it might be wrong forum to post this but I am changing my AMS down pipe. I took the bolts off the catalytic converter, and then went under the hood and when i was undoing the bolts next to the exhaust manifold, i found it kinda tough to get to some of the bolts. So i thought i had to take the exhaust manifold off to get to the bolts easier, but now im finding it difficult to get to some of the bolts on the manifold!! Ive been using a swiveling 14mm wrench cuz i saw on a forum that it was what the other guy used.

My questions are...

How do i get to the bolts on the down pipe under the hood? Do i have to take the exhaust manifold off? What is the easiest way to do what im trying to do? Should i take the passenger tire off to get to those bolts? what should i do?? please help me.

 

the downpipe or o2 housing? Two VERY different pieces.

 

Im taking both of them off. So...whats going on is the down pipe that i got has the O2 housing included on it. SO im having problems taking the bolts off the O2 sensor housing. any ideas on how to take the O2 sensor housing off easy?

 

There is a writeup on here about it. Track it down, it has pictures and everything (look in the howto forum).

This is not a project for the faint of heart. You do NOT need to take the exhaust manifold or turbo off (unless you break something).

The first time it took me well over 8 hours to remove and replace the o2 housing.

 

You will want to drench the bots with PB blaster to make sure they come off easy. I took off passenger wheel and jacked up the car. I was able to get leverage on all 5 bolts, but the its took a while. Be patient, look up How To write up, it will really help. I used it also. As Goofy mentioned, this is an intense project. Set aside alteast 8 hours to get it done.

 

When I tried taking mine off, the one bolt on the O2 housing closest to the engine didn't freaking budge at all for the longest time. Then when it did budge, it would loosen for half a turn then get tight again. Frustrated with that crap I just took it to the dealer to take it off for me. Turns out that one bolt is seized in from all the heat from the turbo, so they had to take off my turbo, drill that bolt out, then install my O2 DP. That cost me a VERY pretty penny.... Guess it was a rookie mistake on my part to take it to the dealer to install it, but just a heads up to you.

 

finally got done! it took me 6 days long..