Exhaust 1 3/4” Long Tubes on a Fox Body AOD – Easiest route?

[5.0 Mike]

What’s up guys, I’m trying to find 1 3/4” long tube headers that will actually fit my Fox Body with an AOD without turning my engine bay into a science experiment. I know 1 5/8” would be easier, but I’m running a 347 stroker and don’t want to choke it.

Fox Setup:
• 1986 Mustang 5.0 AOD
• 347 Stroker, Trick Flow Top-End, Holley
Terminator X
• Mini Starter Installed
• Stock K-Member, Solid Motor Mounts

Issues I Keep Seeing:
• Steering Shaft Clearance – I’ve seen people route the shaft through the headers. Is that really the best option?

• Motor Mount Spacers – Do I actually need washers under the mounts just to clear the collectors?

• Transmission Clearance – Do any 1 3/4” headers clear an AOD without hammering the floorpan?


What I’m Looking For:
•1 3/4” headers that fit an AOD with the least amount of headaches

• What modifications did you have to make?

• Which headers actually fit without hacking up the car?

So far, I’ve looked at:
• BBK 1 3/4” Long Tubes – Fitment issues, steering shaft problems

• Kooks 1 3/4” Long Tubes – Expensive but better fit?

• American Racing Headers (ARH) 1 3/4” – $$$ but worth it?


Would love to hear from anyone running 1 3/4” headers on a Fox with an AOD – What actually works?

 

[89ripper]

Welcome to stangnet, 5.0 Mike, nice opening post. Im giving you a bump because im curious myself so Im following along. Fitting 1 5/8" long tubes on my car was hard enough!

 

[nhlxpony]

i am in the same exact boat as you . i called kooks those 1-7/8 but require aftermarket k member and powermaster starter . ARH cant really give me a straight answer if they fit a AOD with stock k member. i did score some bassani 1-3/4 shortys . most likely will run those with 3” ….. had 1-5/8 long tubes before and those barely fit . damn aod trans lol

 

[89ripper]

They make working on the car fun!

 

[5.0 Mike]

Alright boys, If you’re running an AOD and looking for 1-3/4” long tube headers for your Foxbody (302/347), here’s the bottom line.

After a ton of research and forum reading, American Racing Headers (ARH) is basically the only brand making true 1-3/4” long tubes that fit cleanly with an AOD. No floorpan hammering, no steering shaft hacks, and no guesswork. They fit 1979–93 Mustangs with automatics, and people have confirmed they clear the AOD bellhousing, starter, and steering gear without issues.

The part number you want is MSFX-79134300HR. These headers work with stock or aftermarket K-members, the collectors land in the stock location, and they’re built with thick flanges and proper routing so you don’t run into the usual clearance nightmares.

You can buy them through Summit Racing, AmericanMuscle, or directly from ARH. Price isn’t cheap — usually around $1,600–$1,700 — but honestly, it’s worth it just to avoid the headache of trying to make manual-only headers fit an AOD.

I looked into other options like BBK and Hooker, but either they don’t officially support the AOD or require serious mods like motor mount spacers, floor massaging, or custom steering shafts. If you want a clean, no-drama install with 1-3/4” primaries on a 347 + AOD combo, ARH seems to be the answer.

Hope this saves someone from the rabbit hole I went through trying to track down solid info. And if anyone has found any other brands that offer AOD Compatible 1 3/4 long tubes please share the sauce with the rest of us

 

[5.0 Mike]

They make working on the car fun!

Yeah, that’s definitely one way to put it.

 

[5.0 Mike]

Update:

I also found that Doug’s Headers D6671 may work as a cheaper alternative to ARH. The only two reviews I could dig up mention a few install quirks, though:

“1/4” spacer between motor mounts and block. Headers fit well out of the box though I do have some interference with the steering shaft that will have to be tweaked…”

“The header outlets could be positioned a little better under the car for the dual hump crossmember, but a custom X or H-pipe will take care of that…”

“I had an issue where the #8 cylinder tube wasn’t crimped to accept the header bolts, but after some discussion with Summit and the company, they made it right and sent me a new tube. Overall great value for what you get IMO.”

“They fit well and cleared everything to a point. We will not be able to install a muffler to the header. The crossmember is now in the way, which means if we stick with these headers we are stuck running open exhaust.”


So yeah — not quite the bolt-in fit you’d get with ARH, but for $400–$600 cheaper, it’s a pretty fair tradeoff if you’re okay having a shop tweak the mid-pipe or steering shaft clearance a bit.

You guys pick your poison.