[slowbubblecar]

I haven't broken any manifold studs off yet, but I have broken a few turbo bolts off (even with using anti-sieze). I used to do the vice grip way for exhaust manifold studs and it usually worked pretty well. Now, my method for taking them off is to use 2 nuts.

Thread the first nut on most of the way and thread the other one right up next to it. Start backing out the inside nut (closer to the head) and it should back out the stud (as it can't go anywhere). This way is less work on your hands.

I know QPR had a tool that pretty much grips most of the stud so you can grab most of it but I am not sure where they got it. Maybe one of the other shops has a similar tool. It would probably help in extracting it without breaking it off in the first place.

If I was to break a stud off, I would probably just take it to a machine shop. For how cheap they do it and the turn-around time, it is worth not worrying about it. It was cheap for them to my turbo bolts and I can't imagine the weaker exhaust manifold studs being any more.