Need some help with high flow cat install

[CanBum]

I am gonna put some Kinetix high flow cats on my coupe this weekend and was looking for some help. I know the top bolts are a biatch to get out and it's easier to do it from the top. I know one of the top bolts is supposed to stay in the stock manifold. My question is can you get all of the upper bolts out through the top or do you have to go underneath for any of the upper bolts? I plan on keeping the stock manifolds on there so can I use the stock upper bolts to bolt the high flow cats on the stock manifold? Alot of guys have done it without too much problem, just looking for some insight before I get going. Thanks

[citymunky]

The top nut on the driver's side, is the one you're going to remove using a universal joint http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/082171/082171228995md.jpg and like three 9" extensions http://www.thegrillstoreandmore.com/image/products/thumbs/374034d.jpg. The other 5 nuts you could get from under the car. Also you are going to need 8 new bolts and nuts, (4 for each HFC.) The stock cats have two studs on the top flange and two studs on the bottom flange, instead of of bolts. And they can't be removed. If you have any more questions just ask.



BTW: I don't know what diameter or length of bolt you need. I'll take the HFC's to NAPA and see which Stainless Steel bolts and nuts can bolt them together.

[CanBum]

Thanks for the help. The cats came with bolts so I am ok there. I am gonna start with taking all the bolts off from the top, seems easiest. My jack stands are not all that tall so getting under there really sucks. The bottom bolts are no problem. I put a Y pipe in there a while ago so they're not froze up. Oh one more question. Did you have to buy an O2 sensor removal socket?

[citymunky]

You can't take out all the exhaust manifold to OEM flange nuts from the top, because only one of the three faces up, the other 2 nuts are facing down. I know I didn't buy a O2 sensor removal socket, but I can't remember what I use to get it out. I'm petty sure I used a wrench, but it was so long ago, so I'm not 100% sure on that.