m6ttop

iTrader: (18)

when i used to smoke i'd take a cig break, then try again.a clear head is all you need

pooogy

ok, it looks like the only thing that is giving me headaches now is the egr/air. I don't have a dremel, and trying to cut it with a hacksaw is hard.

I got the alternator off, and now am trying to get the dipstick tube out. One thing I have read is that you have to take the starter off. As shocking as it maybe, I do not know what a starter looks like or where it is.

IronOutlaw

iTrader: (4)

look under the passenger side of the car. the starter is a long round looking thing with wires on the end of it. it will be facing toward the front of the car and is hooked on the front of the transmission. two bolts hold it in and be careful with the wires cause u dont want to break the cylinoid (i cant spell).

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

Soleniod..I got ya.

pooogy

It seems like the dipstick is hitting some ac lines. Is there a special technique to getting it out?

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I never had that problem..

pooogy

Hmm, maybe it isn't the ac lines... It sorta looks like the AIR tubes. Do I just have to keep wiggling/pulling until the dipstick comes out?

LT1

iTrader: (1)

Lot more room to get the dipstick tube out if you remove the starter first. (at least for me it was i did it from underneath)

Remove the bolt that holds down the dipstick tube before you start pulling it, the dipstick tube will take some effort try wiggle and twist while you slide it out, dont bend if possible.

m6ttop

iTrader: (18)

i didnt take my starter out

infinitebird

iTrader: (11)

almost. lol

pooogy

If I can't get the dipstick out, is it possible to sorta bend it when putting the headers in?

LM97Z

iTrader: (4)

Its best to take it out, on mine, i wiggled & wiggled & it wouldn't come all the way out, from under the car, take a small hammer & long screw driver & tap it out, there is a lip on the tube that mates on the block, thats what you tap on, Oh, it does help to take the starter out, gives you alot more room to see whats going on.

black_sunshine

any info on steering? mine keeps hitting where it connects to the steering column shaft on the lower knuckle by the upper u-joint. not the rag joint ears.

pooogy

Got the Dipstick out and passenger side manifold removed. My secret to getting the dipstick out: Vice grips and twisting. Forget the wiggling. Took the starter off, put a pair of vice grips on the tube, and twisted it out. That should have been obvious to me, seeing as that is how you get a trumpet mouthpiece out of the horn (same concept). I'm not sure if I bent it or not though...

My goal for tomorrow is to get all the sparkplugs/gaskets/o2 extensions/vaccum caps/blockoff plate. I have to work tomorrow and probally won't get home till around 8:00.

Do they sell o2 extensions at the discount auto stores? What about block off plates?

blk97z28

iTrader: (3)

OP GO TO MY THREAD it is everything that you need to know any more. They were a PITA man for me I did DS header from bottom and PS header from top(jacked up the PS motor a tad and it slide right in man!!!)

https://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/783145-my-new-exhaust-dyno-numbers.html

blk97z28

iTrader: (3)

You may need to sand on that bolt a bit I can get new pics by this weekend I am painting my welding/griding spots from my SFCS install yesterday.

pooogy

Ok. For the EGR block off plates, could I weld the plates that were on the EGR shut and reuse them? Should I just bust the egr valve to peices to get to the plate?

O2 extensions: I think I'm just going to cut and solder the wires. Should be something slow, tedious, and calming. How much should I extend by? Any tricks to getting the o2 sensors out?

Should I put the o2 sensors in the headers before I install or after?

Also, spark plug recommendation for a 96 a4 trans am with lt's, ram air, and catback exhaust?

IronOutlaw

iTrader: (4)

put the o2 sensors in after you install the headers so you dont bust them on something trying to get the header in.

pooogy

What do I do about the alternator bracket that was attached to one of the manifold bolts? Do I resuse one of the bolts with threads on the end, or do I just leave the bracket off?

IronOutlaw

iTrader: (4)

i think i had an extra hole in front of the header flange that i used. seems like i just reused the stock bolt if im not mistaken. i dont think you should leave the bracket off.