So, with my usual brilliance while trying to pull the stock exhaust system to install a setup similar to Bill's, I broke one of the studs on the driver's manifold where it connects to the crossover (first pic). Looking at it though, I halfway wonder if breaking it wasn't almost a good thing as it's a BAD shape, and I would be unsurprised if I would have had a lot of trouble trying to use it for the new setup.
However, this means that regardless of exactly what I do (leaning heavily toward going all-in and getting Hervey's headers/exhaust setup, though I could just replace that one manifold- if the other side comes apart more easily) at least that manifold has to be replaced. Looking at the nuts/studs on both sides, I'd be unsurprised if they had ever been taken off- both the nuts and the studs look to be in pretty bad shape. I had already changed out of my shop clothes when I went out with the camera so the angles aren't the most ideal, but I took a few pictures.
I'm generally too far to reasonably take the car in to any of the shops that specialize in D's (closest one is about 100 miles away), but there is an exhaust place nearby that I could get the car to in the state it's in (well, the state its exhaust is in... I'd have to put the fascias back on and the seats back in :P). I'm wondering what the consensus is from those who have done this kind of thing before is on whether I'd probably be better tackling it myself, or letting the pros handle it.
I'm generally pretty fearless when it comes to doing things on the cars, but with this if I break a stud it would potentially mean having to pull the engine to replace it. Granted, a shop might have the same problem- but I'd hope they'd have the experience to not have that happen...
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