I got my hfcs today. I tried to install them with a friend on ramps and we failed big time. We could not get any bolts off using wd40 and a wrench with a breaker bar or an impact gun. Help! Also should I use the gaskets that come with them or the oem ones? Thanks

 

bump.. anyone?

 

I used liquid wrench a couple days prior to taking them off to let it soak. I also used about 28 inches of extensions, a universal joint, and a 2 foot breaker bar and they came off. I was able to get 4 out of the 6 bolts off from the engine bay. A little hint I backed my car up on ramps and used two jacks to get the front up in the air. Gave me double the room under the car. I bought all new oem gaskets cuz i wanted to avoid problems.

 

I also heard from a mechanic that from 07 up putting on HFCs is a nightmare compared to 03 to 06 models.

 

Something much better than WD-40, like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench, and let em soak a few hours or overnight is best. Long extensions and swivels for the top bolts through the engine bay, 1/2" 6 pt sockets and a long 14mm quality box wrench - lot's of force but be careful not to strip the bolt heads.
It's a beetch.. and needs lots of patience. You want to be sure you get those bolts back on to the torque spec which was almost as much fun as getting them out

Hard to believe the '07+ are any harder because it would be a nightmare to have to do my '04 over again.

As for the header to cat gaskets I reused the stock metal but if you can easily get new I'd suggest that as the best. The gaskets that come with the Berks didn't look right to me but many others have said they were fine.

 

Thanks.. i picked up some pb blaster today from the hardware store and Im going to try it again on Sunday.. this time with 4 ramps instead of 2. Do you know if its safe to use pb blaster on the O2 sensors as well? they are rusted on too.. I think I have to get more extensions.. I only have 4

 

yeah I think im going to use OEM in both places.. the graphite does not seem rite..

 

The mechanic said that one of the studs that is on the 03 to 06 was replaced with a bolt on the 07. So when you go to take it off it just strips out causing more headaches so becarful. He said it is $100 to install HFCs on 03 to 06 and on an 07 its a $100 an hour cuz it takes so much longer. GL

 

Hey LMG 35C i was thinking about getting the XYZ pipe did you see any noticeable gians from it?

 

hard to tell from the XYZ alone because I replaced the HFC at the same time...I'd say the combination was noticeable but when i added an Osiris stock tune it was much more responsive but nothing crazy.
The combination gave it a really deep tone without being any louder, until you really get on it. (i'm still running stock muffler and mid)

 

yea you can use pb blaster on the sensors but they are fragile so go easy. i used a small amount of anti-sieze on the O2 sensor threads and cat bolts in case i found myslef having to swap em out for emissions.

 

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