90 stock manifold- remove now or wait

[Corvette95]

How hard is it to remove the stock 90 manifolds and converters? I have room to do it now, but have ten current projects going on. I have the brake booster, and heater box out with all fender wells. I can access the bolts now, but if they are accessible later without too much additional hassle, I would like to put the project off. I was going to have stock one's JET COATED. Aftermarket headers possibly, but due to being closed down for the virus, money needs to be conserved , so aftermarket headers and exhaust aren't in the budget now.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Corvette95

How hard is it to remove the stock 90 manifolds and converters? I have room to do it now, but have ten current projects going on. I have the brake booster, and heater box out with all fender wells. I can access the bolts now, but if they are accessible later without too much additional hassle, I would like to put the project off. I was going to have stock one's JET COATED. Aftermarket headers possibly, but due to being closed down for the virus, money needs to be conserved , so aftermarket headers and exhaust aren't in the budget now.

As I recall, getting the heat shields off was the BUGABOO, far as removing the stock 90 manifolds/cats. Once they were off, it went very quickly - both unbolting the stock manifolds AND installing the headers. (IIRC, several of the sheet metal screws were rust-welded. I made good use of a small air-driven die grinder to get in there and grind off the tiny 7mm(?) screw heads.)

As for powder coating, IMO there is very little that can be seen of the headers as they're barely visible between the edge of the cam cover and the frame rail. So, scratch esthetic value.

And, as for heat, I've had my SW headers on for 10 years (about) and I've never been troubled with heat: don't notice it at all, in fact. AC works fine when needed (glass top on Ami's Z).

I initially intended to powder coat the headers, but postponed doing so to get the car on the road for a road trip. Postponed forever, now. There was no issue with the any felt heat (what heat??), and being stainless, they don't rust - I saw/see no point in powder coating them.

But...YMMV, as they say!

[32valvZ]

Originally Posted by Corvette95

How hard is it to remove the stock 90 manifolds and converters? I have room to do it now, but have ten current projects going on. I have the brake booster, and heater box out with all fender wells. I can access the bolts now, but if they are accessible later without too much additional hassle, I would like to put the project off. I was going to have stock one's JET COATED. Aftermarket headers possibly, but due to being closed down for the virus, money needs to be conserved , so aftermarket headers and exhaust aren't in the budget now.

If you have any kind of a lift, removing the stock manifolds really isnt too tough. I have dont the job on 2 ZR-1s now, but both times on my Kwik Lift...That said, with all the parts you have out of the way right now, yea, it would be a great time and easier to do them...

I wouldnt waste my money on coating the stock manifolds myself....

[Corvette95]

I have it up on jack stands that are 23 inches tall, I used to have lifts (3) in my custom garage at my old house, I moved, no lifts right now, maybe in the future- I sure miss them. So there are only 6 bolts and one nut on each manifold side with some holes missing - from factory- no bolts? My forte is electrical, and driveability, hards parts removal and internal engine is not my best attribute. That is why South Georgia did all my prior engine work. My swollen hands and aching back is screaming leave the manifolds alone but I will look at them in a few. Thanks!

Originally Posted by 32valvZ

If you have any kind of a lift, removing the stock manifolds really isnt too tough. I have dont the job on 2 ZR-1s now, but both times on my Kwik Lift...That said, with all the parts you have out of the way right now, yea, it would be a great time and easier to do them...

I wouldnt waste my money on coating the stock manifolds myself....

[Ccmano]

For all the reasons you list, if your even considering headers in the future, now is the time to do them. A third of the work is already done. As was said the hard part is getting the old manifolds off. While your in there check the engine mounts, every car I have ever looked at has had at least one cracked engine mount. And yes, the factory did not put bolts in all the holes.
H