Removing exhaust manifold
 

Basically, how do?

I'm trying to install a header onto my 87 and therefore obviously need to get the manifold off, but my book is telling me that to get the 4 goddamn bolts off i need to take tons of shit off, such as the port actuators. Is this really necessary? I'm sitting here looking at my car and don't even know where to start, I've already got the Oxygen Sensor off as well as the bottom part of the heat shield but that's it. I didn't really think it would be this hard just to get a damn header on, something i can do on 90% of the cars I've worked on in about 20 minutes...

removing the port actuators(10mm nutsx2..and tap,tap,they come right off) will allow you to get at the Top manifold bolts.Nice and clean.
That manifold weighs about 25 pounds..lol..it is cast.
you can take the precats off too,they won't be necessary when you put the header on.

soak them bolts in some wd40 or any penetrating oils i tried to get my cat off of the exhaust manifold yesterday and had to take it to a machine shop. turned out i stripped it the last time i put it on. and you need to take off theair intake then the egr valve then the acuators and taking off the air pump makes it easier but isnt neccessary. it about a 30 minute job if your on it like a bonnet. youll probably wanna take your time so you dont jack stuff up.

also be careful when taking off the egr valve it has a little wheel inside that will fall out the rounded side goes toward the engine flate side in the egr valve. and the acuators have gaskets that are brittle might soak them lightly before taking them off so they dont crack and break, Im not sure if you can use a gasket maker on them but i dont see why not.

Yeah, you'll have to clear a few things out to take the manifold off. The small bolts for the heat shields may just snap off too. Grab some liquid wrench or PB blaster if WD-40 doesn't cut it.

I'd recommend picking up replacement gaskets for the actuators and the ACV. I think the ones for the actuators were like $6 when I bought some 4-5 years ago.

That'd be the ACV. The EGR is on top of the center iron on an S4 NA. The round thing you mentioned is the check valve for the port air passageway.

I actually already got it off and have the header all bolted down, sounds mean as all hell. So I guess this thread isn't really needed anymore, thanks for all your help though! Now I just need something to record it with that won't cut out...

did u end up doing it without removing everything?

I just removed the actuators and got to the bolts pretty easily.

noticible power gain?

I'd say so. That brick of a manifold is just crap

I'd rather revive an old thread than make a new one. Especially since this thread kinda answers some questions I had already, but I have another question or two. I'm new to mechanical work but I am tech savvy and know my way around.

So my question is: Do you have to remove the throttle body and intake manifolds as well as the actuators?

You should be able to get to all of it with only removing the actuators, lr less if you have a camera.

Cool, got it off. Although I had to bend the end of the top heat shield. Now I might as well wait and just get headers. I was planning on just replacing the manifold gasket, but now I have no heat shield. Lol.