I actually just swapped my Manifold! I took the 3 top bolts of trying to get it of i realized there was a few on the buttom as well though ! No matter what you do make sure to tag stuff i thought i could remember everything which i did yet when i was done i had a vacuum leak somewhere. I put mine on without a torque wrench because there was no way on Earth to fit one on. If you can find a way to use one USE IT!! If not get use as much muscle as you can. The position your arm will be in is just plain and simple weird, be careful with your wrist you might just sprain it. ^_^ I am sure the bolts are a 12mm or 14mm one of the two. Also make sure the gasket does not overlap on to the intake port it might restrict air flow.

Without a torque wrench is fine, ive never used one on the intake or exhaust manifold (except turbo bolts) and ive never had a leak..

Just use good ol common sense on how much to tighten them

I agree the intake dosen't take much torque. I use a 1/4" rachet w/ my middle & index finger to masure tightness. consentrate more on even torque. tight on one side or the easyer bolts to get at, and lose on others or harder bolts to get at can cause leaks or even crack things

I have never used a torque wrench on mine. I work from the center out when tightning it down. I first put all bolts in finger tight then i start from the center out bottom and top.

I don't think it is needed either just make sure that you tighten from the middle of the manifold out to get it all bolted down evenly

the main thing you will need is tough knuckles, and flexible arms, because it is a task to get to the lower intake manifold bolts. just like every one else said tighten from the middle out or you will risk warping the manifold,or having a major leak. good luck

If it were me Iwould use a torque wrench. You can pickup one from sears for a few dollars. It's a lot cheaper than repairing studs that you have pulled out.

Just pull the motor. It's only 2 radiator hoses, 2 heater hoses, a wiring harness, 5 motor mounts, shift and clutch linkage, 2 axles, and unbolting the AC compressor and power steering pump away...

...or you could evenly torque it in the engine bay until you know every bolt is flush.

...but I'd pull the motor. That's just what I do.

I have never used a torque wrench on any IM. As long as you use common sense and even adjustments you'll be fine.

Shawn I thought you said you replaced that before you went up to Nebraska? How was the trip?

The only thing I have ever used a tourqe wrench on is head bolts. I have never been able to get a socket on the lower intake bolts.

the torque specs on the intake mani are not the high so you can deffinatly get it tight enough with a regular wrench. besure not to over tighten them to much though, dont want to strip anything. i would use one if you can get access for 1 to fit.but if you dont have one already it wouldnt buy 1 specifically for this

yes. i had to remove and reinstall to fix some issues.

I've never used a torque wrench on the intake or exhaust I jet go till it feels tight enough never had a problem once, if I did get a leak I would tighten it up a little but never had to do that so far

I seriously doubt you will be able to get a torque wrench in there to tighten those bolts. Its ok just dont go ape s**t on them and you will be fine. There is 2 different nut sizes the majority of them I believe are 12's as stated before, the two end bolts are 14's.

mikej84 said:

i think i would be better not to use one on it you dont want it to tight to where you crack a stud ouch!!!!!

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if u set your torque wrench to the correct torque setting, which i dont know what it is off the top of my head, you wont crack a stud. thats the purpose of the torque wrench, so you dont overtighten fasteners.

iv never used a torque wrench and never had a problem. iv taken my intake off 3 times never used one!!
dont pull the motor!!!!! its to much work for something so simple... just watch the gasket when putting it on

You'll be okay with out one, just don't over tighten them. Tapping out broken studs is never fun.

Just don't be stupid about it. They call for 10-15ft-lb or something real small like that. Just snug is fine. Go under engine and look up, there will be all 4 lower IM bolts. Don't pull the engine, don't hurt your back twisting to get them, and don't worry about a torque wrench. Just a 12mm wrench and feel.

Get ratcheting wrenches. I wouldn't do an IM on these cars without them. I had none of the problems that everyone else complains about since you can reach the lower drivers side bolts after you pull some extra wiring apart and you can reach the lower passenger bolts from the passenger side once you remove the battery and the throttle body.

^^^ Yep, ratcheting wrenches saved me as well. Sockets only work on so many of the nuts. As for a torque wrench, I used it on the nuts it could reach, the others I just guessed.

Here's a link to a writeup I did on R&Ring the intake manifold, and a little trick or two I figured out while doing mine, too.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...257-tricks-removing-your-intake-manifold.html

A torque wrench islike $12. No big deal. The Laser/Talon 90 Service manual states 11-14 ft/lbs, which isn't much. If you choose to use a torque wrench make sure you know what it is and don't guess or take someones word. Earlier was posted 10-15 ft/lbs, which is pretty close. End Nuts are 22-30 ft/lbs

yeah you can. when you put it on make sure that when its getting snug, just go about 2 more turns. and when you run a hot run. then you'll have to go back and retighten them because they'll get loose again.
be careful on the head studs though. they suck.

inthecease said:

yeah you can. when you put it on make sure that when its getting snug, just go about 2 more turns. and when you run a hot run. then you'll have to go back and retighten them because they'll get loose again.
be careful on the head studs though. they suck.

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Don't do this. DSMs tend to strip, break, and crossthread everything. I would suggest snugging them down then maybe a quarter to half turn then come back and check them in a few days.