Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ATS Exhaust Manifold

[pharlacher]

I just put on an ATS exhaust manifold yesterday and found it to be very difficult. I assembled it on the bench by freezing the two ends and heating the center piece. I used the old manifold for alignment. I had one hell of a time with the alignment of the center four bolts. The allen head screws were so badly designed that I couldn't get an allen wrench on them. I know that there is probably a wrench out there that will get in there, but why use an allen head? How do you torque them? The directions state you can leave the turbo on which is pure bull..... It was a whole day job and it got dark at the end so I have to go back out today and fix a few things. i also did not like the idea of having to drill out the threads in the turbo charger.



I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can help me with.



The water hose bracket is now hooked to nothing and there is no way that the bracket they sent will work. It is jammed against the manifold. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what did you do to fix it?



I used lock tight on all the bolts. Can I still retorque them?



It was very well made but I really think the design could have been better.

 

[Tcolesanti]

I bent my water hose bracket a bit to use the supplied bracket they give you. It worked out, does'nt rub or anything. Its good you used lock tite on the bolts, I cut down an allen key to fit it in the center bolts to tighten them. A full sized allen won't fit/it will rub on the manifold. On the bottom bolts I used a rachet and an allen socket.

If you need some help just pm me or something, your only a half hour away.

 

[Stamey]

When I installed mine, upside down (twins), I used all of the factory bolts I could, which was all hole except the 2 in the middle, on the bottom. This was because of what I have heard about the bolts working themselves loose because of heat expansion. I have also heard of those who have never had a problem with bolts getting loose. I don't know, but I played it safe. I used a universal allen wrench or one on a ratchet, on the 2 I had to use. I don't remember having any problem.

The brack did not apply since my twins did away with the bracket a while ago.



Chris

 

[OTRPU]

My ATS header bolts worked out several times, finally crossdrilled the puppies and safety wired um. Haven't come out since.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[pharlacher]

Thanks for all the help. I took a screwdriver and bent the water hose bracket up. I only used two of the allen head screws also. On the top two center ones. Thanks for the offer of help EO2 but I am actualy outside of Atlanta at a trailer park.



I will keep checking the bolts and when I get the chance I will retorque and lockwire them.



If I had to do it again I think I would have went stock. I got 150,000 out of the first one.



However, I have noticed I am running quite a bit cooler EGTs. I think it might be where I placed the probe. In the stock manifold it was closer to the exhaust port in the head. In the ATS I placed it on the flat right next to the outlet to the turbo.



Paul