exhaust help

[gearbox]

my O2 sensor is not coming off i took it to a shop they tried to take it off and no luck. i tried 3 days of spraying and wrenching it off. now the F*** thing is rounded off, i was trying to save up for a turbo kit but looks like the car has other ideas. my question what would you do in my shoes? buy a good exhaust system and just keep the car NA or ebay cheap and hope for the best? if you have any leads or ideas let me know.

[nickt93]

What did you spray it with? I've had great results with PB Blaster. You may have better luck if you get the header off the car. If you've never removed it, it's not that difficult. As for the rounding of the head, you can use a file to get some edges back on it, then use an adjustable wrench or vice grips to get it out. Good luck!

As for turbo or NA, my vote goes turbo! However, make sure to plan everything out in advance so you can expect how much it will cost. I was kind of amazed how quickly everything added up - besides the kit, you'll want to plan on a stronger clutch, possibly better cooling (ie bigger radiator), a WB02 for tuning, etc. With more power, you might also want more rubber, so a new set of wheels/tires could be in order.

However, if you want to go the NA route, you could get a header/intake and add a few ponies. I've got a Jackson Racing header and intake that I took off my car - they are brand new. Let me know if you are interested.

[gearbox]

i did use BP blaster heard great things about it but i guess who ever put the O2 senor didnt antisieze it. as for upgrade i have a larger radiator on the car and a stage to clutch ready. next on the list is a WO2 with a MSpnp.

[Doppelgänger]

I had some problems getting the o2 off of Jenn's MSM. The threads were fubar'd and it had never even been off of the car! We finally got a few good tugs on it and got it out, and bought a generic from Autozone for $70.

Are you using one of those o2-specific sockets or claws to get it off or just a plain wrench? If using a wrench, that was your mistake. Go "rent" a o2 sensor removal kit from Autozone.

If you're buying a "good exhaust" it should be sufficent for going turbo. The only place it really matters if you're thinking about staying na is if you buy a header or not. Anything after the header will be fine if you go turbo and you can always upgrade to larger piping pater. I guess what I am saying is get the exhaust that you want and spend the extra $70 and get a new o2 and you'll be fine.

[gearbox]

i used an O2 wrench from autozone thats what stripped it. i do have an after market exhaust on the car now and its loud and deep but its starting rust out a little.

[Doppelgänger]

Such details are helpful when making the initial post :lol:

In that case, IIRC the o2 is kinda close to the flange between the mid-pipe and the header, it might be possible to cut that section of pipe out, weld in a new piece and add a bung and new o2.

Maybe bring it to the tech day on the 31st and get all of that done? (if you do, buy a bung from an exhaust shop and a o2 sensor from where you like). I'll sheck with the shop owner to make sure he'd be up for doing that much "custom" work on a tech-day that's mostly for quick bolt-in projects as there might be a small fee (most likely a donation).

[RotorNutFD3S]

Bung is the word of the day again. :lol:

[mustangtomiata]

Vise grips FTW! no matter how rounded if you have enough room they WILL hang on and get it off.

[MoD_Scotty]

I agree with vice grips. If that doesn't work, dremel it to death. Worst case scenario, dremel it to pieces and pull the remains out, then just replace the O2 sensor. Way cheaper than buying a new exhaust.

[N3v]

I've had success with removing the header, turning the header and attaching the wrench so that the wrench needs to be pushed towards the floor to loosen it, then stomping on the wrench.

[metalman]

Bung is the word of the day again. :lol:

I am calling the wife!! :lol:

As for a stubborn O2 sensor, usually a soaking with penetrating oil (not WD40) and some 'shock therapy' will loosen them.

[matredd]

bung bung bung... sounds like the rev limiter

[simontibbett]

I plugged my bung hole.

[lance]

my O2 sensor is not coming off i took it to a shop they tried to take it off and no luck. i tried 3 days of spraying and wrenching it off. now the F*** thing is rounded off, i was trying to save up for a turbo kit but looks like the car has other ideas. my question what would you do in my shoes? buy a good exhaust system and just keep the car NA or ebay cheap and hope for the best? if you have any leads or ideas let me know.

use a torch and put a little heat to it. Vice grips or pipe wrench if you have room.

[gearbox]

"I agree with vice grips. If that doesn't work, dremel it to death. Worst case scenario, dremel it to pieces and pull the remains out, then just replace the O2 sensor. Way cheaper than buying a new exhaust."

what do you do about the part thats threaded in the BUNG?

"use a torch and put a little heat to it. Vice grips or pipe wrench if you have room."

if i remember doesnt heat cause friction which is the problem in the first place. i have tried running the car hard for 20min and taking it off with no luck.

[mustangtomiata]

you could always just do what i did and run open exhaust, it's a painless death.