!! Stripped Cat Bolt !!

omg35s

Tried to install my RTP's today. We stripped the passenger's side famous evil top bolt that is accessed through the engine bay.

I have all the proper tools and extensions. I used 1/2" breaker bar with a lot of 1/2" extensions and a 14mm 6-head socket and stripped the bolt. Didn't get to loosen it at all. Went to Sears and bought a extract bolt-kit and managed to loosen it about 1/4 turn. Then the bolt stripped some more.

Then I thought maybe we should just break the head of the bolt by over-tightening it. I tightened it about 1/4 then stopped because I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not.

I've sprayed this bolt with PB blaster over a few days and it's still giving me trouble.

At this point the bolt is tightened normally and is stripped counter-clockwise.

What are my options? After spending all this money on tools and the time I put into it I don't really want to take it to a shop. I can do the install in less than an hour if it weren't for these two top bolts.

I've broken it down to two options:

1. Drive the car around and let the bolt heat-up then try to tighten and break the head of the bolt. (Is this safe? Will the flanges bend?)

2. Take it to a shop and let them blow-torch and remove the bolt. (Can the blow-torch reach the bolt?)


Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated!

Thanks