Aftermarket Exhaust Manifold - Thoughts & Recommendations

shdrazba, overlooked your question about the type of antiseize compound to use. Have used the copper stuff for years but when I ran out of that a few years ago switched to the nickel stuff. I have not detected that the nickel stuff is any better.

shdrazba, also, how long is the hose clamp you used? I took a better look at the bottom bolt area of my exhaust manifold and it appear a previous repair simply ripped the whole female threaded plate from the exhaust manifold, so I'm going to have to use your hose clamp repair method.

Finally, for anyone who can answer this, how does the heat shield install: from above (in the engine compartment) or below (from underneath the car)?

From above I've been trying to manipulate the shield for about a half-hour and I can't see how it would drop down over the manifold. There's a firewall heat shield, brackets and a bunch of piping that are preventing maneuvering the manifold shield into place. Am I missing something about dropping the heat shield in from above?

I'm reticent to approach from the bottom as that means removing my catalytic converter protection installation and the cat itself. Not that it is difficult, and if I have to, so be it, but it just makes the project more involved than I planned.

Hi ktemkin,

Thanks for the information, specifically on the anti-seize. As for the hose clamp, in the fully open position (the band just passed through the tensioner screw, it measured 7 inches in diameter). It is a fully stainless steel clamp. I believe I got it either at Lowes or Home Depot. When I am done with this post, I will go and check my stock and post details. I did put a bend in the clamp (in the left side of the picture as it wraps around the heat shield) so it would keep my tensioning screw in the same position as I tightened the clamp.

Welp, after laying under there all day, I was finally able to get the lower heat shield bolt out with an 11 mm nut extractor socket. Then I cut a M8-1.25 X 25 mm long bolt (strength rating 10.9) and used a 3/16 X 1-1/4 stainless steel washer drilled out to 5/16 inch to recompress what is left of the metal grommet. This is what it looks like now. I had to quit because it started raining plus my neck and back are killing me.



I want to thank you for posting the details surrounding the heat shield "grommet" construction. This is what helped me break it free. The outer metal side of the grommet had fused to the bolt so when I tried to turn it I was fighting it plus the drag of the threads. I took a long thin screwdriver and ground the end into a flat point. I laid under there and drove it between the outer metal edge of the grommet and the bolt. Then I used the induction heater and then the nut extractor.

I do not remember who suggested using and induction heater, but without one I would have snapped several bolts for sure.

Thanks again.

Hi ktemkin, pihmpdaddi:

I fitted up my exhaust system kit today, ran into a few issues, and sure could use some help/advice from you both. At the converter entrance/manifold exit, I am using new Honda bolts, springs, and donut. At the resonator inlet, I attempted to use the bolts that came with the kit, but had problems with them and do not like them.



I had issues compressing them enough to get the nuts on and they also are of such a diameter that they do not allow the converter outlet/resonator inlet to float with respect to one another (due to the large diameter as compared to the Honda hardware). Note that the holes are not exactly on center with one another (flanges slightly rotated with respect to one another). So I ended up fitting this joint with an older pair of Honda bolts and springs. I used the cheap nuts from the kit for now, but I want to get some heavy hex flanged nuts from Advance Auto.




Also, it looks like the gasket donut may be too thick. I have not fully drawn up the bolts, but it looks like the springs will be fully compressed by the time I do. So what did you guys do at this joint for fastening hardware? What brand and part number donut did you use? How did yours look when you were done? I used the aftermarket donut that came with the kit, but I do have Beck/Arnley smaller donut 0396682 which I have not tried yet.



Thank you.