i was told that the old y-pipe bolt need to be cut off and the new y-pipe will not match up with the stock holes.. i have the budget y-pipe for a 2001 se 5-speed and i was lookin for some feedback on this matter...as well as some instructions....thanx

 

I did my y with a set of ramps and a few hand tools. The pipe should line up, if not it is not made well and should be returned. You do not need to cut anything off unless your stock y has a ton of rust.

All you need is a ratched, some sockets and extensions, and an open end wrench for the o2 sensor (22MM I think)

Start by unbolting the Cat, then you will have to un bolt the pipe at the front and rear manifolds. The pipe may be hard to get out but it will come out (some people had to losen up the front precat to get the old pipe off) Tighten it up and remember to use gaskets.

good luck

 

If the stock bolts are very rusted then your screwed. I paid to get mine installed. I could of done it myself, but didn't feel like wasting my time on the rust. The mechanic had to blow torch the bolts off because he couldn't unscrew them.

 

same with me and since i'm stick the engine torque is a lot and now under a lot of torque the engine hits the cross member not happy here..

 

LOL i just did mine.... the bolts.... Rusted completely on there... I went to autozone and bought some liquid wrench type stuff called PB i think. If u go in a auto parts store and say u need the strongest stuff ( I went to pep boys) they'll know what the specific stuff is. Sprayed it on there for 30 mins and off the bolts came. I coudlnt not get these suckers off until I sprayed it. Be careful u dont have any plastic cups around. I used one to keep my bolts in, and this stuff will eat through it in a heartbeat.

These are the tools I used. I also had federal spec exhaust. the cali spec is a little different.
I had a breaker bar (I actually just torqued the torque bar to 150 ft/lbs and used that as a breaker bar) and to it I added a 1 foot extension and also a 14mm (i think its 14mm) socket. The front is easy. The back i had to actually use a 60-90 degree adapter to reach some of them (3 or 4 bolts). But putting the y- pipe on, u'll only need the 60-90 adapter once (Fed spec). You'll see when u put it on. If you have any questions, let me know