this!!!!!

 

My cousin runs his own shop; doing the install at his place as he has a full lift with all the right tools...

 

All of those should be something in your arsenal any way I actually broke my brothers impact wrench getting my downpipe off. We had to go back to a breaker bar. Spray the bolts a few days ahead of time (maybe even now) that way they break easier. I sprayed mine 2 days in advance and it still gave me hell.

 

Headers, CAI, and O2 sensors are now all delivered. Waiting on exhaust and CEL elminator...

If the weather is cleared up tonight I will be installing the CAI tonight.. If not, than maybe this weekend if I have time...

*Update

Wrong K&N CAI was sent...Could not install tonight...Even if it was the right part could not install due to thunder showers and no access to a garage tonight...

Headers also the wrong part ordered. They are stainless steel and not ceramic coated, like specificed for the item I paid for on EBay. Headers are also 4-1 and not 4-2-1.

Very upset about all of this right now. Yeah I could go with the headers I have but I didn't order stainless steel or a 4-1 header. The funny thing is, the box shipped is clearly marked STAINLESS STEEL and 4-1 OBX Headers... Do people not know how to read.

Both will require me to pay $ out of my pocket for shipping and both will require me to pay more money out of my pocket to ship the right items. I'm hoping sellers pick up the shipping cost and send the other products overnight. All of this mess is there fault, not mine.

As for the exhaust, well I'm praying that is the correct part or I will absolutely lose it if it comes in as the incorrect part...

 

Sat down and took a deep breath after flipping out the last two nights…. Here is what is going on…

Blox CEL Eliminator order was cancelled due to a backorder and the time it would take to get it…

Hopefully I resolved the issue. Placed an order on Amazon.com for a Weapon-R Universal CEL last night…

K&N CAI I ordered was for the EVO and not my ES. I am waiting on a RMA number to return that product. I did order the correct CAI (SR) for my ES. That should be here by next Thursday.

OBX Headers – the ones I have are indeed 4-2-1 after further review as I was so livid that I received stainless steel vs. ceramic coated that I quickly looked at the overall product and thought they were 4-1 headers. I am now at peace with this item and will install ASAP…

SR*S Exhaust – MIA – No idea what is going on with this product… Seller has not provided me an update and it has been 8 business days since the initial order.

Hopefully by end of day tomorrow I will know more about the exhaust and where I stand with updating my car performance. Looking at the headache and frustration this has caused me, I feel as if I should of done the OEM exhaust manifold instead or traded my 06 for an 04 Lancer Sportback.

If I would have done the trade I would have gotten the HP increase without the needs of mods… LOL…

 

Good job MELancer! I'm also tempted for a header but seems like OBX is the only choice available now for our oldie Lancer :-(
My car has K&N SRI and customed Magnaflow catback + HFC. Not sure if the header would add much to the performance considering loudy noise. So pls keep us update on the progress.

 

I actually have a K&N SRI on my 02 Lancer OZ, 5 speed. When I got it on, I did actually notice a difference. But then I purchased a cheap Ebay header, 4-1 type, and a 2.5 inch exhaust from Ebay as well. I know thats a bit big for an N/A car, but it was cheap, and needed a new exhaust anyways. When I installed these, I lost low RPM power, but up top, its definitely a little more ferocious, (in my opinion). Plus, my gas mileage went from about 26-27, up to a consistent 33. And thats with 5k shifting through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Seems miraculous, but it happened.

 

When you do get the exhaust in let me know if you have any trouble getting the silencer off. I bought the same exhaust and cant seem to get the silencer out of it

 

Maine state law has changed as of 1/12/12. The car exhaust system (engine back) has to be OEM; any aftermarket parts will fail inspection.

So I went to not 1 but 9 shops today; no one will touch the exhaust; even the places I went to that do not inspect vehicles. Simply put, I SOL. The only part I can install of my car is the CAI....

As I sit here with a this stainless steel setup crying to be installed, there is nothing I can do at this point since Maine has changed their laws on exhaust systems.

I will be selling my OBX headers and SR*S exhaust in the very near future. This is disappointing as I was really hoping to get some enjoyment out of the Lancer; however, that does not look like the case...

So, I still need an exhaust manifold converter as mine is rusted. I'm so glad that I will have to pay over $1,200 for a stupid ultra restrictive flow system that will does nothing great.

I hate Maine!!!!!

If I can sell my house, I may consider moving...

 

What a weekend I had with the lancer. After finding out that the K&N CAI originally ordered was the incorrect part, I was able to resolve that by ordering the correct K&N and return the incorrect part. I received the correct K&N CAI on Thursday. It is now installed and it added a nice rumble sound when I accelerate and the RPMs go above 3,000. Due to the excessive back pressure in the exhaust system the exhaust system shakes.

I am planning on returning the OBX headers as I need a Manifold converter since Maine omission laws almost mirror California. I am stuck between three manufactures for the replacement manifold converter: Pacesetter, Magnaflow, and Bosal. Of the three listed, I can pick up the Bosal unit for around $300 and the other two run around $500. Now all I need to do is purchase a free flowing converter pipe or have one custom made to the second CAT to improve air flow. This would resolve the exhaust issue from the engine to the second CAT.

The SR*S cat-back exhaust system that I have is more than likely going to be sold on E-Bay for $150 or so shipped. Due to the exhaust tip being 4.5 inches it attracts the attention of the local and state LEO. I reached out to a local shop and asked for their input. They are looking into the Magnaflow cat-back exhaust system; if Magnaflow is able to provide decimal reading values to them they will install and inspect my vehicle if the exhaust meets Maine exhaust decimal laws. If not, the cat-back section of the exhaust may end up custom made system; however, the muffler I select will have to be as close to stock sound as possible or I won’t get a state inspection sticker.

One last thing; as my car sits I’m also going to replace the second CAT as my car has around 90,000 miles, which is allowed in Maine once the car has 80,000 miles or is 8 years old. I plan on going with the Magnalfow direct fit CAT.

Hopefully I will be able to get some performance increase other than a CAI out of the Lancer. Seeing how I have a full stainless exhaust system in my house that is crying to be installed just sitting there is driving me nuts… However, I don’t want to deal with the police and there stupidity or lack of understanding the laws they are suppose to enforce. That is why I am trying to get the car sound as close to stock as possible but increase the performance with a good exhaust system.