Morning all, first post, first work I've done on the S2K since I bought it and already run into problems!

Trying to remove the stock exhaust but the nuts are properly seized on tight. I just spoke to a garage to see if they could have a look and they reckon the bolts will snap. Not a big deal, but of course because the bolts are part of the CAT its going to be expensive.

Can anyone recommend, share from experience what I should do?

Thanks

 

Use a liberal amount of WD40 or rust blaster. Then use a torch to heat up the bolts. then use a impact wrench.

 

Tools I don't have unfortunately, I've figured the worst case scenario is to angle grind the nuts off, drill the bolts out on the CAT and then replace with stainless steel nuts and bolts.

 

Heating it with a torch is your only option. Anything else and you will either snap the studs off or just round off the nuts.

 

This is very solid advice. Doing all of the above will hopefully get the job done.

If you're a plebeian (like me) and don't have access to an impact wrench, try using a breaker bar Those bolts around the CAT on our stock systems can get crazy seized on over time; the problem that your facing isn't uncommon at all.

I thought I was going to have to snap my bolts when I was installing my Berk exhaust.

 

This happened to me on my s2000, but it was only 1 bolt that was seized on. All I did was just snapped the bolt, then I removed the whole CAT and vised griped it and pound out the broken stud, then I used a nut and bolt in place of it. The studs in the CAT are like the wheel/hub stud, so easy to remove(at least mine was). You can either snap the bolts off or cut them off.

Hope this helps you and save you the expense

 

Thanks for all the advice, I'll give it a go with a breaker bar. Failing that I will just get the bolts out with force and then put some stainless bolts in.

Picked up a JapSpeed exhaust for cheap and I'm not sure what its going to sound like so might be going back to standard shortly after!

 

I cut/remove the two bolts with the spring to remove the exhaust (quick and easy) then you have complete access to the 3 Cat Bolt/Nuts.

I would just angle grind and press out the old cut up bolts and replace...

 

I banged at mine and sprayed it down with all the liquids I can find for 2 days. Eventually ended up driving it to my dads place and using his impact gun with a compressor (he works on his 18 wheeler) and it finally tore it right off. (by that I mean unscrewed the bolts, not ripped everything apart)

 

I had more problems getting the bolts off the reinforcement bar that runs under the exhaust.

Got those off with Gibbs + Impact though.