uLs1a

iTrader: (22)

So I took of my stock exhaust manifold last night and as I was unbolting the cat from the manifold I snapped one of the three rods and bent another one. Is there anyway to get those rods out to replace them? I know you will say just trash em and get long tubes, but I live in Cali and I have to smog this year. My car is a '98 with almost 104k miles so they were pretty rusted, is there anyway to get the rods out?

cobrakillerta

iTrader: (4)

Try PB blaster, honestly I really don't think you are going to get those studs off...just get some headers (American Racing Headers to be exact!), I'm sure you can get around that inspection somehow

Why were you removing the stock manifolds if you're not installing headers???

Golf&GM

iTrader: (22)

I had the same thing happen to mine, but I was installing headers when I took them off so I wasn't excatly in your position and I haven't heard of anyway to repair them. A few sponsers carry emission legal headers that let you keep the AIR system, might be an option.

Mumbles

iTrader: (5)

I swapped a motor in 93 Blazer and broke a couple of collector studs on the manifolds while removing the donor motor. I used a bolt extractor on one and the other I ended up drilling out and rethreading with a tap. The collector studs should thread out of the manifold and you should be able to purchase new studs either from GM or an aftermarket parts store. And BANG! you can reinstall your manifolds. Although I must admit, I'm with these guys. If you're going to the trouble of removing the factory exhaust, you should totally replace it with some upgraded parts. <=-)

uLs1a

iTrader: (22)

I had a lifter tap and so i swapped those out and was planning on doing headers after I smog this year

uLs1a

iTrader: (22)

Anyone else have an ideas?
Would it be alright to just have two bolts on the drivers side holding the car to the manifold?

LS1crazy01

iTrader: (14)

Yeah, you can Just buy a new pair of used ones on here they are cheap as hell. Or by some shorty headers.

uLs1a

iTrader: (22)

Bump any other ideas?

mrhzk35404

iTrader: (7)

Take them to a good machine shop and have them drill and tap them out and install new studs.

uLs1a

iTrader: (22)

Would there be such a noticable exhaust leak if I only have two of the studs and not three?

02Sweet

iTrader: (4)

I would think so. Try blocking one end off and putting an air chuck threw the other end. Does air come off?

I just pulled off my stock exhaust with 50k on it. I didn't even try remove those bolts

uLs1a

iTrader: (22)

Its do able to unbolt em, I have 103k on mine, but I ended up snapping one and bending two or three others

98TAjwh

iTrader: (4)

you WILL have a leak if you leave any of the bolts out. try drilling them out and putting new bolts in.

1999FirehawkLS1

iTrader: (21)

I would just have someone cut the bolts off flush grind it smooth and weld new studs on man espec if your going to replace them in a yr or 2

BlackSVT03

iTrader: (1)

Chris... I didnt know that happened... I think I have my stock 99 T/A Manifolds still if you need em.

Relapse

iTrader: (4)

i dont know if this has been mentioned yet bc im lazy and didnt want to read it, but you could grind the rest of the bolt off and then Tap a new hole where the other bolt was... get the correct bolt size and tighten a nut on the other side.

Edit i read some of it... and only tightening 2 bolts might be a bad idea... you could have an exhaust leak from the lack of pressure on the third side unless they were identical and the gasket fit perfectly