I have a dual cat lt1 and I'm in the middle of a header install. I started with trying to unbolt the Y pipe..... not gonna happen. I skipped ahead to the passenger side manifold bolts.... got all them out without too much drama.... can I drop the manifolds w/o detatching the Y pipe? Far as I can tell the Y pipe doesn't need to come out, except that it would just make plug removal easier. So, can I go ahead and unbolt the drivers side and drop the whole system, or do i really need to unbolt that Y pipe? Thanks.

 

As far as I remember when I recently did my header install, it's possible to drop the manifolds with the y pipe still attached. I wanted to make it easier on myself, so I detatched the y just the make things smaller and easier to deal with.

The y pipe bolts were pretty much welded on with my car, but since I wasn't going to be using it again I just muscled them enough that the bolts themselves sheared off. You could get some PB blaster and blast the bolts, while that doesn't do as much if it isn't allowed to soak, it could provide the needed lube to get those suckers off.

 

Get some PB blaster and drop the Y. You'll make it a hell of a lot easier on yourself. The time you spend pulling the Y pipe will be less than the time you spend trying to work around it to get your manifolds out. I'm assuming you're going with shorties if you're not pulling the Y pipe right?

 

I PB blasted the hell out of those bolts...several diffferent times (and days apart) They're pretty much fused on. Maybe I'll try an impact wrench.

 

pacesetter long tubes.

 

Cut it off with with a reciprocating saw then. (Sawzall)

 

Thats how I hacked off most of the old y-pipe and catback.

 

Ha ha... The saw is laying right next to my socket set, ready for action. Unfortunately I got one bolt stuck pretty bad on the drivers side manifold... God only knows how I'm gonna get it out.