Hi everyone,
I'm am going to have the D3 stage-1 and stage-2 pipes installed soon. So before i went to have that done, i wanted to see if i could get the stock engine cover to fit, which i did. The main engine cover photo was taking during this mock-up, and shows that the D3 stage-1 pipe is not yet installed.
What was needed to be done first was to take between 7/16" to about 1/2" off the end of each side of the stage-2 pipe, it was just simply too long (as is) to make this work (see photo). I also placed rags in both ends of the pipe, and then sealed the inside of the pipe with tape about two inches down, making sure that no debree from cutting could get in there (this absolutley has to be done first before any cutting is done to the pipe).
Then, the passenger side bracket (unknown name) needed a small piece cut out of it so that the stage-2 pipes mounting brackets could slide further back without hitting against it (see photo).
There is also one forward facing bracket located at the front driver's side of the blower that needed to be pushed back (see photo). I did not take a photo of this bracket, so i had to use someone elses off the internet.
Once all that was done, the stock cover fit without having to be cut or modded. It's a tight fit but it gets the job done!
I am also planning on adding washers to raise the rear covers mount up a little bit more. I will also use washers (maybe fender washers with the sides trimmed off) to try to grab as much of the stage-2 L & R mounting bracket holes as i can (as they no longer fit over the screws). I may also slot the holes (cut the forward facing portion off) to get more movement upon final installation.
If D3 needed to rework the stage-2 pipe to work with the stock cover, they would simply need to shorten it, and move the stage-2's mounting brackets forward with slotted holes, and also supply washers to raise the two rear facing stock cover mounts/bolts (the washers would go under the rear two of the six 10mm bolts that hold the stock pipe on).
*I will post back when final installation is done, as i will probaly tweak the fit some more (with washers). I will post a final finished photo, along with the dyno results etc.
