Borla X pipe Install
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 524
Likes: 126
From: Sandown NH
Borla X pipe Install
H Pipe cut apart showing tiny openings inside.
Stock H pipe cut and removed
Stock flange weld crack
Borla X pipe installed.
Replaced my stock H pipe with a Borla X pipe this weekend after the weld on one of the stock flanges broke off. Just some pics for reference attached. The other flange weld was also cracked. I also cut apart the H pipe to expose the tiny openings inside! Easy job to replace the pipe. Takes longer to jack up and support the car than it does to put the pipe on!
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: PA
Thanks for the pics. I installed a Borla cat back exhaust last year and am looking at getting the Borla X pipe now. Glad to hear it was easy to install. I may tackle this job myself if there are no major obstacles. Is there any performance increase expected with the X pipe (I am guessing it will be minimal - 5hp maybe).
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 524
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From: Sandown NH
Stock axle back with chain type tail pipe cutter.
Thanks for the pics. I installed a Borla cat back exhaust last year and am looking at getting the Borla X pipe now. Glad to hear it was easy to install. I may tackle this job myself if there are no major obstacles. Is there any performance increase expected with the X pipe (I am guessing it will be minimal - 5hp maybe).
I have no idea if there is any performance increase. I got a chain type tail pipe cutter from the "loan a tool" program at Advance Auto Parts. It made cutting the pipes very easy. Needed to leave a $50 deposit and get it all back when you return it. See the pic if you are not familiar with this tool. You need the car up high enough so you can get under it and hold the X pipe up to the stock H pipe. You then just mark where you need to make the cuts with a Sharpie. The Borla X pipe slips over the cut ends and clamps in place.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Sandown NH
Had I known when I bought the Axle back that the X pipe was a simple slip fit it would have bought it at the same time. You don't have to get the car up super high. I read that one person just jacked up one side and was able to do the install. Put your floor jack on a couple of pieces of 2x8s stacked if needed. I have a very low profile long reach high lift (24") jack from Harbor Freight that worked well with no additional "shimming" needed.
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Cruising
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: PA
Thanks for the info. I got the Borla axle back at the Corvette show at Carslile. It was a good price and they offered free install. Couldn't beat that. I agree, I probably should have got the X pipe at the same time.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 524
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From: Sandown NH
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 524
Likes: 126
From: Sandown NH
Shiny part was probably all that was holding the stock flange on when I did the axle back!
If you are under you car sometime, take a look at the flanges on the H pipe side. Soot around the weld is a telltale sign of a crack.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
I have the Borla Stingers and the Borla X, I installed the Stingers myself but I paid a muffler shop $100 to install and weld in the X. I love the sound, I have a mid lift cam and together they sound great. Like American Thunder.