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Evora 400 decat pipe - WOW!

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221 - 240 of 249 Posts
#221 ·
It's a relatively easy job that requires you lift the car so you have some working room. The hardest part for me was getting the cat off of the exhaust plumbing which took some convincing with a soft blow hammer. You will also need a pipe expander to fit the new tube. I was able to do it myself though a third hand can be useful when reinstalling the muffler assembly back on the car.

Some people have been able to keep the muffler assembly in place but I was unable to do that as I needed to take the whole thing off for disassembly due to the reluctance of the cat to come off without convincing via the hammer. I found it easiest to drop the whole assembly, muffler, fittings and all, so it could be worked on without interference.
 
#222 ·
I've turned a few wrenches in my time. Don't have a muffler pipe expander. That may be my excuse to finally buy one of those. I've had my eye on one on amazon for a while.
 
#224 ·
OK, I'll hold off on the expander. I have a 2x4 and a rubber mallet, AKA "The Lotus Wrench." Not to be confused with the BFH that is "The Harley Wrench," AKA "Thor."

I gotta go through this thread, but what needs expanding, just stick the 2x4 in at an angle and whap it to bend it out some?
 
#225 ·
IME, nothing needs expanding, shoot some liquid wrench in there if necessary, and use the tools mentioned. It's not a super complex system, very small as the engine is right there. I pulled out the collector as some others mentioned, since the unit is kind of heavy. Put it on a towel, do work, reinstall. Hardest part is fiddling with the rear diffuser.
 
#226 ·
Dr.Hess said:
I've turned a few wrenches in my time. Don't have a muffler pipe expander. That may be my excuse to finally buy one of those. I've had my eye on one on amazon for a while.
Click to expand...
A proper set of matched and weighted hammers is necessary for any toolbox.....remember, if the problem can't be fixed with a hammer, it must be electric........;)
 
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#227 ·
Thanks, guys. When it gets here, I'll start digging into it. The roads still have left over salt on them. Don't care to take it out on that anyway.

Y'all have heard of the Harley took kit, right? 6 different sized hammers? Pretty much a "classic" Harley tool kit. Not so much for the Evo and Twinkie bikes.
 
#228 ·
I got my decat pipe for my 17/400 from Greg's Racing Parts a couple weeks ago - have been working on other projects and it's still sitting in the box - but appreciate you boys bumping this thread for any hints I can pick up.

Kevin

PS - I own numerous Harleys, so have a large collection of hammers at my disposal! :)
 
#229 ·
Excellent, Kev.

I have a 86 FLHT that I bought new (I opened the box it came in,) a 87 XLH that I bought new for my wife while on a road trip in Canada. She rode it home to Central Texas by way of Los Angeles. Wore out the chain and rear tire before we got home from the dealer. And a 99 crate motor Evo chopper, 6" over, 4" stretch. Fortunately, I no longer have a 79 FLH POS or a 75 XLH. So, I, too, have a good hammer collection in my tool box drawer labeled "Harley Wrenches."
 
#230 · (Edited)
For the record, those $20 Amazon expanders are garbage. I ordered one specifically for the job but it broke before the pipe budged. I needed one to get the thing to slide on but not everybody does apparently. In the end I borrowed a set from Auto Zone on their loaner program. It was a real tool that saw the job done. I would expect to have to employ some form of persuasion as mine required it. I didn't imagine that! If you are comfortable improvising, great but if your car is like mine, you'll have to expand the tube to get the fitment established.
 
#231 ·
lotusquacious said:
For the record, those $20 Amazon expanders are garbage. I ordered one specifically for the job but it broke before the pipe budged. I needed one to get the thing to slide on but not everybody does apparently. In the end I borrowed a set from Auto Zone on their loaner program. It was a real tool that saw the job done. I would expect it to have to employ some form of persuasion as mine required it. I didn't imagine that! If you are comfortable improvising, great but if your car is like mine, you'll have to expand the tube to get the fitment established.
Click to expand...
The ones from Hazard Fraught are no better...
 
#233 ·
lotusquacious said:
Some people have been able to keep the muffler assembly in place but I was unable to do that as I needed to take the whole thing off for disassembly due to the reluctance of the cat to come off without convincing via the hammer. I found it easiest to drop the whole assembly, muffler, fittings and all, so it could be worked on without interference.
Click to expand...
I believe my local dealer takes off the whole exhaust to do the decat swap.
 
#234 ·
I have the HF set, and it is useless as an expander. Works to make things round again and that's about it. Put enough torque on it and it will strip out way before it expands anything. I think HF sells it not as an expander but a "make round again-er." I was looking at a manual real set in the $150 price range. Got a link here somewhere if I can find it. I think it was on amazon.
 
#237 ·
breckles said:
I am in the process of purchasing an Evora 400 (from a forum member) that had the decat installed. I’m extremely excited to hear the car but in the back of my head I am worried about passing smog since I’m in CA.

-Any 400 owners in CA have the decat and pass smog?
- For those that have the 3rd cat laying around since installing the decat willing to sell it to me? I would like to be ready, just in case.
Click to expand...
There are numerous owners in CA running the 3rd cat delete without any issue. I am not saying that it is 100% emissions legal by the letter of the law but the cat delete is post O2 sensors so it does not trip any check engine lights. Also as mentioned since there is still a catalyst on each bank right off of the heads there is no unburnt fuel stink like there is on completely catless cars.


Dr.Hess said:
OK, thanks. I read earlier in this thread that you needed a wider clamp up front.
Click to expand...
The flange on our cat delete is specially machined to match the oem flange so no new clamp is needed.
 
#239 ·
breckles said:
I am in the process of purchasing an Evora 400 (from a forum member) that had the decat installed. I’m extremely excited to hear the car but in the back of my head I am worried about passing smog since I’m in CA.

-Any 400 owners in CA have the decat and pass smog?
- For those that have the 3rd cat laying around since installing the decat willing to sell it to me? I would like to be ready, just in case.
Click to expand...
@breckles, sounds like it won't be a problem but keep us posted as I might be in a similar situation behind you.
Thanks
 
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