In the process of installing my new full exhaust; hit a pretty big bump in the road, though... on the UNinstall.

I can't get the damn h-pipes off. Disconnected all the O2 sensors and unscrewed three of the bolts, but the last one (passenger side, close to the starter) is not only nearly impossible to reach with a ratchet but seems to be on the most. Now, some of the reason why it's so "tight" is because the weight of the entire h-pipe is on that one screw, so I've been holding up the pipes with a jack, b ut still.. Even with an impact wrench on the highest setting the thing didn't budge. It's soaking in liquid wrench overnight as we speak, but does anyone have any suggestions here??

Also, my new h-pipe (JBA) comes in two pieces... they connect at the "H" part. However, I got absolutely no nuts, bolts or fasteners or clamps with the thing (or instructions.. shrug). Should I go and buy a 3" clamp for that area that must connect, or just simply connect them and let the headers/catback hold the h-pipe together?? (I'm thinking I need a clamp..)

 

That seems to be the one that always gets stuck. I dont know why though. Best thing to do is to soak it like you're doing and in the morning hit it with an impact wrench. If it doesnt come off then you may have to just drop that manifold while the H is still attached. We were installing a Pro Chamber on a buddys car and the same one was stuck. We had to put the stock stuff back on and take it to a muffler shop where they couldnt get it off either. So they took a BIG impacu and broke the stud off the header and installed a new one for him.

 

Yeah, I was about to break the bolt, but it was late and I decided to give it one last go around by soaking it in some liquid wrench over night.

Well, I'll try tomorrow.. hopefully it'll work. This whole header thing is gonna be real tough, I can feel it already.. gotta raise the damn engine..[:'(]

If the bolt doesn't come undone, how should I drop the manifold w/ the h still connected? just drop the starter, raise the engine, unbolt the manifold? I'd really rather not break the thing; I'm trying to save all my stock stuff (of course now my stock exhaust has cuts through the pipes.. but nothing a nice weld job can't fix!), but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do..

 

Well... the best way to lift the engine is to take the driveshaft out, hook the lift up to the engine, unbolt the tranny mount and motor mountsand any wiring harnesses such as the O2 sensors. The starter can stay on and you can disconnect it from the box on the driver side of the car to make it easier. Doing it this way you can lift the engine a lot higher... jus be aware of the fact that there are other wiring harnesses that you need to keep an eye out for like the Fuel injector and coin on plug wiring harness.

 

Got the damn thing off finally.. Thanks for the help. Now it's on to removing the old shorties..

Man, I bought these midlengths hoping the install would be easier. If that's true, long tube's must be IMPOSSIBLE [:'(]