liv2soar

I'm trying to remove the stock exhaust manifold and catalytic converter. The bolts that connect the exhaust manifold to the exhaust pipe (about 12 inches upstream of the catalytic converter) are difficult to reach. They are a 9/16 bolt that is about 3 inches long. The frame and other components make it difficult to reach up to.

Has anyone removed this before? If so, how did you get it off?

lt4obsesses

The only one that I've had major trouble with is one bolt on the passenger side to the manifold. The bolt is directly above the motor mount brace. Depending on how rusted in place it is, you may be able to get it with a sturdy swivel, or you can just take that brace off. It's just one piece that bolts to the frame and the cross member and is the supprt for the engine mount.

One of my favorite things about these cars is the amount of disassembly required to get to the actual part you need to.It's quite comical sometimes.

WVZR-1

You need to soak them down well with a penetrating fluid of some sort and you do need to be patient. On a '93 they're metric I believe and you need to be sure and use 6 point sockets (flank drive) if you have them. I would think that they're either M15 if they're OE or possibly M13. The later '94+ I believe are M13. If your 9/16 spins go to M13, if it doesn't fit go to the M15.

96GS#007

Nope, no one has ever taken them off before. 21 years after the LT1 was introduced, we're still waiting for the first success story

Theoretically speaking...since it's never been done...extensions, a deep-well socket, and a universal or two works wonders for snaking things around where they need to go. It's also been theorized that removing the manifold/cat as an assembly from below works wonders. Of course having the oil filter removed on the driver's side and the starter removed on the passenger side helps with clearance. Again, just theoretically.

pkincy

Been there and done that but years ago. I don't think there was anything I got from above. It is really nice to have a lift.

I do recall that the real problem is a passenger side bolt as described above. Wish I could remember exactly how I got to it but it happened.

lt4obsesses

There's more than a few bolts on these cars that their story ends like that.

carlosj

there are 4 nuts not bolts, 15mm. You can get to them with an extension and deepwell socket. Don`t forget to unhook the oxygen sensor first.

STL94LT1

I cut the bracket off with a sawzall........before installing long tube headers.