Worst header install to date

[N02-87FOX]

Just installed Mac Longtubes 1 5/8 in my 89 fox convertible. Just a heads up for anyone getting ready to do this. I got the headers and h pipe for about 400 and to make them fit was another about 300, so in total will be about 700 bucks to make them fit. Also the instructions wont tell you that you will need to remove the starter to install the passenger side, also wont tell you that the passenger side will rest on the k member so you will need to either shimmy your motor mounts or but new, I went with energy suspension ones it raise it enough to keep it from resting on the k member but kept it low enough to let the hood close. Now the driver side was a pain it caught on the steering shaft so I replaced it with one from flaming river to correct, you will have to cut to fit. It was a pain but I got her done and anyone going through the same problems have any questions just ask. Also the h-pipe fits but you will have to line up each side them connect the h in the h-pipe and to get it to slide in I used a 2x4 and a BFhttp://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=20H. So to save yourself the heartache with the headers order a new steering shaft and new motor mounts and you should be good!
Heres some pics of them installed.

 

[tannerc91gt]

Longtubes are a PITA. It's a well-known fact

 

[Jack's95gt]

That chrome didn't waste any time turning blue. I also had to get the aluminum steering shaft with BBK LT. I hope the Macs leave plenty of clearance around the starter motor. Long tubes can heat soak a starter motor in stop and go traffic. The cure is fab up a heat shield and protect the starter.

 

[Haus]

Sounds like a PITA


those plug wires are a mess tho lol those are very long. what brand?

 

[ID89GT]

I love my BBK longtubes I can have them in the car ready to be bolted up in about 15 mins once the engine is raised a bit lol

 

[2000xp8]

From the looks of it you have a set with no solid flange.
You think you had trouble installing them the first time, just wait until you have to change the gaskets.
They may never go back on. Have several pry bars handy, the bolts probably won't line up.
Yet another lesson i learned the hard way.

 

[N02-87FOX]

well good news is they are copper gaskets so hopefully will never need to change. LoL.

 

[stykthyn]

not a fan of individual flanges. a few people get away without issues, most need a blow torch and a pry bar to get them back in a second time. That was my biggest reason to go with BBK's.

 

[ebk06]

My cheapo summit brand LTs went on fairly easy and have worked fine. The driver side was a little tricky but would have been easy with a lift to raise the car high in the air. Next time i install LTs im sure with a buddy helping it could be done in about 2 hours or less.

 

[jrichker]

All that money, sweat, busted knuckles and frustration for 5 HP more than a nice set of FRPP stainless steel shorties? Doesn't sound like it would be worth the trouble to me...

 

[2000xp8]

All that money, sweat, busted knuckles and frustration for 5 HP more than a nice set of FRPP stainless steel shorties? Doesn't sound like it would be worth the trouble to me...

I'm with you, i've never understood the draw of long tubes on non-race cars.

 

[KamiKaziDK]

My buddies MACs weren't that hard to install, yeah you have to remove the starter and unbolt the steering shaft.....but that doesn't take long at all. Got his LTs used with a pro-chamber off ebay for around 220 bucks shipped too, swapping out a catalytic h-pipe is much easier for emissions now! lol

 

[GreatWhite]

From the looks of it you have a set with no solid flange.
You think you had trouble installing them the first time, just wait until you have to change the gaskets.
They may never go back on. Have several pry bars handy, the bolts probably won't line up.
Yet another lesson i learned the hard way.

Amen to that. It took me about an hour just trying to get my headers realigned when I did my intake install awhile back.

(Bolt busted off in the head and couldn't removed it to save my life, so had to swap a head. Headers were just more headaches on top of it.)

+1 for liking shorties over longtubes on non-racers, too...

 

[90lxcoupe]

your motor mounts were probably shot to begin with and ive seen a few cars, including my own that had mac longtubes withe the stock steering shaft