Hi guys,


I require some assistance regarding the difficulty and the involvement/effort required to replace the OEM (non JDM EGR/Anti-lag) Exhaust manifold with an aftermarket Tubular stock frame manifold.


I am aware and have read the 'Sticky - Exhaust Mani - How To' but wonder if some of the steps could be avoided.


(Step 3: Take off all bolts that connects the manifold to the block total of 9 bolts! there are 2 on the side, 4 on top, 3 on the bottom. The bottom bolts is kind of hard to see you will need a extension on the right one!

Take of the 4 nuts thats connected the manifold to the turbo!)



for e.g after removing the x9 'nuts' at the cylinder Head & 4 bolts to the turbo (At the turbo, it appears to be x2 bolts facing down on the inner side and x2 nuts on studs on the outer side towards the radiator)




Can the following steps be avoided?:

(Step 4: Jack up the car



Step 5: Take off the lower arm bar + down pipe

Step 5.1: For stock lower arm bars, there are 4 bolts that is connects the 2 bars to the body, just un-bolt those and take off the lower arm bar.

Step 5.2: For DP, there are 2 bolts that is connected to the cat, take those off. There are 2 bolts that is connected to the 02 housing, take those off! Theres also 2 bolts thats holding the dp on the hangers! take those off.)


I believe this one would be necessary:

(Step 6: there is a L shape bracket that is that is holding the 02 housing > turbo > manifold, you just need to take off the bolt that is connected to the body. )


The reason I am asking is that, my regular custom fabricator/exhaust shop is extremely busy and recently when I called him, he sounded very unhelpful and disinterested ( I assume its due to a high work load).
I'm contemplating on whether Its easy enough to do this myself, so I seek your experiences and advice prior to any attempts


To be painfully honest, I am not keen on jacking the car up, removing the undertray (These Laile Beatrush undertrays are a real pain to take off without any quick release fixings), undoing downpipes and/or catalytic converters. (sometimes exhaust gaskets are ruined/rendered useless when disturbed)


Would there be enough play to slide the manifold out by available play just by removing the 9 nuts to the head and the nuts + bolts on the turbo??? (would flexing the entire exhaust cause damage?)


The only restriction I can see are the vertical turbo studs on the outer side towards the radiator on the turbo which are pretty tall.


If not possible, then Ill definitely reconsider doing this myself and may wait for the professional fabricator to get it done with his hoist etc.

T
hanks in advance.

 

from personal experience, the minimum you could probably get away with is unbolting the l bracket on the dump pipe. even that provides minimum flex so it takes a bit of working to get the manifold off...

 

I thought I'd Just place an update, luckily I didn't attempt it myself.

At the fabricators workshop, the stud on the turbo snapped and caused me a bit of stress. Nearly required a new turbo upgrade which all would've costed a total of $8,000+\-. Fortunately a mobile thread retriever got it out for him.