I,very just started to remove my exhaust system in order to install TPIS LT, and installing an EDGE 3000 stall TC while I have exhaust down. Anyway, I removed the three flange bolts between exhaust manifold and down pipe, and all hanger bolts etc. i discovered there is a bracket welded on the upper surface of each cat, and then bolted, maybe to tranny, I can't even see what it,s bolted to. Service manual doesn't address this. It just says to unbolt bracket: It seems impossible to remove these, no socket or wrench can even begin to fit in that small space. I may be able to get in there from the top, but it looks really tight.
Any suggestions from those of you who have done this. I did search, but couldn't, find a post addressing this thanks. Gary

 

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Cats

 

Both brackets are bolted to the trans. The top drivers side bolt. you will not be able to remove the bolt. Unless. You drop the tail of the trans for clearance. You can cut the bracket. Then remove later. For lets say. A rear main seal. Very hard to do. But a wrench with only micro turns. Due to limited access. A long specialty ratcheting wrench. Would make this. Much better.

 

Ragtop, Thanks for the laugh.

 

Thanks. I'm going to drop the tranny anyway, I just need to change the sequence of thing a little. Gary

 

I've been busy working and with Christmas. Well, today I went back at it Here's the problem: I can't lower the tranny unless I drop the driveshaft. I can't drop the driveshaft because the exhaust system is in the way and can't can't be removed because there are TWC(cats) braces that attach to the tranny on both sides. I have all other hangers/braces to the exhaust removed. The cat braces are prventing exhaust removal. The TWC brace bolts are totally inaccessable, I've tried every tool known to mankind The service manual is not helpful, it just says to remove TWC brace bolts DUH! And even though my manual is a 1994, the photos are different from my configurtaion. There is no way to get a saw blade in there, either. There must be someone out there that has done this...help. Thanks Gary

 

Don't know how much this might help but if the exhaust and converters are OE it's hung like this image:

http://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.co...rimLevel=25296

 

I can Assure you. The CATS can be removed. Last Month. My Son told me he would do most of the wrenching. HA HA.. I told him NO. It's not a good idea. I will be dropping in my 383 soon.. If Installed my stainless Headers H pipe & Exhaust. On my current Stock LT1 Motor. The PO. installed a Homemade. Res delete. And Cheap Stainless mufflers. It sounded Awful. When I mentioned Droping the Trans tail.. This is a Vette. Not a F-Body.. So yes. You need to remove your Exhaust & C-beam. I mentioned save for let's say a rearmain.. And. Yes you can get to the Top PS trans Bolt and remove. It is extremely hard to reach. I did laydown across the engine. And reach my hand between narrow path.. With a wrench. Turning with Micro increments. The problem is that bolt will NOT clear the body due to the Length of the bolt.. Hence drop the tail. That would drop the Engine angle.. Back to Delete. The PS bracket can be removed fairly easy.. Un-bolting from the trans. The DS as I mentioned CAN be cut!!! I used my recip saw with a good blade. Cut through in Seconds.. I removed the DS. CAT.. I staged my headers. In place. And noticed I needed to cut a little more from the DS. Bracket. To allow the headers to clear. I then completed my setup.. I will be pulling my Stock LT1 & blue tag ZF. Soon. To install my 383, Black tag combo. So. I'm not concerned about the bracket for now. It does help. That i do have Expert experience. If I did not help out. It would not have been completed.

 

Last year I removed the passenger cat by using a Gearwrench half-moon on the bracket bolts on the car. I attached another wrench to the unused end of the half-moon with a nut and bolt I luckily found going through my loose nuts and bolts. Together they were almost shaped like a candy cane and gave me enough leverage to break the bolt loose. I'll try to get a photo later today of the combination.

Since then I bought a set of metric and sae adapters for putting wrenches together. Here's a link -

Haven't used them yet as they are a limited use item but for the price it beats searching through nuts and bolts.

 

Finally got it! Just had to use the right combination of 3/8" ratchet universals and extensions...then one ratchet notch at a time. After, like, 30-45 minutes success. Now on to transmission and torque converter. Gary