How to Remove Exhaust Manifold and Up Pipe from a 2015 Subaru WRX STi

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1: Loosen BOV and Hard Lines

Before starting work on the car; make sure the car is secure on the lift or jack stands

Remove the 2 12mm bolts hold the BOV in place

Remove the 10mm bolts holding the black hard line in place

Take off the BOV and leave the hard line loosely in place

Step 2: Remove Intercooler Monting Bolts

Remove the sound tube bracket as there is a mounting bolt underneath on the passenger side of the car

All the other bolts are fairly accessible; recommend to use deep sockets and various length socket extenstions

There are 2 more mounting bolt on the rear of the intercooler that must be removed; it is NOT pictured

Step 3: Remove Turbo and Intake Couplers

Loosen hose clamps on the silicone coupler for the Turbo and Throttle body

Using a flat head screw driver carefully loosen the couplers

You can use a 90deg pick and run it around the outside edges of the coupler help free it

Silicone spray is also very helpful

Step 4

Carefully remove the intercooler some wiggling will be required

Step 5: Remove Sound Tube

Remove 2 hose clamps on the sound tube; one next to the intake pipe and one near the firewall

Remove sound tube and all associated hoses

Step 6: Remove Turbocharger Heat Shield

Remove Bolts from the turbo heat shield

There is one bolt behind the turbo not easily seen or accessible. Please note the location in the picture; located using a cell phone camera

Step 7: Loosen Downpipe from Turbo

Loosen bolts on the downpipe.

Do not remove the All bolts yet; it is easier to remove the heat shields underneath the vehicle when the downpipe is loose. You can leave 2 or 3 on the pipe

This is picture is for reference without the heat shield to show hard to see bolts when looking from top

Step 8: Remove Heat Shields

Remove bolts holding the heat shield

There is one on the interior to the shield itself; use the proper amount of extensions to reach

Step 9: Remove Mid Pipe

Before removing the downpipe comepletely remove the mid pipe.

First disconnect the O2 sensor form the harness plug on the side of the transmission. You can leave the physical sensor in the pipe for now

Remove the bolts holding the mid pipe and any associated gaskets

With a friends help or a jack stand, carefully support the exhaust and remove mid pipe

Step 10: Remove Downpipe

Remove 5 bolts/nuts holding the downpipe to the turbo

Remove downpipe

Step 11: Unbolt Heatshield

Insert wisdom here.

Step 12: Remove O2 Sensor and Loosen Up Pipe Bolts

Insert wisdom here.