How in the world do you get a torque wrench to fit in there?

 

Here is what you can do

 

Attached these to the torque wrench. Available for a modest price of $10 from Harbor Freight... be sure to get their coupons in the mail, and use your 20% coupon for extra savings - PITTSBURGH 3/8 In. SAE Crowfoot Wrench Set

 

I am not sure that the torque applied to the bolt will be identical to the torque shown by the torque wrench with these tools, as it offsets the axis of the bolt from the axis of the torque wrench by maybe 1in ...

 

Tight is tight gentlemen....

 

Thanks fellas, this did prompt me to do some research, and found you can use the crow's foot, but you have to torque from 90 degrees. Here is a decent YouTube video on it.

 

Turbo and manifold are now in place.
The job is time consuming, but not overly difficult, and you will need to follow the SOS instructions very closely.

A suggestion I will make, is to drain the oil, then remove the VTEC solenoid, the TCT, and the oil cooler all at the same time. This way you can clean up the area of oil and coolant before installing the manifold/turbo. The SOS manual has you remove the oil cooler, which will dump coolant, just a step before installing the turbo/manifold. The center bolt to remove the oil cooler is a 30mm socket.

Also, if you have an engine block heater, like I do, that will not work with this turbo setup and have to be removed. The OEM block heater is used in the engine coolant drain plug, I have to purchase the drain plug before I can torque down the manifold (more info in the pictures).

Here are some pictures with some descriptions. Next step is to install the down pipe and test pipe.


You will want to remove the VTEC, TCT, and oiler cooler all at the time time. It is a 30mm socket to remove the center bolt from the oil cooler. Expect cool to gush out, and oil to seep out.

Battery out.

Will get that battery tray cleaned up.

Battery tray and black heat shield removed.

Manifold heat shield removed

Bumper removed. Bumper support will also need to be removed to mount intercooler and then put back on.

QuickJack making it easier to remove manifold and catalytic convert.

Converter coming off first. Typically this is a test pipe, but needed to go on for NYS emissions.

Easily removed.

The studs were easy to access to removed bolts that hold on the manifold.

There is a bottom support bracket that needs to be removed before the manifold will drop down, and by drop down, I mean fall on your face - be ready.

Draining the oil. It would be a good idea to let it drain over night. The manual says the threads need to be cleared of oil and completely dry before installing the oil return adapter into the drain plug. It seeped oil for a few hours after the initial dump.

Time to remove the VTEC, TCT, and oil cooler.

Remove the top mount bolt per the install manual.

It isn't mentioned in the manual, but I did remove the two lower mount bolts. This made it easier to work with the SOS engine mount install.

I made a mistake here, and torqued down the four bolts to the engine block. You only need to finger tight those to torque the on engine mount bolt to 40ftlbs. You then removed those four bolts and don't install them till after the turbo/manifold sits on the studs.

Place the heat shield on, then a washer and bolt provide in the fit will hold it down. Torqued to 40ftlbs.

I had an engine block heater that came with the car when I purchased it. This will not allow the turbo to sit properly and needed to come out. If you have this, you will want to replace the drain plug. OEM Honda Part 90001-PM3-003.

You'll want to lay a shop clothe down to protect valve cover from getting bumped. Then follow the instructions to install the manifold.

Prior to installing, you need to jack up your engine for clearance to install the turbo/manifold, you need to press it all the way to the cowl.

Once installed, you do not torque the manifold on. You will need that small bit of room to install the four mounting bolts, as well as install the down pipe.

 

Nice writeup so far! Loving the details.

 

Awesome, please keep the details coming! I want to do a similar kit within the next year.

 

The pictures and details are great, thank you!