Such thing as a quick o2 housing install?

[dr1ftx3]

Hey guys I'm going to be putting in my o2 housing this weekend because AMS told me it was going to cost $324 dollars for them to put it in....... Anyway, I just wanted to know what the fastest way to intsall it would be, and how necesarry is it for the turbo and manifold to come off? My dad thinks we could do it without taking the turbo off but I said we probably will, so whats the deal guys?

 

[andymoraitis]

You'll need to drop the downpipe and also disconnect the oil feed and return lines. Prior to unbolting the turbo from the manifold, get the motor warm and liverally spray PB Blaster on the turbo bolts so that they don't snap during the removal process. If you can start soaking them a few days in advance with Blaster, that would be even better.

To answer your question, yes the turbo needs to come off as there's not enough room to get to the O2 housing bolts and studs properly, however the manifold can stay on. It would also be wise to get new crush washers for your drain lines and possibly new gaskets for the manifold to turbo, turbo to O2 and O2 to downpipe, especially if you're stepping up in size.

Good luck, be patient and take your time. It's really not that hard to do.

Andy

 

[awdrst]

Spray all the bolts with pb blaster the night before. Other than that just make sure you have both long and short well sockets, a universal, and some extentions. I've taken a ton of housings off without removing the turbo. Watch out for the lowest bolt its a pita to get to but can be done.

 

[dsmsucks]

You dont have to remove the turbo just to install the o2 housing!! Its going to be a Pita to get to the bolts. You need the right extensions!!!

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

I know you wiseman are right ALOT, but I didnt have to take my turbo off to get it on the studs. Mabye it just depends on the brand O2 housing you get.

 

[andymoraitis]

I did for mine and it was a Punishment O2 on a 50 trim. There was almost NO room back there. For the original poster, try it, but if it doesn't work, the turbo needs to come off. If it does work, then I stand corrected.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[Raph]

i put mine on a bigger turbo without any problems... a bolt extractor would be good to have (put in a new stud while your oin there)

 

[ericbev]

If you can get off a stock O2 housing without removing the turbo or manifold, you truly are a ninja.

 

[Eastwood95]

If you can get off a stock O2 housing without removing the turbo or manifold, you truly are a ninja.

It can be done, its not impossible, but its easier to take the turbo off to get to the o2 bolts...

 

[Woodsy0]

I will, too, attest that I removed and installed the stock o2 housing without removing the turbo. However, that was not without breaking my first 1/4" socket wrench trying to loosen the last o2 housing nut (I believe it was a nut, not a bolt) that was stuck on there with the force of God (I was using a small diameter pipe over the socket wrench handle for more leverage...turned out to be too much leverage for the knock-off socket wrench). I also needed to drain the coolant and loosen the coolant hard line that runs right next to the area you work in so I could wiggle it out the way a bit; even with the smallest socket I could find, I would still hit the line. And after doing that, I had to arrange the perfect length of adapters and extensions on my fresh 1/4" socket wrench to have just the right amount of length to access the nut while still being able to turn the wrench to loosen it.

But...it definitely can be done (if the housing in question is stock, at least), and I'm no ninja...But rather a twenty-something dolt with hands like feet and no martial arts experience.

 

[dr1ftx3]

Well i'm going to be taking off a stock o2 and putting on an evo3, and if it makes any difference, the turbo and o2 housing were just put on again because I got my new turbo/exhaust mani about a month ago. Will this still require me to use PB blaster on the nuts/bolts? Thanks for the responses, i'm going to attempt to do this with the turbo on, and if it doesn't work then i'll go with andy's way.

 

[ericbev]

Well i'm going to be taking off a stock o2 and putting on an evo3, and if it makes any difference, the turbo and o2 housing were just put on again because I got my new turbo/exhaust mani about a month ago. Will this still require me to use PB blaster on the nuts/bolts? Thanks for the responses, i'm going to attempt to do this with the turbo on, and if it doesn't work then i'll go with andy's way.

Just for future reference, the angle of the EVO3 O2 housing flange causes 95% of downpipes to rub on the x-fercase. I had to modifiy mine to get it right and in hindsight, I should have just ported my 2G and called it a day, especially with my turbo upgrade plans.

Oh, and to any of you who plan on or end up removing your exhaust manifold, make sure you order new studs. They are almost never reuseable and will save you a large headache.

 

[Woodsy0]

It's never a bad idea to use PB Blaster. Also - when you have the o2 housing off, coat the bolt and stud threads with a good bit of anti-seize...When the o2 housing has to come off again in the future (and it will, for whatever reason), it makes your job a bit easier.

 

[diablos991]

Make sure that it is high tempurature copper anti-seize.

 

[dr1ftx3]

So if my o2 housing doesn't sit flush with my DP then what did you guys use to even things out?

 

[ericbev]

I put my DP in a bender and gave it a little "tweak". But like I said before, If you aerent afraid of doing some porting, Ebay that EVO3 and port your current housing. Its alot easier and will produce esentially the same result. I wish I would have gone that way from the begining, but thats just my .02.

 

[Black91TSiAWD]

If you can get off a stock O2 housing without removing the turbo or manifold, you truly are a ninja.

Just did that two dayds ago on my new 90


Its not that hard really, much easier than dropping the turbo and mani. Youre just gonna get some cuts and bruises.

 

[andymoraitis]

Just did that two dayds ago on my new 90


Its not that hard really, much easier than dropping the turbo and mani. Youre just gonna get some cuts and bruises.

Oh hell, then it should be a normal day at the office. I mean when do we NOT get cuts and bruises?!

 

[ericbev]

Just did that two dayds ago on my new 90


Its not that hard really, much easier than dropping the turbo and mani. Youre just gonna get some cuts and bruises.

Maybe its just my big stupid hands.

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

Removing the o2 with the turbo on the car is really scary. Its pretty dark down there. Tools that fall down there never return.

 

[dr1ftx3]

Are there any sealants I should put between the gasket and the housing or anything or do I just bolt everything right up?

 

[Spooling99]

Be sure to get new gaskets and I'm sure a little copper spray wouldn't hurt.
-Adam

 

[Raph]

If you can get off a stock O2 housing without removing the turbo or manifold, you truly are a ninja.

ninjas are overrated, the right tools,and good mechanix gloves and your good to go .

 

[1glaserturbo]

This is what I found easiest when removing my o2 housing. If and only if you've removed the stud in which nobody likes, I'd recommend removing the two downpipe nuts, unplugging the o2 sensor, and then pull the hotside of the turbo off then removing the 3 bolts and nut holding the o2 housing off That's just a little easier for me

 

[siceclipse]

thats a really good idea!!