I have a custom made exhaust with a hood exit dumb. I am getting a lot of exhaust flow out of the dump at idle and wanted to pull the downpipe off the turbo and check the gasket, or turbo wastegate for cracks. The problem is they used a socket head bolt and the clearance between it and the dump pipe is real tight and I cant fit anything in there to get that upper bolt off. I tried cutting down a Allen key to fit with no success, and my buddy said I may just need to pull the manifold off and cut the head of the bolt off with a sawzall. Any suggestions on how to get it off before I resort to cutting? There has to be a way if they got it on there.

 

That's interesting. Looks like you won't even be able to get a bolt back in there. Almost like they bolted the flange to the turbo, then made the dump tube without thinking about getting the bolt out.

 

i agree... thats would it looks like to me also.

 

So essentially I'm screwed?
I was thinking of using a stud when I get it out.

 

You will need to take a grinder to the bolt and hope you can get the rest out later. Drilling out bolts is no fun. When you go to install it, you can try putting a stud on the turbo side then using a nut to tighten it down. You may be able to get a wrench in there and may get it tight enough. Whomever put that thing together didn't plan very well.
Honestly, I'd pull the turbo out of the car, cut the dump tube off, then remove everything and trash it.
I'm trying to figure out how in hell they did that.

 

yep... thats what id do.
pull turbo off and either go back with a stock one or put one on that works.

 

1.) Make sure you have the EXACT correct allen key for that sucker
2.) use penetrating oil at the base of the socket head. Spray/soak every 2 hrs for 8 hrs straight
2.) CUT a piece off of the allen key so that it seats FULLY into the socket head and sticking out enough to get a wrench on it
3.) wrench that puppy off

Good luck!

 

Edit NM

 

dude... that looks like less than 1/4" between that bolt head and the pipe.
it dont matter how short you cut that allen key off, it aint going in.

lol

 

Not sure. Hard to tell. I have done this trick before with success with extremely tight clearance. The piece of allen-key doesn't have to stick out much at all.
If you have a better idea, please do tell.

 

You should be able to insert a ball end allen key in that bolt head, but I'm not sure if it will be strong enough to break it loose.

 

yea.. just pull the whole turbo.
cut that pipe off, and then unbolt it.

then put back on a stock or some other dump that works.

but,... maybe your right.. maybe you can get a wrench to it.. hard to tell from just pics.