Does anybody know the best way to change a down cat, i tried yesterday and what a pane. please help

What Car? Ive only done 1 on a classic.
The first thing to take off is the heat shield around the exhaust housing of the turbo, 10mm spanner and a socket.
You will need some good spanners, pref ring or combination to undo the nuts on the turbo housing,14 or 15mm IIRC. These can be a sh!t to get off, give them a good soak in WD.
If youve got access to ramps or a pit the rest is a doddle.
The pipe will only go downwards to take off.
Use a lite smear of exhaust sealant on the mounting flange (top end)unless you have a new steel gasket (about 18 quid).
Dont damage the fire ring (system end), you will need to get this off to fit to your new pipe. These can be difficult to get hold of pattern wise, a genuine one is dear.
When you come to re-fit the heat shield, you will have to modify it abit to clear the open neck design of your new pipe.
I found the easiest way was to get a pair of tin snips and bend/cut til it fits, there is no hard and fast design here!
If you get anymore grief, send me a mail.

Gary.

I found in addition to what Leviathan says, a straight sided socket is less likely to take the corners off the nuts if they are very tight.

Dont be too rough with the bolts with springs which connect the downpipe to the centre pipe. They are reduced diameter and can break if you overdo it.

Les

[Edited by Leslie - 9/14/2003 10:57:58 AM]

cheers lads for your replys i have did it know and it is realy load, just hope i dont get pulled now.