Heat shield removal and installing EXH manifold

[dirty180]

I hope this isnt too long...I tried to search this topic... i swear.. i juss couldnt find **** on this topic... ive always been more of a driver than a mechanic.. although i like to turn wrenches, i'd rather spend that day going out on the track than work on my car... i really dont have much experience in wrenching a nissan.. i was at my friend's house the other day... n i was bored... i pulled out some flashlights and went into the closet where all the parts for my car were stored.. i was gonna install the walboro fuel pump but realized that i didnt have a phillips screwdriver... so i said Fcuk that and moved on to something else... eventually i decided to install the turbo manifold.. so i pulled out a 10 and 12 mm and started tearin **** apart.. i unbolted 3 of the 4 bolts n realized that there was no way in hell i was gonna pull it out without gettin all that siht out of the way.. i dont know what thsoe things above the heatshield r... but i removed the XXXX that was on a bracket that was on the block... also removed a hose for the intercooler and various hoses that were on the XXXX ( i call it the XXXX becuz i dont know what the hell it is) i always checked that the hose i was taking of was air b4 i did it.. ( im not that stupid )after i got all the stuff out the way.. the heat shield still wouldnt come out very easily.. i had to do some bending with some needlenose pliers to get it out.. once i got it out... i found out that something else was Fkuced up... a ripped gasket... making a lil tiny noise that will probably get worst.. i guess its ok becuz i got new metal gaskets n stuff... i looked around the area and juss stopped.... how the FCUK am i gonna get that manifold out n install a new one??? i think im gonna have to raise the car... i had to stop for the time being becuz i only had about an hour to put my car back together...

how difficult is it to install some headers on a SR20DET? will it take me a whole day? can i do it by myself? and one more question.... i got an APEX i N1 exhaust that juss scratched anywhere i go.. what catback exhaust will give me the best ground clearance?

thanx... p.s. hey BOMEX if u r reading this... what u see is what u get from these junkyards in japan... the big ones that disasseble cars n stockpile parts r only a lil bit cheaper than the dealers.. if there is a specific item u r looking for.. i can look around for it the next time i go...