does anybody have a thread / pictorial thread on how to successfully remove the studs in the downpipe while the downpipe is still on the car. what is the best method (double nut it?). I don't have a torch or a welder.
I am removing the studs to put bolts in to replace the studs and hook up my new sfr testpipe.

 

My downpipe is currently out of the car, soaking in penetrating oil... I broke 2 studs, 1 pulled out with the nut...

 

Good luck Dillon,
after breaking one bolting up the exhaust, I did lots of soaking, tried to remove it on the car and broke it again. I then pulled the turbo / downpipe, then on the workbench I still couldn't get them out, all I managed to do was break the stud remover and then break the broken one a third time. lol. They seemed soft as butter. So much worse than any bolt I have seen on the car.
Feedback was that all three came out very easily with a torch at the shop, charged me an hr.
I reckon you would have to be lucky to be able to get all three out with the downpipe on, and a very good chance that you will break one.
Its easier to get them out with a torch if they havn't been broken off flush too ..
good luck

 

Soak them in PB Blaster/ penetrating oil for the week prior to doing any work on them. They came out but they did need a little persuasion. When you put them back in use copious quantities of never seize.

 

If you can get PB Blaster on top, make sure you soak if from top and bottom. They are not the worse studs to break, if one does. Since the holes go all the way through, drilling them out isn't that bad if necessary. And if you should botch the threads drilling, they can be helicoiled. The best tool is either the snap-on collet stud remover or tack a nut on with a mig welder. Not that I would re-use those studs, but the nice thing about the snap-on remover is that it preserves the threads (and is bar none the best stud remver out there).