H-Pipe Install

[El Horsepower]

I ask a lot of stupid questions here but I am trying to learn how to work on cars, I don't know anybody to get advice from. I got a really cheap set of jeg's off road H-Pipes for my 95 GT. I got the bolts that connect the stock h-pipe to the muffler off easily enough, but now I am stuck on the header to h-pipe bolts. It is just such an awkward position! Does anybody have experience on doing this? I appreciate all the help I can get!

 

[95Vert]

If you got your catback off, the mid pipe should be the same. Four nuts and you're done with it. Just make sure you have space to get a good angle to loosen.

 

[El Horsepower]

If you got your catback off, the mid pipe should be the same. Four nuts and you're done with it. Just make sure you have space to get a good angle to loosen.

I can see the bolts, its getting to them thats the problem. I don't really see any good way to approach it. I just want to know how other people have gotten to the bolts. From the engine bay? Underneath? Did you have to remove something?

 

[95Vert]

You serious huh? Have you tried jacking up the car?

 

[HGFireHazard]

Maybe an extension and a swivel?

I didn't install my long tubes so I never saw the bolt position of the stock manifolds, but they can't be THAT difficult to get to.

 

[El Horsepower]

I am sorry for asking such stupid questions, I am 17 and nobody I know has any idea how to work on cars. I am still learning how to do everything. The car is jacked up, hood is up and everything. I just can't seem to find a good angle to get at the bolts holding it to the header. Once again, I hate asking such stupid questions but i have to start somewhere. I can't afford to send it to the shop so I have to do it myself.

 

[HGFireHazard]

Don't let anyone here deter you from doing your own wrenching.

To some of us these are really basic questions because we've torn into some more extensive parts of the car, and others of us change our exhaust like our underwear... or girlfriends.

Like I just said above, try using a swivel and any number/length of extensions it takes to reach and get a good angle.

 

[95Vert]

If you don't have the right tools for the job, you won't be able to do it. Do what HG said.

 

[5.0beast]

hey man, if worse comes to worse un-bolt your headers from the heads, and they should drop the few inches you will need to use an extension and a swivel, i had to do that to my car. and dont forget that if you are running CATS dont remove the smog pump!!! you will burn up the CATS real quick, pm me if you have any other questions.

 

[El Horsepower]

Don't let anyone here deter you from doing your own wrenching.

To some of us these are really basic questions because we've torn into some more extensive parts of the car, and others of us change our exhaust like our underwear... or girlfriends.

Like I just said above, try using a swivel and any number/length of extensions it takes to reach and get a good angle.

Alright I will get a swivel wrench and give it another go. Thanks for the advice!

 

[95opal]

You need 12" extension and it will make the job a piece of cake. Without it you will be miserable. Having the right tools is half the battle. That said get yourself a set of metric sockets deep and regular along with a set of metric wrenchs and you should be able to tackle most of the common upgrades. good luck

 

[El Horsepower]

You need 12" extension and it will make the job a piece of cake. Without it you will be miserable. Having the right tools is half the battle. That said get yourself a set of metric sockets deep and regular along with a set of metric wrenchs and you should be able to tackle most of the common upgrades. good luck

Thank you!

 

[95Vert]

Good luck man. And take it from me, doing your own stuff is so much better than taking it to someone.

 

[S351Saleen77]

Like was said before. Go from below with a long extension. You will need a swivel joint on the extension then a Long socket to get the right angle on a couple of them.

First spray them with a "Break Free" penetrant to loosen the nuts up. It's nice to spray and let it work overnight if possible.

Good Luck!!

 

[sn-95matt5-0]

i just did this to my 94 gt. is your car aode or manual. mines aode and it was a piece of cake with a 12' extension. and i started spraying mine down with PB blaster every night after work for about a week before i finally got time to put it up on the ramps.

the big thing is take your time, think about what needs to be done and find a way to do it. tools are a big part in the easy factor and a helping hand to help hold stuff never hurts either.

have fun and if you start to get frustrated get you a coke and check the forums for alittle bit. sometimes it helps me to walk away for a couple of minutes.

good luck and you'll love the sound. my car sounds completely different and i can really feel a difference after i changed my h-pipe.

 

[Black95GTS]

If this is your first time, don't forget to take out the 02 sensors first, they have a 22mm bolt. Be very careful with these as they are delicate and expensive.

Even with the 12 inch extension its going to be a pain. This is a 13 year old car. Spray the bolts like was mentioned above and I take a small hammer and give each bolt a couple solid whacks straight on the top of the bolt head to help break them loose.

Exhaust work is my least favorite.

Adam

 

[stprorolla49]

PB Blaster is your friend! It's a penetrating oil you can get at any auto parts store for $4, and it works wonders on exhaust jobs. Just soak them every day for like 3 days, and the bolts should come right out.

I used a 12" extension, a swivel, and a breaker bar with a pipe over the end for extra leverage...a pipe is one of the best tools I have for bitch jobs like this. My family calls the pipe "THE PERSUADER"

I've had my h-pipe out probably 5 times, so it's cake for me now. After a few times you'll be able to get it out in less than 30 min. Good luck buddy!

 

[Zero Signal]

Like everyone has said . . . Mucho extensions, I end up stringing a bunch together. I hate using swivels so I just make a super long extension to get way up there. If you don't have a breaker bar, the pipe on the ratchet works but you can break the ratchet that way (which I've done). And use tons of PB blaster. Spray it all over the nuts and let it sit overnight and try again in the morning.

I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but it would do you good to get a wire brush to clean the threads and maybe a tap to clean the threads on the nuts. Being able to spin the nuts on with your fingers make installation and removal a cinch after the first time.

 

[El Horsepower]

Thanks alot for the help everyone! I am going to grab some pb blaster when I get the extensions. Black95 mentioned O2 sensors, I already uncoupled two connectors that attach to the pipe. One was near the headers and the other was right around the h-connection. Are there any others I missed?

 

[94-302-vert]

I have a 1/2" drive swivel head ratchet that is 14 or 18" long.... That is what I use for cases like this.

I also say the pentrant, also I use a torch a lot on my car to heat things up (propane or Mapp gas)... Get one with the trigger... What I do a lot is heat up the nut bolt a bit and cool it with the pentrating oil. This gets into the joint and loostens it pretty well most times...

For my car though I ended up with 3' of leverage in addition to bringing out the big guns to break the bolts... Then I drilled them out to accept bolts... If you have to break the studs just buy headers at the same time...