what size headers?

[20001 mustang]

so my next upgrade is going to be a set of long tube headers, id like a set that clears the tranny so i wont have to remove them to work on it, i know kooks and i think flowtech clear, i know theres more. i can decide on the brand as long as it clears, but what diameter should i go with? im mostly stock now but plan to supercharge it.

i know its a PITA to install these and i dont have the tools, work area or skill for this one so im wondering if anyone on here paid to get it done and how much it cost.

 

[Deleted member 38176]

I researched LT's for my car because I definitely wanted it to be my next mod. Most of the headers that are sold for our cars will clear. The pulling of the tranny usually is simply to ease the difficulty of installation, not necessarily a necessity.

I've since removed LT's as my next mod due to the fact that out of 6 different shops, the cheapest quote I received was $600 for installation. Yeah, F THAT!

In my personal opinion, LT's should be one of the last bolt-ons to complete.

 

[ChillPhatCat]

I definitely would stay away from flowtech, I put a set of those on my IROC a few years ago and the bolt holes didn't match up at all to the heads, I had to grind out 3 or 4 of them and one bolt never went in.

 

[scupking]

I have mac LTs and they fit good. Though they needed to be taken off last week so I could drop my transmission. Granted I have an auto but If I had an manual my builder said it would be able to clear without removing the headers.

 

[Night Shifter]

My Mac LT's cleared just fine...i was able to remove the tranny with them still bolted in...they just sit extremely close to the starter

 

[txredgt]

Thankfully I haven't had to pull my tranny yet but I have bbk's and other than hanging excessively low they are great. If your car is lowered at all this might be a problem.

 

[bradfier]

I believe the only options for diameter are 1 5/8 and 1 3/4. Unless your planning immediate F/I and your building a race car, I don’t think the extra money is worth the 1 3/4. I put 1 5/8 MAC LT’s on my MACH 1 and they are a B**** to put on because the collectors are Welded in place. I had to take off one header to pull the trans. but once you've done it, they aren't that bad.

 

[98COBRA281]

my flowtechs fit perfect, and i have no leaks, you cant beat them for $280 bucks.....

 

[20001 mustang]

so from the sound of it the size isnt that big a deal. i most likely wasnt going to go with flowtech anyway, and i didnt plan on doing headers this soon either but i snapped a header bolt and now a got a little leak its driving me nuts, i could probly fix it but after hearing what it will sound like it made me want the headers. i think i might go with mac now, sound like it should clear as a have a standard, bradfier is yours auto?

 

[Dark04GT]

my MAC lt's work fine, no leaks. Had them installed when I had my clutch/flywheel installed, all together pretty expensive but under a grand for the labor on both.

If you are looking for FI in your future you would be better off using the money towards your supercharger. Headers can give you decent gains but since you don't have the tools you probably should have them installed for you. Pretty low bang for buck by the time you finish buying them and having them installed by a shop.

 

[20001 mustang]

does anyone know how much it costs to have a shop put these in?

 

[Night Shifter]

a lot...

look to spend at least $500 to get them installed...but id say it'll probably be more

 

[Deleted member 38176]

does anyone know how much it costs to have a shop put these in?

out of 6 different shops, the cheapest quote I received was $600 for installation

.

 

[bradfier]

20001 Mustang

My Mach is a 5 spd. and I haven't done any headers on an auto trans. Realistically if you are planning on paying someone to put them on, find a vo-tech student looking for a few bucks or check with an auto parts store employee, there are a ton of guys willing to do side work if you just ask around. If your mechanically inclined it might take you 6 to 8 hours, I did mine in 13 but that’s because I was more concerned with beer then the job! LOL If your in PA send me a Private Message! $600.00 is a good price to have a professional mechanic do the work!

 

[20001 mustang]

well i havnt looked for anyone to install them yet but now i cant decide on what setup to go with. i want new headers and mid pipe, but i want something some what tame, i alreadey have magnaflow mufflers. i still need something to clear the tranny, anyone got any suggestions ive been looking around alot and cant decide, im not big on bbk and a pure mac setup is a bit to loud for me, anyone know of a shorty mid pipe that could tame down the mac headers a bit and id be happy.

 

[Deleted member 38176]

well i havnt looked for anyone to install them yet but now i cant decide on what setup to go with. i want new headers and mid pipe, but i want something some what tame, i alreadey have magnaflow mufflers. i still need something to clear the tranny, anyone got any suggestions ive been looking around alot and cant decide, im not big on bbk and a pure mac setup is a bit to loud for me, anyone know of a shorty mid pipe that could tame down the mac headers a bit and id be happy.

Honestly, the mid-pipe is really what's going to decide whether your car is loud or quiet moreso than the headers. If you're not too crazy about the car being LOUD, then you're going to need a catted mid-pipe.

You're easily going to be spending $1000+ for just headers and a mid-pipe (including install).

 

[Dark04GT]

A catted mid pipe makes your car substantially quieter. When I went to long tubes my car actually was quieter than when I had the stock manifold + catted mac prochamber.

I have Mac LTs w/ a catted mac prochamber, flows out the back. It is pretty quiet at idle but opens up at WOT.