Topic: Drove over to Solo to have an exhaust installed

[Lithium Lotus]

I got up around 5am eastern and started my road trip to Solo Performance in Buffalo, NY to have a Mach Shorty and GXP high-flow cat installed. It was a 3 1/2 hour drive from Ohio. I saved a boat load of money by making the trip. Saved $100 on shipping for the exhaust, $30 for shipping on the cat, $65 for install of the exhaust at a local exhaust shop, probably $130 or more for install of the cat at a local exhaust shop.

I haven't had the chance to drive the car around town yet since I drove straight home from the shop. My car is FILTHY. My front bumper looked like an insect genocide took place when I got home, lol. I had great service at Solo and thanks go out to Jeff, Bob and the people that installed the exhaust system. They probably had it installed in under an hour, was pretty quick. I didn't realize how BIG the stock muffler is. It's like they took it from the Hummer. There is no reason why a stock muffler on a sports car should be that big.

So far it sounds pretty good, the way it should have from the factory, or at least with the regular Mach. I love how it doesn't have that cheap Honda beehive sound to it. From what I can tell, the car has more mid-range power, especially when accelerating on the highway. I need to wash my car tomorrow and drive it around for a bit.

[King-Oka]

So you're the guy!     I spoke with Jeff this morning and he told me he had just shipped out all his "in stock" systems to Buffalo..

Actually - I ordered a SQR2 this morning - and am having it shipped to BC Canada.  A bit too far to drive to get them to do the install.  Hopefully it'll be here before the Western Canada gathering on Aug 7th. Just got Norms Fascia delivered yesterday so it should all come together soon.   With the DDM Stage 2 and Solo's high flow CAT already on board, the car should rock and sound great doing it   

[Kelu]

When I wake up this morning I found this in my email:

Hi  Augustin,
Thanks so much for your Catless downpipe and Mach (Quad tip)  order.
Your USPS tracking number is ...
*Norm has your fascia order and he should be shipping within 30 days or so.
[...]

Can't wait to get it, I'm impressed by Solo and some other vendors for our cars.
Should I wait Norm's fascia and install them both OR install the exhaust now and then to install fascia later when will arrive later next month?

[King-Oka]

The only reason I'm doing both at once is that I have a N/A Solstice with a right side exhaust, and I'm going to a center dual setup.  If your pipes are in the same location as stock with the Mach ( and I think they are), then you can do the exhaust right away, and Norms Fascia later.

[Kelu]

Yes, the quad tips are in the same place as stock ones.
Great, I will do as you said, thanks for helping.

[GregGXP]

Kelu,

  You may find that you have to remove the rear of the exhaust in order to have enough room to work with removing the old fascia and installing the new one. The alignment of the tips coming out of the new fascia might also have to be adjusted.

  Personally, I would probably wait and do it all at one time. Remove old exhaust and rear fascia, install new exhaust, then finally the new fascia.

  Of course this is very dependent on how patient you are 

[Kelu]

I understand what your are saying generally I'm pretty patient but already my order was delayed for some weeks (has nothing to do with Solo people) and the norm's rear fascia will arrive after 3-6 weeks.
I don't think I can wait so long I already once removed rear of the stock exhaust when I installed my custom backbone and was easy task. Don't think will be an issue to do it again for rear fascia.

Thanks for info.

I will keep you posted and I'm thinking to make a "How-To" about removing the rear fascia for Sky/GTI (i noticed there are none and I really want to promote solo/norm's products) if I will do this myself and not by a professional.