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The plan was to finish the exhaust side of the installation, but discovered that 7 bolts to mount the manifold to the engine were missing. I checked the packing slip, and they didn't show on there either. I figured I would just use the OEM bolts, but there is a clearance issue where you cannot thread the bolt onto the the third stud from the firewall - probably why SOS was to supply different bolt. With that said, I will email SOS to have them send me the bolts.
From there, I loosely mounting the manifold so I can mount the downpipe.
And let me tell you, access to the bolts is a nightmare! More details in the pictures below. Basically I had to throw a Hail Marry at tightening these bolts. They are just difficult to get to. Three out of the five bolts I was able to get a socket with the torque wrench on it. The install manual calls for 30ftlbs, but I set the wrench at 33ftlbs because of having to use a 1' extension and wobble adapter to get to the bolt.
Install of the down pipe is straight forward following the install manual.
New parts! Hoses to and from the oil cooler, block drain plug, and exhaust bolt. These didn't show on the packing list, and weren't anywhere within the kit. The OEM mounting bolts have clearance issues. Third bolt from the firewall cannot be threaded on. Once you secure the engine mount in the previous step, you can only pull the manifold a few millimeters away from the cylinder head. I'd rather wait and get the bolts from SOS than undo what I have already done. Drain plug in place of the block heater that originally was on there. Torqued to 61ftlbs. Oil drain AN-8 adapter fitting, torqued to 150lb/in. OEM Manifold support bracket does not work with the SOS manifold. Upstream O2 sensor installed, torqued 33ftlbs The two bolt holes to the left of the stud, you will need to get from the top in the engine bay. I was able to get to these three bolts using a 1' 3/8 extension, and wobble adapter. Torque to 33ftlbs Test pipe and connection of the o2 sensors will finish it. Test pipe and connection of the o2 sensors will finish it.
I reached out to SOS about the missing nuts to mount the exhaust manifold... and they responded, but nothing about the missing nuts.
They just informed me how to make clearance so I could re-use the OEM nuts. Not a big deal, but if you're going to spend $6k on a kit, it better have all the nuts and bolts!
Anyways, life goes on.. Here are some pics of the progress I made.
These bolts never made it into the kit. They are reference twice following the installation manual. OEM Nuts tq to 23lbsft The infamous and expensive HondaBond. Only needed to install the 1/8NPT AN-3 fitting. HondaBonded 1/8NPT AN-3 oil feed fitting in place. HondaBond says it needs three days for it to cure thoroughly. OEM Oil Cooler installed. Tq 54lbsft 20 year old coolant line being replaced. Front coolant line installed. Oil relocate adapter in place, tq 16lbsft with Loctite thread locker. Oil feed line in place. Will need to revisit on how to run this line. The line is a tad short, and it will bind from other angles to the fitting.
This is correct, it's a fairly cheap Ford part, however, I believe SoS sources out the fitting needed to just make it work. I had to pick up one of these for filter fitment as well. On the plus side, it uses a bigger filter.
