Removing Stainless Steel Manifold - S4

[William2]

I may have to remove the stainless steel exhaust manifold on my car because the pipes don't line up very well with the spacing of the Y piece. If you remove all the exhaust studs and the left hand engine mount is it then possible to get the manifolds out more easily and without having to remove the other engine mount?

[billwill]

I think it highly likely that you can get them out with the studs out and the left side engine mount removed (jack under sump, padded with wooden board ? ).

But I can't guarantee it.

Last time I had that problem I took the head off.

[englishmaninwales]

Yes Bill is correct, studs out, engine mount off and engine LHS jacked up a bit. Still a bit of a gorilla fight putting it back together again, though

[HAIRY]

These are my notes to fit a manifold:
1. remove exhaust side engine mount
2. remove dynamo
3. remove heater valve (makes it easier to fit nuts)
4. push middle section of manifold up from underneath car
5. push outer section of manifold up from underneath car
6. fiddle to fit
7. fit gaskets and studs

[SprinTango]

I have just done the same job on my Sprint, and did it with the manifold studs still in place! I removed the engine mount (1 side only) and alternator, but left the water valve in place. I raised the front of the car and with an addition jack under the sump I lifted the engine slightly higher than normal.
Then just 30 minutes playing with what seemed like a giant metal puzzle and the manifold suddenly came out. There is a "knack" which upon refitting a week later I realised I had completely forgotten! So another half hour of fun. I fed the larger section in from underneath and the centre section from above. I had to sort of rotate this as I fed it down. With both sections in roughly the right place I then fitted them on the studs together. Finally I fitted the Y piece underneath with the manifold still fitted loosely on the studs.
I would feel more confident next time, but hope that's not for a very long time.