whats funny is when me and my buddy got it up on jacks...we got under it and were like...uh....how the hell???....and we had no room to turn to get the bolts loose up towards the engine bay...

 

i'm surprised there aren't more Lolcat images..

good job everyone for keeping on topic!


to the OP: REALLY REALLY REALLY long extension bar going from the top of the engine bay down to the top of the cat, using a pivot joint and the correct socket may work..

 

u can try from the top but im tellin u not needed...u just gotta find the right angles from underneath for the top ones...couple different extensions and a deep 14 and couple different size sockets to play around with and a bar to extend the socket to get more leverage when needed.. good luck, only way to get it done is to get at it, everyones gonna have different ways i guess, but i find it pretty easy now after doing it few times and ive done it from underneath everytime..

 

Buy a 20" extension, a 10" extension, a swivel and breaker bar. Then tell me its not easier from the topside. G/L op

 

dude i can prolly pull off the cats and put them back on both sides in half hour from the bottom with no problems, if the problem occured i would have done it from the top..theres no need..u have a way that works and i have a way that works, i have no need to change the way i do it, tight in certain spots but not a problem, its as easy as changing the oil.

 

both ideas sound good bros....everyone does it different...i'm just glad i'm not the only one who thought at first sight....what the hell?...if i try one and see it's taking forever..i'll switch...can't hurt to try it like that

 

damn guys!...i put the car back up and there is one bolt on the driver side that wouldn't come loose, then a bolt stripped to the exhaust...it's way too much trouble, i guess i'll just go see who can put them in for the best price...
quick question, would a shop have a problem with putting th hfc's in if i have no restrictions in my state...south carolina hasn't checked for cats in about 14 years...

 

did u get a breaker bar and put a little bar on the end for more leverage or anything? ur gonna get raped but oh well...as far as the cats they are 50 state legal and nobody is gonna turn u down for installation

 

Just because they don't check for it doesn't mean it is legal. But it is worth a shot, but don't be surprised if they turn you down.

 

i hate that....yeah i went out and bought some extensions and an elbow and nothing bro...it was just i had the angles but half the bolts wouldn't budge...how much you think they would charge to put them in...what's funny, is it's not even putting them in it's getting the cats off...sucks...

 

If they do it, just depends on how long it takes them x their hr rate. Which is usually $50 and up.

Have you tried soaking the bolts/nuts in PB blaster?

 

The exhaust manifold to catalytic converter has 3 nuts: 2 are on the catalytic converter side. 1 is on the exhaust manifold side. The Japanese like to complicate things.


When you put everything back together I recommend 3 bolts on the exhaust manifold side. 3 nuts on the catalytic converter side.

 

You will have to find a shade tree mechanic willing to risk 5 years jail and $5,000 fine for violating emissions laws.

 

the berk high flow cats are absolutely legal, i dont see what u guys are talking about...test pipes are not

 

id say they will get u for 100 bones

 

from berks site:

Metallic substrate HFC's. Spun catalytic converters, OBDII & 49 state compliant. Full stainless steel construction. Metallic substrate offers higher flow and lighter weight. Uses advanced spiral wound ultra thin foil. Perfect for forced induction use. Click on the "Large View" for a side by side comparison of the metallic substrate vs. standard ceramic substrate. Made in the USA.

 

i just heard that tampering with oem cats are illegal in some states...so sounds like 100 bucks...it sucks but i think my mechanic will do it...

 

oh and mclovin...soaked the $%it out of them with pb&j...lol...still didn't work

 

i finally got them off guys with more spray of pb and went out and got me a bolt grabber made by Remix...thanks for all of the help! the new hfc's sound awesome and can feel the power!!! zweeeeeet!

 

Sweeeeet! Good to hear you got them taken care of man.