How To Remove 2015-2021 WRX J-pipe | Subaru FA20F downpipe

In this video we show how to remove the down pipe / J-pipe on a 2016 WRX. This is one of the most challenging jobs we have done and I hope this video helps you out! This should apply to 2014 and new Subaru WRX models.
IMPORTANT: Always install an Original Equipment (OE) downpipe when your stock one goes bad. Most aftermarket downpipes are only intended for offroad/race use only.
#SubaruWRX #WRXJPipe #FA20F
⚠️Try anything shown in this video at your own risk ⚠️
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🔩Parts (Affiliate Links)
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🔧 Tools Shown In This Video (Affiliate Links)
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[@Narsissy]

I had the exact same experience to the tee. 3 days straight under the car and a rounded nut on the top right. Ended up just putting it back together and taking it to a shop to have it done. Glad I sold it and got an sti.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

It is a pain lol. I've never seen vehicles that rust so badly but my brother does drive it in the winter.

[@shiloh5199]

Thank you guys, I'm not too familiar with the FA20's, I know the EJ's but this video really gave a good look at the J pipe.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@W333dm4n]

Fair to say this is the final boss of jobs on this car

[@SirGandalfGoyard]

Not looking forward to it

[@W333dm4n]

@@SirGandalfGoyard its not so bad , the nuts come off dont strip them,and soak the studs in brake fluid before spinning them off by the etorq. You cant put a lot of force of the etorq it will break off you will have to weld a nut to it The top heatshield is annoying to put back in you need to force it in with a prybar same as removal. The bracket will not line up to the block you need to make the hole on the bracket bigger

[@W333dm4n]

@@SirGandalfGoyard use heat, a little propane torch

[@W333dm4n]

Theyre like head bolts soo tight on there and sooo easy to strip

[@W333dm4n]

But only 32lbft torque

[@pumpkin971]

Excellent video for removal and extraction of the fasteners for DIY or the mechanically inclined only. Because it can make you cry. My 2015 Subaru WRX (not STI, STI has different down pipe configuration?) with 140K miles and Florida car, required catalytic converter replacement. The OEM cat has heat shields around which preclude access to all fasteners in the removal process of the cat and/or downpipe. That being said, the fasteners can be frozen or seized-up. As shown in the video, the upper right stud/nut is tacked in and difficult to get the socket squarely planted for extraction. I used a combination angle grinder and reciprocation saw to the cat by the neck right after the flange. Access to the stud and nut became good, but not able to extract even with torch heat. The hex nut was getting rounded. Had to use Dremel cutting blade to extract the nut and save the stud. Did not pursue extracting the stud and left it alone. Additionally, the lower right stud extraction galled the thread of the turbo flange and required tapping. Big picture, the fastener extraction process required lots of effort and lots of anxiety. Once the turbo flange connection was freed up and conditioned, installation of new Invidia Gemini 400 catted exhaust system was a breeze. The Invidia 400 less removal heat shields provided a very clean install and exposing all turbo flange fasteners. My suggestion is if you are keeping your car for longevity, I would periodically replace the turbo flange fasteners. I believe it would also be true if the exhaust header will need extraction in case trying to get to the oil pan. You will also need a variety of tools and equipment to help ease in the extraction process. Good luck!!!

[@petergrimm3827]

This is the exact video I was looking for. You're the man

[@W333dm4n]

READ THIS FOR THE HARD NUT, INSTEAD OF STRUGGLING WITH IT BENT THE HEADER HEAT SHIELD DOWN USING A PRY BAR SO YOU HAVE SPACE TO SPIN YOUR BREAKER BAR. AND THEN USE A HALF INCH LONG BREAKER BAR AND A HALF INCH 14 MM SOCKET AND IT WILL COME OFF JUST MAKE SURE THE SOCKET DOESN'T GO CROOKED WHILE YOU'RE DOING IT. WAY BETTER THAN STRUGGLING WITH IT AND TRYING TO CUT IT OFF TRUST ME IT WORKS

[@mrbeans2425]

Nh here, and you are 100% correct! I know mine is gonna be a pain in the ass! Wish I had a lift!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Best of luck with it!

[@saabgarage3574]

I got so lucky, 150k miles when I did mine, the bolts were rusted to the studs, so I got all out at the same ime lol

[@stancemedia4727]

I’m not sure, but I just got a 18 wrx and it almost looks like a custom downpipe

[@TheSundaeDrive]

If it doesn't look like ours it probably is aftermarket. Unless they changed something between 16 - 18

[@thatjordandudee]

Seriously we’ll done

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Glad it helped!

[@jaycar06ify]

Really appreciate this video. I've been dreading doing this job. Feel like this gave me a way better prep. I too am in Northeast, with a '15 WRX. Mine only has 40k on it so fingers crossed I can use some of the tricks here and get it done. Instant sub from me!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Best of luck with! Not a fun job but hopefully it will be easier than ours.

[@jaycar06ify]

@@TheSundaeDrive Managed to get through it fairly well. Prying the top heat shield off of the cat was super helpful. If you slide an extension right in front of the rear O2 you can get a straight shot at that upper RH stud. Used a handheld propane torch and was able to get all the studs out. Definitely glad it's over. Thanks again!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Awesome! Glad you got it!

[@evlx14]

One of my nuts rounded off so badly we had to weld another nut on top of it to get any grip. Good video! No one is going to have a pristine example that is easy to get off.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

They are so easy to round off I feel your pain! Glad you got it tho!

[@johnnybell5338]

Same, here. 3-4 of my studs are rounded off and stuck on. I’m damn near about to buy all new studs and just cut them off

[@zsubzer0_ria]

Thank you so much for this. Working on day 4 of getting this thing out after a lot of complications similar to yours. Lots of corrosion and such, I'll definitely try some of the methods you mentioned! Great video!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Awesome man! I hope it helps. Definitely a terrible job. Best of luck!

[@pizzofx-d7l]

what happens when you straight pipe WRX without any tune?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

I am not a WRX tuner but I do know the subies tend to be a bit sensitive

[@jjbondi1224]

Is there a o2 sensor for the secondary cat (catalytic converter) itself?

[@johnkakuk]

Any reason not to use penetrating fluid?

[@Mattmurphy683]

This video is awesome pretty much perfect! Bought a 2019 WRX 5 months ago and wanted and detailed video of removing the J-pipe before I just ripped it off. I live in PA so everything is rusty and this the info I needed to be more confident in upgrading my J-pipe! Thank you!!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Glad it helped!

[@6ryant__]

Started doing this tonight on my 17 w 90k miles. the top side bolt that is part of the heat/belt shield is a pain. Gotta get some PBblaster tomorrow before continuing.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

The corrosion level on these cars is crazy. They are definitely using cheap metal

[@harleycharlie5330]

Brand new 22 the 14mm fits loose on the brand new nut no corrosion

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Good to know.

[@saltycanadian6190]

Have you tried cutting up the jpipe you don’t need???

[@TheSundaeDrive]

you can do that but not everyone wants to trash it.

[@mjlfz1]

Doesn't look very fun! I just started mine on my 2015 WRX, the first bolt on the skid plate snapped! 😂 I really hope I can get this removed. Even harder on jack stands. Wish me luck!

[@K03sport]

...and I thought VW did things convoluted...this beats VW hands down.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

It was definitely a pain lol

[@adamgooch930]

i’ve had a downpipe for months sitting in my garage just cause of this reason

[@isrealwalters956]

Stg me too lmao

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Lol just take your time with it but it is not fun.

[@christopherdonahue6345]

Mine has been in my trunk well over a month after I watched this video. I felt like crying a few times for you @sundaedrive. I know how 1 hour jobs turn into a weekend. Thanks for the hope given.

[@gerardoruiz5116]

As hard as i tried not to, the 14mm bolts on the J-pipe studs rounded pretty bad. Any advice?

[@b00tyholep0pper]

Best bet is to cut the stud and nut in half as they did and using heat to get it off with the grips I’ve watched thousands of videos on removing j pipes almost most people that were successful without cracking a stub in the turbo used heat I haven’t tried it my self yet my j pipe comes next week but definitely will use heat hope you find a way to get that j pipe off been hearing it’s a pain in the ass

[@TheSundaeDrive]

It is definitely a pain. Time to get the Dremel out

[@alexvargas4114]

Funny bc my j-pipe to cat back exhaust was 15mm

[@TheSundaeDrive]

probably depends on the exhaust

[@thomasdinh2753]

realistic .. .story of my life with all those issues LOL

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Lol yeah, it's not fun

[@Josuewrxx]

So I have an intake and tune im getting a Grimmspeed catted pipe do I need to remove restrictor pill

[@Musclesmarinara]

Good vid bro!! 👍....guy at work had the same car...same problem.. corroded to no but we got it..keep up the good work!!!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Thanks man!! It wasn't fun but we got it. Way too many hours haha

[@Musclesmarinara]

Nothing is easy after 100k

[@TheSundaeDrive]

@@Musclesmarinara so true lol

[@-16-wrx-]

Also, kudos to yall that live in snow areas. I'd blow my head off if my under carriage looked like that. Yall the real MVP.

[@-16-wrx-]

I only had one issue. That one bolt that tough to get to. That said, I did mine at 8k miles on a southern California car. So zero rust.

[@Bosn1ac]

Best video on jpipe removal. Very helpful.

[@simplybuiltgarage]

What's the square box at the end of the j pipe

[@brandonpetrilla1731]

I'd have those J-Pipe to Turbo bolts heated up cherry red before trying to remove them.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Always a good idea

[@skeurton]

Luckily, I was able to remove my j-pipe without any issues. But removing the header was a different story. I ended up picking up a set of bolt/nut extractor sockets. They have sharp edges and you hammer them onto rounded or stubborn bolts/nuts so they get a good grip on them. Seriously one of the best purchases I've ever made.

[@andymachuca1265]

My catalytic converter went bad on my 2015 wrx. So I do this process to replace it?

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Yup. Hopefully yours isnt as corroded. Best of luck with it!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

If you don't need to save it, you can cut it off too at the bend to give you better access to the nuts.

[@jugado219]

This vid is so good. Thank you!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Glad to help! It stinks 😬😬😩

[@jacobbiltekoff3947]

Insanely helpful. Thanks you guys.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Glad it helped!

[@Gamer-ade]

This seems like it would be a nightmare to do without a car lift.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

It would have been a lot more annoying that is for sure.

[@Narsissy]

It is, trust me. I did it only with front ramps. I would never do this install again.

[@Dr.Ticklebum69]

Is it a viable option to go to a shop and have them just break the bolts free and retighten prior to j pipe replacement?