how easy is it to change the cat mk2 vtr

[joshg_7]

the cat? Need to change mine tonight, just wondering what it entails really?

[Ryan]

if its a 2001+ model you need to change the manifold.

[cj_99]

is it in the manifold or underneath the car?

[Maxamus]

whole new maifold bud, maybe cheaper to switch to a mk1 setup i got quoted £380 for a new oe manifold+cat. stupid really i dont know why they change the setup!

[Liam_]

The later MK2 manifold is in two pieces, the upper branches and the lower CAT element. With a windy gun and a long extension, you can undo the 4 bolts and remove the CAT element to replace it.

[chris_rolling]

you dont have to get both at all, i replaced mine the other week, but to save the fiddly job, i took the manifold off with the cat unbolted cat, bolted new cat on, and put it all back together. if you had lived closer would have give you a hand! took about an hour. be careful manouvering the manifold and cat past the radiator!!

1- unplug the lambda sensor in the manifold at the green plug thing
2- unscrew the lambda sensor from the bottom of the cat (mite need wd40)
3- unscrew the two bolts attaching the bottom of the cat to the centre pipe (ones with springs) (might also be a bolt attaching cat pipe to gearbox, unscrew)
4- unbolt head shield from manifold (bolts may be very rusty so be carefull and poss use wd40
5- take all the bolts off that connects the manifold to the head. if they come out, then no worries, screw them back in!! (might be worth replacing)
5- get someone to hold the manifold as you take off last few bolts (can fall into radiator)
6- get under the car and SLOWLY drop the manifold/cat out.
7- simply undo bolts from manifold to cat and redo them with the new cat replaced
8- refitting is a reversal of removal, but is best to replace the gaskets
9- when attaching cat to centre pipe, use exhaust paste around male side, attach and tighten bolts, then apply more exhaust paste around the seal DO NOT PUT PASTE ON THE MANIFOLD CAT JOIN!! ruins the cat!
hope thats a basic idea of the job!

[Add91289]

when i got mine done the garage told me there usually right bastards to get off as the bolts are normaly seezed, so they usaly have to heat up the bolts to un-do them.

[chris_rolling]

yer on mine bolts were seized but all that does is unscrews the thread from the head, you can screw them back in, or even better, get a new set! no more seizing :p

[joshg_7]

when i got mine done the garage told me there usually right bastards to get off as the bolts are normaly seezed, so they usaly have to heat up the bolts to un-do them.

how much did it cost you to get it done at a garage?

[joshg_7]

you dont have to get both at all, i replaced mine the other week, but to save the fiddly job, i took the manifold off with the cat unbolted cat, bolted new cat on, and put it all back together. if you had lived closer would have give you a hand! took about an hour. be careful manouvering the manifold and cat past the radiator!!

1- unplug the lambda sensor in the manifold at the green plug thing
2- unscrew the lambda sensor from the bottom of the cat (mite need wd40)
3- unscrew the two bolts attaching the bottom of the cat to the centre pipe (ones with springs) (might also be a bolt attaching cat pipe to gearbox, unscrew)
4- unbolt head shield from manifold (bolts may be very rusty so be carefull and poss use wd40
5- take all the bolts off that connects the manifold to the head. if they come out, then no worries, screw them back in!! (might be worth replacing)
5- get someone to hold the manifold as you take off last few bolts (can fall into radiator)
6- get under the car and SLOWLY drop the manifold/cat out.
7- simply undo bolts from manifold to cat and redo them with the new cat replaced
8- refitting is a reversal of removal, but is best to replace the gaskets
9- when attaching cat to centre pipe, use exhaust paste around male side, attach and tighten bolts, then apply more exhaust paste around the seal DO NOT PUT PASTE ON THE MANIFOLD CAT JOIN!! ruins the cat!
hope thats a basic idea of the job!

cheers pal

[Add91289]

how much did it cost you to get it done at a garage?

only £175 that was with my supersprint put back on properly aswell

[joshg_7]

i just phoned a garage and they said its 40 quid to change cat if i supply it, but surely it will be cheaper if they supply because they get them at trade price?

[chris_rolling]

possibly, but i was quoted 255, 245 and 235 at three seperate places, they wouldnt do it if i suplied though, tbh mate if you are at all mechanically minded, youl be able to do it easy, i took a day out to do this, my quick shift, and a full service. was v sunny, and me and a mate enjoyed a crate of becks, if i was to do it again, would take me 40 mins max, and thats being careful!

[chris_rolling]

woo! hundredth post!!