Hi All,
I bought a set of the Ceramic coated MAC headers. Shortly after I started to read some threads about people installing these headers and their oil consumption going way up.
I decided to send an email to MAC's technical support to see what information I could find.
This is my original email to MAC sent on April 22, 2006.
I received this responce today (April 24th, 2006)
Thoughts??
Thanks!!
Riley
I bought a set of the Ceramic coated MAC headers. Shortly after I started to read some threads about people installing these headers and their oil consumption going way up.
I decided to send an email to MAC's technical support to see what information I could find.
This is my original email to MAC sent on April 22, 2006.
Hello,
I've recently purchased a set of Ceramic coated long tube headers for my 2002 Mustang GT.
Shortly after purchasing them I began reading many reports of people having severe oil consumption (1 quart per 100 miles seems to be the reported average), severe blue smoke out of the tailpipe and engine damage. The reports claim that only the MAC long tube headers were installed and the smoking occurred almost immediately after installation.
Upon disassembly of the engine, many people have reported finding a fine "sand-like"substance in the oil as well as scoring in the cylinder walls. The result is, of course a ruined engine.
As I continued reading I had only become increasingly concerned that these weren't a "few crazy people who don't know what they are doing". These are people who know a thing or two regarding automobiles. Some of the individuals have had the headers professionally installed by speed shops and some have done the installation themselves. The results have been the same either way. Blue smoke and engine damage.
I am wondering, what can you tell me about this situation? Is MAC aware of this issue and has it been corrected? With the number of incidents occurring I am debating on whether or not to return the headers for another brand. I would rather not, as the MAC's I have now look to be high-quality pieces.
If I receive no response to this email I will assume that you have no guidance for me and I will be returning the MAC headers for another brand. This is my first MAC product I have bought and I would hate for it to be my last.
I await your response.
Thanks!!
Riley Foster
I received this responce today (April 24th, 2006)
They smoke because there is no back pressure, most likely these guys are running off rd pipes. Its not the headers but the stock heads. They cannot handle the extra velocity and seep oil. The headers are actually doing there job very well, the high amount of velocity in the exhaust “quicker rev time” creates a ventura or a suction the oil seeps through the stock valves. I have a ls1 camaro 2001 I put the headers and off rd pipe on and I got blow by “too much velocity in the exhaust” and smoke came out my tail pipes. Vehicles are more prone with the air intake and off rd h pipes, I put my cats back on problem solved. This only occurred at 4500-6000 rpms wide open throttle. ITS NOT A HEADER ISSUE IT’S A FORD ISSUE. Ford designed the stock valves for the stock exhaust you run headers and off rd and you get smoke or oil consumption.
Thoughts??
Thanks!!
Riley