I stripped 1 bolt and snapped another in half. Don't worry it happens to all of us. As long as only the bolts are damaged and not the cats themselves then you're in good shape.

Ahh.... the old "bolt from hell" story. Many have noticed your pain. Not many have had to go to the extreme you did, though.

As stated earlier were you using an impact socket?

i just installed mine a couple of weeks ago and had the same problem. if you look at the bolt from the other side (not through the engine bay) you will notice that u can fit a star bit on it. just use a star bit socket set and get it out from underneath the car instead of through the engine bay. since your threads are stripped it will take a while but trust me it will come out, and once u get it out u will have to take a drill bit to smooth out the threads because the bolts that they send you will not thread back into the manifold. also on mine right before i got the bolts out they got really tight and didnt seem to want to go any further but keep going cause thats when youre almost there.

I was using craftsman 6 point deep and shallow sockets... No impact sockets were used...

I never knew there was a star bit behind the top bolt. That is great information. Is it easy to access? Would you know what star bit size I would need?

My threads aren't stripped only the bolt is...

Thanks for the info

its a lot easier to access than through the engine bay and sorry i cant remember what size it was. if u have a set just try them all haha

Ended up trying to break the bolt by over-tightening it... Stripped the bolt some more...

Seems like the only way to remove it now is to cut the top head bolt somehow...

Any suggestions?

you have to get access to do that, see my pic for the easiest way. lol

lol.. I want to have the option to put it back to stock in the future...

you still havnt got those pipes in yet? haha i would just take it to a shop if youre having that much trouble.

waiting for my F.I. Res TP + F.I. CBE to get here, I'm due at the end of the month, but i'm praying that I don't get "the bolt from hell" its demoralizing!!!

going to buy some art pipes soon. I think Im going to start soaking the bolts now lol.

A good impact socket really does make a big difference. It will fit better and not flex as much so you shouldn't strip it.

it would still probly strip it since u have to have 2 feet of extensions on the top bolt. i dont think i would trust one on that.