Karl101

i'm taking a break on my install on my 2000 TA. still in the process of removing the stock manifolds. how do you guys reach the back bolt on the drivers side? i can't reach it at all. and on the passenger side... with the air conditioning in the way, how did you all do it? was it easier to go from underneath? everything aft-cat is already removed...

z-maro

iTrader: (18)

I believe I got them from under the car.

Karl101

how did you get to them with the catalytic converters in the way?

z-maro

iTrader: (18)

I just reached up there and did it? You have to be a little creative and patient. Also I believe some people take the cats off first, but I did not. Good luck.

s346k

iTrader: (4)

did you remove the coil packs and plug wires? if not, that is step #1. the rear driver's side bolt is easily accessible as well as all of the passenger side bolts once the coil packs are out of the way.

Karl101

plugs wires on the drivers side are off. they are being extremely difficult with that heat shield on them. my helper is working on getting the passenger side off. i'll get the coils out of the way shortly, and take the cats off.

dont z20h8

iTrader: (1)

coils and cats sound like your problem did you by chance take a look at the header write up floating around?

JUSTINSWS6

I got all of mine from the top except the two on each side in the back i got them from underneath

jsteele90

iTrader: (13)

ratcheting wrench is what i think i used. air ratchet is very helpful also.

Karl101

I wish i had any air wrenches lol. i looked at all the write ups i could find. they helped, i just wished there are pictures. the thing in the back that the rubber hoses are connected to... i think it has something to do with the AIR. it's connected to a coil rail on the drivers side. there is no way i can get that off too lol. i can barely fit my hand back there searching for the bolt in the back that's keeping it on lol. and it's hindering my attempt to get the coils out of the way on that side. the cats are practically rusted on too. i am sorely tempted to drop the engine. but i'm doing this in the front yard and i don't have a cherry picker. got a farm tractor though. saw someone on here that held the car up with a picker and dropped the engine. same principle i think.

Karl101

you can probably tell that this is my first header install lol

JUSTINSWS6

The thing on the back of the driver side head doesnt come off.

Karl101

I thought you could because it was a part of the AIR check valve assembly. The rubber hoses that comes off the manifold go to it. **** i broke the things on the top of it trying to get it off.

JUSTINSWS6

make sure to get a vaccum cap on it. all you had to do was pull all of the rubber hose out and the little rubber hose that goes to that pull it and cap it and keep the thing on in the back. you never see it

Karl101

ok. i think i'm going to call it a day, and work on it again tomorrow. what do you suggest about getting the back manifold bolts off since it doesn't seem likely that i can get the cats off and get at them from underneath?

JUSTINSWS6

that piece is to hard to get to unless the motor is out leave it in there.

Karl101

okay, i got the drivers side almost off. 3/8" drive ratchet with a 10mm deep and a cheater bar got that back bolt moving. i should have disconnected the o2 sensors, but i didn't. so i'm just going to unplug them, finish taking the manifold out, and screw them out of the pipes when the manifolds and the rest of the exhaust is out. so tomorrow at the crack of dawn... passenger side manifold, and hopefully downhill from there because i think that side is going to be a nightmare. where do i get vacuum caps at? and should i think about taking out the A/C? i do plan on getting the chris1313 ram air at some point. and it'll make it easier to work on that side.

Karl101

and i still got poly mounts to do...:/

OnlyACamaroCanbeAZ28

I pulled mine off today as well. Left my coil packs on and plug wires although the wires are easy enough to pull off. Also removed the 2 middle spark plugs. dont have passenger side done yet but driver side wasnt to bad. 3/8 ratchet with a 10mm deep socket works pretty good. as for the last bolt I used a 10 MM gearwrench from the top. its hard to move but just be patient with it. Once you put the header on theres sort of enough room to do it from the bottom but its hard if your on the ground. Im using a lift so sort of easier but everything bolt wise is deff accessible from the top

Karl101

how are you going to go about doing the passenger side? i'm putting in new plugs and wires after i get the headers in. just the old wires are a PITA to get out. broke a couple pulling on them lol.