16v exhaust removal

[blagger]

Left '89 valver with a mechanic yesterday to change the front section of the exhaust as it is just starting to blow and at speed the noise is far from pleasant.  He undid the 6 bolts from the manifold and then said that there wasn't room to physically removed the exhaust between the gear linkage and steering rack. He was going to remove the gear linkage but the bolts on it were not playing ball and he was reluctant to try too hard through fear of shearing them off and then causing all sorts more headaches.

Is removing the gear linkage the only was to get this section of exhaust off or is there an easier method?

Any help would be appreciated as I was hoping to drive to work this morning without my car sounding like it's had a vindaloo the night before 

[Judderi]

My mechanic dropped the subframe a little allowing more room to manuver. Its also an option to take the intake manifold off, this gives more room from above.

[rubjonny]

I cant see any way to remoive it without either dropping the subframe, removing the engine or taking the head off!

[Judderi]

The subframe is the easiest option.

[rubjonny]

can be more risky due to the possiblility of the subframe cabtive nut shearing, which requires a nice hole cut into the floorpan to fix 

[blagger]

The sub frame dropping was another option bit again he was worried about the shearing situation again !!

He has suggested sleeving it as a work around until a full stainless system or engine swop manifests.

Thanks guys for your advice.