Overpipe Clearance to Frame

[Spuds]

Hey folks. Installed a JDL overpipe on JDL headers and am getting the overpipe contacting the subframe frame issue with normal street driving. It sounds worse at AX lol. Already have the STI motor and transmission mounts installed.

Things I am planning to try:

-I might be able to remount the OP a bit more to the left relative to the header given the slots clearance to the bolt. Piping would be a bit offset, but it's better than the racket on left hand turns.

-Maybe there is a bit of wiggle room to kick the engine to the left a bit on its mounts? Loosen mounts and somehow shift engine. Would need to look if the mounts give any degrees of freedom for this.

-Put a pad of some kind on the frame?

Any more suggestions or advice?

[RT-BRZ]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Hey folks. Installed a JDL overpipe on JDL headers and am getting the overpipe contacting the subframe frame issue with normal street driving. It sounds worse at AX lol. Already have the STI motor and transmission mounts installed.

Things I am planning to try:

-I might be able to remount the OP a bit more to the left relative to the header given the slots clearance to the bolt. Piping would be a bit offset, but it's better than the racket on left hand turns.

-Maybe there is a bit of wiggle room to kick the engine to the left a bit on its mounts? Loosen mounts and somehow shift engine. Would need to look if the mounts give any degrees of freedom for this.

-Put a pad of some kind on the frame?

Any more suggestions or advice?

How old are your engine mounts? If they are the OEM ones then it might be time to replace them.

I don't know how you would move the engine on the mounts though. It doesn't seem like there is that kind of flexibility in there.

[RToyo86]

I'd get some pictures and contact Jesse at JDL. They must have made an error when fabricating it.

I had the same issue with my OP through local shop that made OPs for these. I'd be willing to bet it's touching on the passenger side of the subframe.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by RT-BRZ

How old are your engine mounts? If they are the OEM ones then it might be time to replace them.

I don't know how you would move the engine on the mounts though. It doesn't seem like there is that kind of flexibility in there.

STI/group N engine mounts are about 3 years old.

I was thinking there might be a bit of wiggle room between the mounts and the frame. Might not need to do that though, was able to push the OP over a bit relative to the header.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by RToyo86

I'd get some pictures and contact Jesse at JDL. They must have made an error when fabricating it.

I had the same issue with my OP through local shop that made OPs for these. I'd be willing to bet it's touching on the passenger side of the subframe.

It's a secondhand OP, but the header is "new" as of 2023. I don't think the header is the problem since the outlet flange is quite close to the primary. OP looks and otherwise fits really well.

You are correct. I'm adding pics below, I think my adjustment might solve the problem but I have a couple of other stuff to work on before testing.

[Spuds]

Loosened the OP to header connection and pushed the OP I bit to the left away from the frame. See pics below for before, after, and rub mark. Went from about 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch. I think this might work. Appreciate the suggestions!

[Spuds]

Just an update on my fix for anyone who comes across this later. Moving the OP over seems to have fixed the left turn issue. At least with the highest g I'm willing to pull on the street, haven't done an AX event on it yet.

However, now I have a strange clank sound when the right side of the car hits a specific kind of bump. I think it might be front pipe donut connector related since I had to move the FP over a bit when I moved the OP (since I didn't want to undo that connection too. That's a different problem though...


Edit/update for anyone who comes across this. AX loads were fine, no more rubbing by the FP. Clanking was indeed donut connection, found a fix by shifting things around and using slightly different hardware. Seems like my JDL FP is not quite aligned with the bolt holes on my catback.

[NoHaveMSG]

Has JDL said anything?

My setup is much different but still tight and haven’t had issues.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Hey folks. Installed a JDL overpipe on JDL headers and am getting the overpipe contacting the subframe frame issue with normal street driving.

Any more suggestions or advice?

Bubba says to use a crowbar and bend/pound the pipe over, then use baling wire to hold it over.

(why is this new generation making life soo hard for themselves?)

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Has JDL said anything?

My setup is much different but still tight and haven’t had issues.

I haven't asked them since the adjustment seems to have resolved that particular issue.