Turbo to Downpipe: rusted bolts

[mulligania]

I need some advice. I am planning on installing a new turbo back exhaust next month. This weekend I was under the car and noticed the bolts and nuts that attach the downpipe to the turbo housing were severely rusted-actually disintigrating.
There is no way I could get these nuts off; and the threads are shot. I could cut off the bolts with a grinder and then try and remove the stubs but this is a very tight area- not amenable to such a job.
Do you think I should take it in to a pro and just pay the cashish or give it a shot. Plus I am worried if I cant get those bolts off then it means new turbo and major down time for my daily driver.

Any advice appreciated

[SilverSportNOLA]

Mine came off fine .... but that was almost 4 years ago. I put new nuts on when I installed the new downpipe. Well ..... from the sound of it .... you have an excuse for a BigTurbo.

[mkivrocketbug]

you can soak the bolts with some WD-40 drive the car get the stuff hot under there and and jack her up... the WD will absorb into the cracks and stuff and itll make it easier... the studs might be a pain in the but and pulling the manifold off would be a little bit of a hassle.

[nyum96]

WD-40 them the night before you need them off. Same problem here but I soaked them good. If you really want to break them off, use an impact wrench. That'll either break them or get them loose. DO use new copper locking nuts. Regular steel nuts will come off since they do not expand and contract well with heat. Made that mistake on the air-cooled engine.

When doing this turbo removal, don't make extra work. It took about a day to do my OEM turbo removal and install. Thats taking my time and having torqued everything to spec. Can't forget about doing it in a cold garage.. on the floor with only car ramps.

[Buggin]

Use "PB Blaster" (found at O'Reilly Auto parts and Advance, I believe). It's in a spray can with red and yellow writing all over it. It's some of the best stuff I've ever used...

I also ordered new nuts, bolts, and gasket from the dealer. The bolts come out of the turbo with vice grips pretty easy.

[red_rock_beetle]

that pb'laster is good stuff should work well
always go back with new hardware and dont worry the turbo should be fine ,unless you jam the socket through it
anyway good luck hope it turns out well

and by the way nyum96 good selection of vehicles i have the same things a red '73 914 and a red '01 new beetle
both 1.8 with 5 speed
GOOD STUFF!!