1st try......failed
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Findlay, Ohio
1st try......failed well i started the header install this morning at 7am and i still didn't get the damn manifolds off 
but i did get all but two spark plugs and wires off(the 2 back ones on the pass side) i also deleted the rear o2's and cut the Y-pipe off. then the problems....i can't reach the back bolts on both sides of the manifolds...i would go under but i can't ****** get the cats off(i can't get a wrench or sockets or even a damn sawzall up there to cut outta the way 
) so after hours of getting nowhere with the remaining bolts i just gave up for the night 
i just don't know how to get the of the bolts off since i can't f'n reach them.....oh and to top it off, my bro told me last night "yeah man i'll be there to help as soon as i get up"......no help...i did it all by myself mommy 
but yeah there always tomarrow i guess...
oh yeah i also broke my 10mm socket.....WHY GOD WHHHYYYYYY!!!!
but i did get all but two spark plugs and wires off(the 2 back ones on the pass side) i also deleted the rear o2's and cut the Y-pipe off. then the problems....i can't reach the back bolts on both sides of the manifolds...i would go under but i can't ****** get the cats off(i can't get a wrench or sockets or even a damn sawzall up there to cut outta the way ) so after hours of getting nowhere with the remaining bolts i just gave up for the night i just don't know how to get the of the bolts off since i can't f'n reach them.....oh and to top it off, my bro told me last night "yeah man i'll be there to help as soon as i get up"......no help...i did it all by myself mommy but yeah there always tomarrow i guess...
oh yeah i also broke my 10mm socket.....WHY GOD WHHHYYYYYY!!!!
Last edited by Transgression; Mar 19, 2006 at 04:44 PM.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Findlay, Ohio
yeah i know but who if i can't get ANY kind of tool up there to get them out?? .....I'm sooo close.....well since i don't have any(but 2)spark plugs left and the y pipe cut off i HAVE to finish it now!....no excuses
I spent hours cutting and recutting, then the damn back bolts on the pass. side! reinstall was bad too had to get the y pipe flared and rebent alittle. just hang in their when it's all done you'll be happy.
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use a 10mm gear wrench and another wrench to move it thats what i had to do on my manifolds for the back, also when you get all but the last back one out you can use a bungee strap and pull the manifold up and strap it to the hood and get the last bolt from the bottom with that gear wrench. hang in there.
You don't need to take the cat's off to get the manifolds out, I just took the manifold bolts out, raised it up and they came right out in one piece, even easier than the headers went up.
also make sure to take the coil packs off.
I didn't take a single plug out on my install, nor did I have to remove or touch anything else to get them to slide in.
also make sure to take the coil packs off.
I didn't take a single plug out on my install, nor did I have to remove or touch anything else to get them to slide in.
You need the right tools. I know where you're coming from, it was my first project. Once I had the gear wrenches, deep sockets, extensions that f'n pivot, extensions that f'n pivot in 2 directions, etc, it was a snap. You are gonna have to try combos of all those to get the fit right.
I used PB Blaster too, so it wasn't as much of a bitch when I did get to the bolts.
I used PB Blaster too, so it wasn't as much of a bitch when I did get to the bolts.
I dont remember all the specifics of pulling off stock manifolds, but now to take the headers off it only takes a few minutes to remove the bolts with a 10mm gear wrench. I usually have the coil packs and even the valve covers removed just to get them out of the way. To pull the back plugs, use a 3/4 gear wrench over the end of the spark plug socket, its nice and low profile.
I just did mine yesterday, started at 7am and finished at 5 pm...you need a half inch drive socket to get some torque on those bolts with some extensions and a universal socket adapter, the passenger side bolts just broke when i put some muscle into it.
i used no special tools to do my install. 4 hours.
just get a couple extensions and break the bolts that hold your cat to the manifold. i used a pipe for leverage on the end of my 1/2 drive wratchet. once the cats are out of the way it is easy.
remove cats and coil packs - the job is a breeze from there.
just get a couple extensions and break the bolts that hold your cat to the manifold. i used a pipe for leverage on the end of my 1/2 drive wratchet. once the cats are out of the way it is easy.
remove cats and coil packs - the job is a breeze from there.
as allready stated if you still have the coil packs on remove them,it makes it alot easier and when i put my coil packs back on i only put the front 2 or 3 bolts back in for easy removal the next time.
With the air pump tubes off the car I can fit a 3/8 drive air ratchet in there with a swivel socket and take the bolts out. A 3/8 air ratchet is huge. If I cam fit that in there you should be able to do it with hand tools.
Have you tried just using a 10mm wrench?
Have you tried just using a 10mm wrench?
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Findlay, Ohio
yeah i got the gear wrench and no i haven't taken off the coil packs(didn't think i needed to and looked complitacted)it does hurt my hand when i try to push on the damn manifold bolts(i got gloves)to gett'em lose.....so u guys trying to tell me if i take the coil packs off i can get to the back bolts or do i still need to go under teh car?