Rep Power: 0

Well, After reading around on the forums, asking some questions and doing some shopping I bought everything I THOUGHT was needed to swap my exhaust from a DX to EX. Here's my story:

Bought a used EX Magnaflow cat-back from a gent who had it on his wifes 01 LX. Apparently there is a small peice that you can remove on the kit if you are installing it on the LX/DX models to make it fit because of the length of the header/cat on the DX/LX. So, without this piece it made it easy to install on my DX with stock header, no problems what-so-ever.

Purchased a 4-1 DC Sports 1-piece Ceramic Coated header used on here. Looked at the box when it got to me and was extremely surprised at the tiny size.. and was even more amazed when I opened the box, but figured I was just uninformed and thought they were bigger. Worried me there is no O2 sensor bung, but remembered that the DC sports don't have them.

MisterFrankieJ told me to buy the '03 EX front sway (stabilizer) bar -- item #5 -- to help with the clearance issue I was having with the 2.25" pipe hitting the '02 DX version.

Because the DX header has the cat built in, unless I wanted to run catless I would have to buy a cat. Went for the universal magnaflow cat (9400 series) that I assumed they could weld right into the exhaust pipe. Also, because of the position of the O2 sensor being farther back, purchased an O2 sensor extension wire (24" to be safe).

Set up an appointment with my local shop that has a good rep with doing good work, and brought it in today. Get a voicemail 2 1/2 hrs later with the bad news! Apparently that can't install ANYTHING I bought. here's the reasons:

Sway Bar: Apparently the bushings/brackets are not the same size from the DX to an EX.. they will do research on this to make sure of this and check to see how the EX is installed, etc.

Header/Cat: Apparently there is also a difference in the EX/DX size of the pipe and flange and something to do with the way the pipe is bent. I am going to go ahead and assume I am an idiot and that's what the EX downpipe eleviates?

Man, this day just SUCKS hardcore for me! Any and all help is appreciated... what am I missing/doing wrong?

 
Rep Power: 292

You just need to buy bushings the brackets are the same. It would be #6 in the diagram. Make sure the bushings are for an 03 because in 01-02 they were a different size. Sorry i didn't clear that up before, I assumed you knew. You are also correct about the exhaust. If you would've gotten an EX downpipe everything would've been a bolt on since you have the o2 sensor extention.

 
Rep Power: 0

Bought the bushings for the 03 EX.. should have them shortly and have them installed..

Anyone know where I can get a good downpipe for pretty cheap? Anyone looking to sell theirs or sell a random tech hi-flow cat pipe?