of the check engine light and codes on my N55 e92? Or do a need a tune?
brownwarriya, there is a high probability that installing a DP WILL give you a CEL, even if you use an O2 spacer. From my experience working with/installing DPs, there are two options you can go with:
1- get a tune such as BootMod3 which can "code" out the CEL
2- use FabSpeed's 200 cell catted DP. They actually guarantee no CEL.
You can also try Wagner's 200 cell catted DP. I ran it and did not have any CELs. Hope this helps!
Put catless dp on my n20 and used a spacer. turned cel off with bm3 and eml code kept coming back. Turns out that the spacer will mess up the tune if you add it. so better off without it.
@@chrismeiwes3377, that's fantastic feedback. Thank you for sharing as that's something I never really thought about.
Is any software change after install of DP necassary?
Not at all. It is though, advisable to have some type of flash/piggyback upgrade to maximize the better flowing DP.
The open downpipe for the n26 sulev engine doesn't fit on a n20 engine. The flange on the exhaust side is different please correct me if I'm wrong.
Junior, I honestly cannot say if the exhaust flanges are different or the same.
They are different
@@jazminemorlett9666, Thanks for chiming in!
I recently installed a VRSF catless downpipe and I’m pretty sure that the turbo clamp is leaking as well as the mid pipe clamp. To fix the mid pipe clamp I think I just need to buy a new clamp and replace the old one but I’m at a loss for the turbo clamp. I didn’t replace the gasket (or even see an old gasket) anywhere. Is it necessary to replace that? Thanks!
Hey Mike, I could definitely recommend a gasket because it helps seal any surface imperfections between the turbo and DP. If you have a leak, my guess is, the V-Band clamp isn't seated correctly; double check the install.
The Audi S3 Fanatic yeah I think I might replace the gasket and then try to get a better seal on the turbo. I’ve heard if the clamp is really hard to tighten down it means you don’t have a good seal and it was super hard for me to tighten
@@mikefetters6674, when you're under the car and holding the DP in place, all while trying to work that v-band clamp around the DP, it's tough! The weight of the DP tires your arms out quickly.
Here is my secret...the last few installs I've completed, I had another set of hands hold the DP in place (once I verified location) while I work on the v-band. If the v-band is seated correct, you'll know it immediately because it will clasp together and the DP will not budge loose at all. Give that a shot with a new gasket and you should be good to go!
The Audi S3 Fanatic thank you for the tips! Do you remember how difficult it is to tighten down the clamp? I had to get thick pliers and clamp it just so I could even get the bolt to start threading so I’m sure it wasn’t a very good seal
@@mikefetters6674, it was not difficult for me since my hands are smaller. Make sure to position the bolt the way I have it in the video and use a shorter "flex" ratchet.
Hey how are you doing. I installed a vrsf catless downpipe on my f30 n20. Your video was very helpful. But after I installed it, I got no error codes (jb4 installed). The car run super rough, hesitates to shift gear, power was less. Then I disconnected the jb4 and I got the check engine light. The car ran better though. When I checked the error code, it was P2251 O2 sensor bank 1 current circuit open. Is that normal? Is the O2 sensor damaged? Thanks.
Hey childrenofgod, I'm glad the video was helpful to you. I've installed numerous catted and non-catted DP's on the F3x chassis and never once, have I ran into the issue you're having. This may be a very silly questions, but did you put the O2 sensors in their correct position? One of them is an upstream while the other is a downstream.
Childrenofgod, it seems as though you removed and installed the O2 sensors correctly, so I can't really figure out why you have codes. I highly doubt the Q2 sensor went bad due to the install.
Does anyone know where i can find a DP for a 2015 x3 2.8idrive?
Evolution raceworks, vrsf, and a few others make them for the n20 and n26 dependong on which you have with cats and without. Everybody sells them including their own websites, Fcp euro, bimmerworld, turner. Price shop as they all have sales randomly.
how many hours it takes?
If you have a 2nd set of hands to help hold the DP in place, it shouldn't take longer than 2-3hrs.
@@TheAutomotiveFanatic Thanks! installing soon!
X drive?
TJ, this will work on an xdrive as well.
Is ur wall breathing
LOL, furnace is located in the garage.
Tool list?
I would have to review the video to share the comprehensive tool list.
I quit being a VW and Audi fan after my b8 S4 stronic gear range sensor quit.
Fastboatster, what are you in now?
@@TheAutomotiveFanatic BMW, especially older ones
I quit at 2.5 mins your still talking
Thanks Brent for the feedback. I try to be as thorough as I can.
If you're still reading, the last thing I want to happen, is for a viewer to do something wrong because I did not correctly explain the process. Cheers, take it easy.