Try removing the downpipe, then u must remove the support bracket that connects from the intake (2 bolts) to the head (1 bolt). If u have your emissions still installed, there will be vaccum lines connected to the support bracket. After doing this, you can get to the bottom bolts, but it's still going to be a pain in the ass.

yea i know pain in the ass is right. Speaking of emmisions, assuming i know someone who can pass me for inspection and emissions, what hoses and other unneccesary stuff can i take off. Thanks.

all of that of coarse is going to be while you are underneath the car. Use some extensions and some swivel adapters on your socket. And a good light to see with

go to www.taboospeedshop.com and check out their tech pages, there is a diagram they have that will show you how to get rid of unecessary lines.

here's the link.

http://www.taboospeedshop.com/emissions.htm

THe magnus install you found was my writeup.

To get to the bottom bolts you will need to use some extensions or just an open ended wrench and struggle with it. I think it took me a total of 30 mins to get the bottom bolts off. Just take the support bracket off first then tackle the bolts on the bottom. They are a PITA but you can get to them if you work at it. I did mine completly from the top side of the car. Getting the manifold off from start to having it appart was about 4 hours of work.

Hope that helps.

pull the battery and battery box out that will allow you to get more of your arm in there, also wear gloves cause you will probably slip and bust your knuckles a couple of times, good luck

The bends of the lower runners make using an extension problematic and frustrating. Soak the bolts down with lots of PB blaster and go have lunch. Once you return the bolts should break free pretty easily.

A 12mm gear wrench works wonders too, it was a while ago, I may have had to used the one with the angled head though. Definitley remove the battery and you should be able to get to them, don't forget the remove the two 14's from the support bracket as well.

I did my intake manifold removal from the top also.

Just finished changing my IM gasket out...did it all from the top.

Little trick to get the bottom bolts off:

Get your ratchet (With 12mm socket of course) under the runners of the manifold, and put the socket on the bolt. Take a medium-sized crescent wrench (Hell, or a big one, if it'll fit) with a hole in the very end of the handle, and put that end between the runners, so that you can get the end of the ratchet into the crescent wrench's hole. Now, all you have to do is move the wrench up & down to turn the bolt (you're gonna have to hold the socket onto the bolt with your other hand, of course)....worked good for me. Since it's pretty much impossible to turn the ratchet with your hand under the manifold.

For the manifold stay/bracket, just reach underneath the manifold (from the left side of it), and you'll feel a metal piece bolted to the very bottom of the manifold. Just feel around for two bolts that are facing down (The head of the bolt is facing the ground, the tip of the threaded part is facing straight up). It'a fairly easy to get a ratchet down there to get the two bolts off.

Viola. No need to even get underneath the car.

I used a wrench and had no problems although my hand hurt afterwards

Im having problems getting to the bottom bolts, I have tried everything and i cant even get the socket on the bolt. Im also stuck trying to get the coil out as well. gotta love DSM's

Holy thread revival . Open end wrench on bottom bolts . 3 bolts on coil I think .

If you are having trouble getting it on the bolts just jackup the car from underneath and use a flashlight almost all the bolts, but two you should be able to see once the bracket is out of the way. It just takes time, but its very possible.

Wont the cross member be in the way?

im having the same trouble :/ got the fuel rail, injectors and all the top bolts off..just i cannot get to the bottom bolts because of the runners are just in the way...am i just being a wuss or is it that hard to get em out? also the coolant line running on the side is in the way and whats holding it in is a small bracket that seems to be going in the transmission.