HFC's install
 

Hey guys,

I got the Kinetix HFC's for my G coupe and im about to do this install myself. Now ive been getting mixed information about how much slack ill need coming down from inside the hood to the bolts on the cats. One person said 30 inchs while another only said ~20. I have 18.5 inchs of extention and a 14mm head that im going to use. Is this enough to reach in there? Or will I need more?

If anyone knows how much of an extention I need I would appreciate it along with any other information you guys got about this whole process.

After searching I couldnt find a DIY or a write up on this so maybe while im going along ill snap some pictures and throw a write up on the forum.

Thanks again in advance

this will save your life. it saved mine. plus liquid wrench. took me 2 hours to complete the install.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=31203

tools arnt really my probably I just needa know how far I need to go down to get there.

Bump. Anyone?

I just worked completely from underneath the car to install/remove mine

I'd say better safe than sorry...go for 30" and get a swivel socket if you can.

Here's a headsup when installing your HFC's, make sure you use the OEM
gaskets they're far superior to aftermarket pieces supplied with most cats.
You don't want to be doing this install twice....:NOOO:
Gary

So I got another ext piece and im up to 24 inchs but im not sure if thats gonna make it but I think I can make it work.

I looked around trying to get OEM gaskets but no one has them for sale and kept telling me to go to the stealership for them. I was gonna use the same gaskets already on the OEM cats. I have less than 28k miles so I think it should be fine to use them?

So while I was installing these I took off the bottom bolts went for the top bolts and got 1 off before I ended up breaking the tool bit while I was coming from inside the engine bay. :mad:

Looks like im going to have to get something to clean the rust off the bolts and try it again.

Go at it from under the car. I couldn't get anything off going down through the engine bay. I used air tools - I had an air ratchet and an impact gun. Done in 1.5 hours. Also get yourself an O2 sensor removal socket. Saved me a tonne of time. They are like 5 bucks and worth every penny.

I wish I had a air ratchet and a impact gun.

Where can I pick up the O2 sensor removal socket?

My gaskets look pretty dirty is it gonna be ok to use them?

So I just WD40'd the sh!t outta the bolts and im gonna reattempt this after work.

I bought new header-HFC gaskets simply because I had to order some stuff anyway but mine were 5 years old. When I took them off they actually looked okay. Your call, if you live close to a dealer and they have them in stock it might be worth the $15 bucks or so to get new ones otherwise I wouldn't sweat it. The Berk install docs say to reuse them since they are metallic. I would get new exhaust gaskets - the ones between the rear of the cat and the Y-pipe. Those should be replaced. Mine were rusted pretty bad. And use the OEM ones from the dealer. They are way better. The ones from the Berk HFC cats I have are already starting to leak.

WD-40 is useless for this sort of stuff. It probablly didn't do anything at all. You need PB Blaster

http://www.ezgrip.net/pblasterb.jpg

Or I like

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.gif

WD-40 is water based, it simply isn't good for exhaust bolts.

Spray this stuff liberally and wait 30 minutes. Give the bolts a couple of easy bangs with a hammer to free up the rust. Then spray it again and repeat the cycle until it comes free. The last thing you want to do is break off the bolt that is welded on the exhaust manifold.

Just do it from underneath the car. Just easier for me that way.

And you can just use a crescent wrench to remove the O2 sensor!