Test pipes install, fail. Opinions and advice please!
 

So this past weekend I installed my new ark grip v2 exhaust. I have to say it was a simple install with not much hassle. I'm paring the exhaust with some cnt resonated test pipes. I thought I might as well get them done while installing my exhaust.

I've read a lot of threads from past experiences with the dreaded bolt that is inaccessible under the car. I went through the intake, through the engine bay to by pass the bolt (what people have done). The bolt did not budge at all. We tried so hard that we ended up striping the bolt. I even had the bolts sprayed with penetrating oil the night before and still no go. I didn't try to attempt the other side.

Now my question is, what are my options? Somehow get a grinder in there and cut the bolt? I don't want to damage my headers and cats, I want to be able to switch the cats come smog time.

Any help with this much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Bigger breaker bar,
Or if you can heat the crap out of the bolt with a blowtorch (not sure if operating temp is high enough) to almost red hot, then splash some water on it

If you do the second way, the bolt will come out with 0 problems

make sure when going after super tight bolts like that, to use 6 point sockets (no 12 point!), and if it fits, a strong impact socket even if not using an impact gun.

If you stripped it with a 12 point, you can usually pound on a 6 point socket. It will have some less bite than an undamaged bolt though.

Whatever you do... dont make it worse!

I agree! When i rounded my bolt, it was because i used a 12 point socket... A 6 point is a must! You literally have 100% surface contact, and makes rounding the bolt almost impossible.

Now what you need to do is get something like this
Irwin Bolt-Grip Extractors/Expanders — 5-Pc. Set | Multi-Drive Specialty Sets| Northern Tool + Equipment

I just did a fast search online, there are much better products out there, but you get the idea. Use that to remove the damaged bolt. A lot of people strip this bolt because the only deep socket in their set is 12 point. Remember to use a 6 point socket!

Let us know how it goes! Good luck!

That tool that you posted is what I had to use to fix an exhaust shops mistake. I took it somewhere to get my HFC's installed and they told me they couldnt get it and didn't want to break it. Me and a few friends tackled it a few days later and sure enough they rounded a bolt. With that tool, we were able to get break it off.

That one worked good for you? I had a set that looked a bit more aggressive, and it was still a task getting the bolt. Mind you it was not on a car though, and was a bit bigger than the one on the cats

I'm waiting for my F.I. HFC and CBE, one question. Is it possible to remove the cats from underneath the car, or do I have to remove the intake pipes to get the cats out?

You CAN do it from only the bottom, I've swapped them out 3 times now from only the bottom... But I had a lift

Nice, thanks. We'll see how I do...:eekdance:

How did you do it with the lift?? I had a lift and still didn't work for me?? I tried turning the wheel to the left and right but barely even had enough space with my hand. I will look into buying a bolt extractor now. What penetrating oil did you guys use??

There is a certain angle the from the bottom you can get a wrench in their (not a socket wrench)

And I used PB blaster for all of them except the demon bolt, that I used the heat/water technique

I also had a six point socket and still stripped it?

I tell you this, on the demon bolt, I first used a damn 3 foot breaker bar, broke 2 extensions and bent the breaker bar... Didn't come loose...

Then, GOD BLESS Jorge (at the ghetto *** muffler shop I went to) brought his acetylene torch and poked a hole in a 7-up bottle filled with water...
He heated up the bolt to red, have it a sec, sprayed water with the 7-up bottle, it obviously fizzled and steamed, then he kept spraying until it got cold to the touch, and I bullshít you not, undid the bolt with his hand...
From that day on, I learned...

Can somebody post pics of that demon bolt? I'm having second thoughts about doing this my self :icon14:

Well god bless Jorge I need to take my ish to him haha.

Kabestro, I've only seen problems with older z's 09's and 10's. new z's like the 13' should be easier they haven't had time to really seize.