6th Gen ('00-'05): Wanting to Start Exhaust Mods
It really did not take a ton of tools to swap the front mani and the down pipe. You need the correct size socket (deep wells are best) and wrenches (can't remember which sizes, so have, so have 10mm, 13mm and 15mm on hand), a variety of extensions (and a long one is helpful). A jack and jack stands.
I did the PLOG with the Monte on the ground, the down pipe, I raised the car and set it on blocks, but you could also set it on jack stands. When I releases the bolts holding the down pipe and the rear mani together, I was under the car and I reached those bolts with a socket, ratchet and long extension (this way the handle of the ratchet was down where it had space to turn).
Now, I have see the bolts where the down pipe and Y pipe in the back connect have some issues (on a different W-body, I helped change that gasket). The bolts snapped. As a result, the holes had to be drilled out and replaced with nut and bolt setup.
Also, if I might make a recommendation.... When I did my down pipe and PLOG, I wish I took the time to replace the hardware with stainless (instead I used the old hardware, which at the time seemed fine, who knows how it is today).
And lastly, I did not have to cut anything for any of the exhaust pieces or rear O2 to fit. It all just fit.
I did the PLOG with the Monte on the ground, the down pipe, I raised the car and set it on blocks, but you could also set it on jack stands. When I releases the bolts holding the down pipe and the rear mani together, I was under the car and I reached those bolts with a socket, ratchet and long extension (this way the handle of the ratchet was down where it had space to turn).
Now, I have see the bolts where the down pipe and Y pipe in the back connect have some issues (on a different W-body, I helped change that gasket). The bolts snapped. As a result, the holes had to be drilled out and replaced with nut and bolt setup.
Also, if I might make a recommendation.... When I did my down pipe and PLOG, I wish I took the time to replace the hardware with stainless (instead I used the old hardware, which at the time seemed fine, who knows how it is today).
And lastly, I did not have to cut anything for any of the exhaust pieces or rear O2 to fit. It all just fit.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,605
From: Mentor, Ohio
If I did not mention it, the res delete on mine is the one thing I had a shop tackle. The res has to be cut out and I insisted the pipe be welded in (not clamped in).
As for the bolts snapping.... It can be a fear with ANY job on a car ( had two snap doing a pan drop trans fluid/filter change on the wife's Mustang). If it snaps, you will have to drill it out and possibly re-tap the hole. Once a day, for maybe a week, before you plan to do the job, spray the parts with a penetrating oil (like PB Blaster) when the car is cold and you're not heading out somewhere. The only bolts I was worried about snapping where the front manifold bolts going into the head, but things panned out OK for me.
As for the bolts snapping.... It can be a fear with ANY job on a car ( had two snap doing a pan drop trans fluid/filter change on the wife's Mustang). If it snaps, you will have to drill it out and possibly re-tap the hole. Once a day, for maybe a week, before you plan to do the job, spray the parts with a penetrating oil (like PB Blaster) when the car is cold and you're not heading out somewhere. The only bolts I was worried about snapping where the front manifold bolts going into the head, but things panned out OK for me.
How hard was it to do the plog
Monte Of The Month -- August 2014
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 25,145
From: Southeast PA
It was a piece of cake, I did it at the same time has my HV3 and ER Rockers.
Literally just the bolts that hold the manifold on, the gasket is metal and stays on the engine and gets reused. You just might have to pop the dipstick tube out so the exhaust manifold can come off.
Literally just the bolts that hold the manifold on, the gasket is metal and stays on the engine and gets reused. You just might have to pop the dipstick tube out so the exhaust manifold can come off.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,605
From: Mentor, Ohio
I'll add a word of caution, my PLOG was brand new, straight from ZZP. It had some debris in it and I hit it with the air compressor. I don't think I got it all and I'm willing to blame that on my upstream O2 failing shortly after. Looking back, I would have tried cleaning it a little more, perhaps use a bottle brush.
ok well i got the PLOG in today, i bent the crap outta the dipstick tube but bent it back in place when i was done. i reused the metal gaskets because the ones that came with the plog 1. was not metal and 2. didnt look like the metal one that came off the car but heres how everything turned out :}
