Installing a catalytic converter and cat-back, whenever they get here. Have zero tools, some I'm just wondering what all I'll need. I know I'll need a ratchet and probably a couple extensions, anyone know exact bolt sizes? Any tips/tricks?
1990 Integra LS, if it matters.
TIA

 

Well, technically since your car is older, your exhaust might have been worked on in the past. In that case, some exhaust bolts/cat bolts might have standard size measurements.

To keep it safe, try to get yourself a basic ratchet/socket set. Do you plan on ever doing work on your car in the future? Sears always has good Craftsman deals. You can get 300+ piece kits for $200 or less sometimes. If you don't want to spent that much, you can try getting a generic toolset from either Sears, or any autoparts/hardware store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc).

If you want to spend even less, the basics you'll need are a 3/8th inch ratchet with two sets of extensions. One long, and one short. Then get a set of metric/standard sockets. This is the barebones needed because in some cases, you might need deep sockets, depending on what bolts you have/who worked on it before/what was replaced in the past.

EDIT: Some WD-40 spray might help you too. It makes the system slide onto the hangars a lot easier. Some bolts might have rusted out and the WD-40 might help get into the threads. If not, some penetrating liquid such as PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench might help.

 

Like Shamoo said, it's always possible that you will need some standard sizes if someone else did anything to the exhaust (like put an aftermarket stock replacement system on), but odds are you will need:

A breaker bar (1/2 inch)
a 1/2 inch to 3/8 adapter
a basic socket set (that should include a 12mm and 14mm socket)
a couple of combination wrenches (12 and 14) - open on one side, closed end on the other
hairspray
deep creep/pb blaster (I despise WD40)

Since you are dealing with a 90 LS, you don't have to worry about taking the o2 out of the cat, because it is located on the header, which works to your advantage.

1) night before, spray down the spring bolts and all exhaust flange bolts with lubricant (deep creep or pb blaster)

2) put the front of the car on jack stands

3) loosen the front spring bolts - that attach the cat to the header (you will need to hold the bolt in place while you loosen the nut (12mm) on the other side. This is where the closed end wrench comes in handy. You probably need a breaker bar, if it's not working, use the handle from your jack as a pipe to get leverage.

4) Before you remove all of the bolts from the cat/header flange, you might want to loosen everything else. Like the rear muffler section bolts (you might want to put the car on jackstands from the passenger side now). You won't be able to loosen the middle cat to exhaust flange bolts because they are triangular and it's tough to wedge your breaker bar to get at the top one. This is no big deal since you are going to remove the cat as well.

5) Use hairspray and a little bit of wiggling to get all the hooks out of the rubber hangers. Hairspray works better than lubricant, and it leaves no greasy residue (dries in like 20 seconds, and smells better)

6) reverse process, again using hairspray to make the rubber hangers go on easier. I also like to spray down my bolts with lubricant when they are off of the car, clean out the threads and make things go back together easily. Torque everything down to around 30-40 ft/lbs, if you don't have a tq wrench, just make sure it's nice and tight, but don't break any bolts. You might want to tighten it up again after a week or so, to make sure no bolts are loose after the new exhaust and cat are more broken in. ALSO - REMEMBER TO REUSE THE DONUT GASKET BETWEEN THE CAT AND THE EXHAUST OR YOU WILL HAVE A LEAK! The exhaust you buy should have a gasket for the rear muffler section, but if not, just grab whatever is on the stock system.

Since you're in Arcadia, hit up Harbor Freight on Rosemead and Foothill, just North of the 210. You can get some cheap, decent tools there that will do the job.

 

Cool, thanks for the sizes. Sears is right by Harbor Freight so that's convenient.