I have an 86 IROC 305 TPI, and I just found out that it has an exhaust gasket leak. I wnat to replace the exhaust gaskets, and am wonderin if this is something i should do myself, or let the mechanic handle it. What sort of tools would I need, and would I need a lift or anything. Please give me your opinions.

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1986 Metallic Blue IROC-Z
80k miles, 305 TPI
Mods:
-Edelbrock Hi-Flow baseplate
-Dynomax Cat-back
-gutted MAF
-K&N's
-airfoil
-shiftkit

 

You can do it yourself but if your exhaust is stock you're gonna have fun. If you're gonna take your manifolds off, you might as well put headers on while you're at it.

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1986 Trans AM
355 TPI
4 Wheel Disc Brakes
9 bolt Borg Warner Rear (2.77's....oh joy) :P
6" rods, approx. 9.7:1 Compression, Stock TPI (soon to be ported), 24#/hr LTI injectors (cleaned and flowmatched by Cruizin Performance), Hedman Shorty Headers, 3" exhaust with 80 series flowmaster, SBC 993 heads completely redone and modified for 1.6 RR, 1.52 RR (for now), Comp Cams XE262-14 TPI Cam, Holley AFPR, TPIS airfoil, MSD wires, MSD 6-AL Ignition, Hypertech 53,000 volt coil.

Track times to come.

 

You won't need a lift to do this, but you WILL need patience, penetrating lubricant (I like PB Blaster), and some 9/16" wrenches and socket wrenches, and maybe a breaker bar.

You'll likely also need to move the PEDES valve out of the way which is a pair of 10mm bolts on the AIR pump.

The AIR tubes on the manifolds are what really caused me difficulty. It may be possible to unbolt the manifolds without removing them, but I couldn't.

 

What gaskets are you talking about? I rarely see gaskets w/ exhaust manifolds. If you are talking about the "donut" gaskets at the Y-pipe, you will either need a lift, or enjoy laying on your back w/ the car on jackstands.

If your car does have gaskets on the manifolds, it won't be fun. Especially since you have an '86 which had V-belts. I don't care what people say about swapping to serp belts, It takes 1/3 of the time to change header gaskets on my car w/ the serp belt brackets then the sorry a$$ v-belt brackets.

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If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

1987 Trans Am 305
14.88 @ 92.81

 

GM TECH,

Ive never worked on a factory GM vehicle that didn't have those crappy metal exhaust manifold gaskets.

-- Joe

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1989 Formula 350 4-bolt mains, Forged .030 TRW pistons, SLP 51010 Roller Cam, Comp-cams roller lifters,
Summit 1.5 roller rockers, World Products Sportsman II 2.02/1.60 heads, Edelbrock TPI Intake,
Cloyes Double Roller timing chain, Mellings oil pump: 13.5 @ 100.23 MPH

Since close of track : Ported SLP runners, Ported Plenum, AFPR, Autometer 100lbs F/P gauge, A/F ratio gauge, MSD 6AL.

http://www.joesperformance.com

 

My L98 motor didn't have exhaust manifold gaskets. The stock exhaust manifolds bolted straight to the heads. I made the mistake of trying to put gaskets in...whatta racket! Then I had to unbolt the manifolds and slip the gaskets out, duh.

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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI Edelbrock Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake 1 5/8" Headers Semi-Siamesed Runners, IROC
suspension, alum shaft. Numerous mods.
92Z28convt5spd (stock)
71Impala convt 402BB
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