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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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1990 Mustang Headers

  • Thread starter Thread starter 90BlueGTStang
  • Start date Start date Jun 19, 2012

90BlueGTStang

Member
Nov 22, 2011
58
8
18
Jun 19, 2012
#1
  • Jun 19, 2012
  • #1
Did the 1990 Mustang GT come stock with headers? I have headers on mine and I didnt change anything on the car since I've owned it and I was just wondering about that. Trying to figure out if the guy who had it before changed them.
 

StockLX

Founding Member
Mar 27, 2001
1,065
0
36
Halifax NS, Canada
Jun 19, 2012
#2
  • Jun 19, 2012
  • #2
they came with a semi-restrictive manifold that looks very similar to a header. however its fairly narrow but thick for long life.
 

90BlueGTStang

Member
Nov 22, 2011
58
8
18
Jun 19, 2012
#3
  • Jun 19, 2012
  • #3
Oh ok, because I was looking at it and I thought that they were headers. Is there any way to tell if its factory or not? Like stamping somewhere or something?
 

68stang351

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
850
9
39
Savoy TX
Jun 19, 2012
#4
  • Jun 19, 2012
  • #4
Can you post a pic?
 

stang&2Birds

Founding Member
May 4, 2000
2,091
5
58
New England. :-) CT/MA
Jun 20, 2012
#5
  • Jun 20, 2012
  • #5
StockLX said:
they came with a semi-restrictive manifold that looks very similar to a header. however its fairly narrow but thick for long life.
Click to expand...
???
The 5.0 EFIs all came with headers. They don't come close to being a cast manifold.

Check ebay, they have a zillion trillion billion listed there every day.

Original 1986 Header:



Original 1986 Header vs FRPP Jethot coated header:

 

stang&2Birds

Founding Member
May 4, 2000
2,091
5
58
New England. :-) CT/MA
Jun 20, 2012
#6
  • Jun 20, 2012
  • #6
90BlueGTStang said:
Oh ok, because I was looking at it and I thought that they were headers. Is there any way to tell if its factory or not? Like stamping somewhere or something?
Click to expand...
IMHO, the easiest way to tell if a header is from the factory is if they have the indentations in the tube near the bolt holes. See the pictures I posted above. Ford did that to make it easier and quicker to install them at the factory.

The factory headers where also designed to allow for room for the spark plug cables. It can be "interesting" how close the spark plug cables are to some of the headers.

Equal length headers are infamous for many installation, fitment, spark plug wire, etc issues.

And, yes, it's a PITA to put on non factory headers. Anyone that says otherwise is one of those people that can yank, rebuild, and install an engine in under 30mins, in pitch black, bind-folded, with both hands tied behind their back, etc, etc.
 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,733
6,716
214
Hillsborough county
Jun 20, 2012
#7
  • Jun 20, 2012
  • #7
Ah men to that. my headers took forever to install, had to use bolts that you put in with an allen wrench.... i had to cut the allen key down to get it to clear some of the tubes!! I pray i never blow a head gasket.
 

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
1,442
205
94
Arkansas
Jun 20, 2012
#8
  • Jun 20, 2012
  • #8
I put equal length long tubes on mine and it didn't take that long and was quite easy and I can't yank out a motor and rebuild it in 30 minutes lol. Just had to go in from the bottom. But I did have my trans out and had all the room I'd ever need.
 
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