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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

2003 Gt Long Tube Headers Install

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Barnett
  • Start date Start date Dec 25, 2016

Greg Barnett

Member
Oct 30, 2016
19
3
13
Dec 25, 2016
#1
  • Dec 25, 2016
  • #1
I'm wanting to get headers on my GT installed this spring. I think it might be a bit more than I can do. What can I expect to pay for that. Labor only. Detroit area
 

RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT
Mod Dude
Jul 20, 2014
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Taylorsville ky
Dec 26, 2016
#2
  • Dec 26, 2016
  • #2
I would think 4-6 hours in labor. Might want to call around to some exhaust shops and see what there labor rates are.. where I work is $90 an hour, in guessing Detroit will be higher lol
 

flstang65

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2007
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Dec 26, 2016
#3
  • Dec 26, 2016
  • #3
pm sent
 

rattlecan96gt

Active Member
Dec 22, 2016
106
8
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Dallas, Texas
Dec 27, 2016
#4
  • Dec 27, 2016
  • #4
quite a lot actually pretty much have to pull the motor out or drop the whole K MEMBER just beware
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,269
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Joplin, Missouri
Dec 27, 2016
#5
  • Dec 27, 2016
  • #5
You don't have to do either. It's easier to pull a motor in some cases or drop the K in others, but some header designs install with the steering shaft going through the driver side. Therefore it still must be installed with the engine in the car. Prepare for lots of cut/bruised hands and cussing but it's completely doable.

A tubular K member definitely makes life easier but again it's not needed. My first time I did headers was like an 8 hour install with 3 of us. Now we can knock them out much quicker if needed.


That being said I'll be buying a set that I can install on the engine stand and put in when I stab the motor and trans all at the same time. I've done that with a 4v and it was so much easier.
 

rattlecan96gt

Active Member
Dec 22, 2016
106
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28
Dallas, Texas
Dec 27, 2016
#6
  • Dec 27, 2016
  • #6
the steering shaft went through my headers but I still had to lift the engine a healthy 3/4 out of the bay to have clearance to A get to the bolts and B have wheel well clearance it was a huge pain
 

flstang65

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2007
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Dec 27, 2016
#7
  • Dec 27, 2016
  • #7
I highly recommend dropping the k member. A lot of times long tubes are done in conjunction with a new k member. +1 on checking to see if its one that has the steering shaft go through the primaries.
 

rattlecan96gt

Active Member
Dec 22, 2016
106
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Dallas, Texas
Dec 27, 2016
#8
  • Dec 27, 2016
  • #8
and just from my experience I would recommend not getting that one lol
 

rattlecan96gt

Active Member
Dec 22, 2016
106
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Dallas, Texas
Dec 27, 2016
#9
  • Dec 27, 2016
  • #9
but if you have a deep wallet just get a tubular k member then get what ever headers your heart desires
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,269
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Joplin, Missouri
Dec 27, 2016
#10
  • Dec 27, 2016
  • #10
Pypes and mac have the shaft go through them. BBK has a dent in one primary. SLP and Hooker both go on one side of the shaft but are very pricey.
 

rattlecan96gt

Active Member
Dec 22, 2016
106
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Dallas, Texas
Dec 28, 2016
#11
  • Dec 28, 2016
  • #11
and just from my experience I wouldn't trust the hardware that comes with it ... maybe get locking header bolts long story short I dropped a valve and had to do all that hard work all over again
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
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Joplin, Missouri
Dec 28, 2016
#12
  • Dec 28, 2016
  • #12
I read that a few times. How does the weak hardware cause a valve to drop?

Stage 8 locking header bolts are great but are a royal pita to install anywhere but on an engine stand.
 
Reactions: Noobz347

rattlecan96gt

Active Member
Dec 22, 2016
106
8
28
Dallas, Texas
Dec 28, 2016
#13
  • Dec 28, 2016
  • #13
well funny story lol I knew I had an exhaust leak awhile back but I didn't realize it got worse from a couple header bolts backing out completely hell the passenger side header was hanging by two bolts so exhaust was flowing straight out of the head
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,008
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Box behind Walmart
Dec 28, 2016
#14
  • Dec 28, 2016
  • #14
squeak93 said:
How does the weak hardware cause a valve to drop?
Click to expand...


 

rattlecan96gt

Active Member
Dec 22, 2016
106
8
28
Dallas, Texas
Dec 28, 2016
#15
  • Dec 28, 2016
  • #15
I guess an exhaust leak at the head cant burn up a valve ? nice mustang pic on your avatar btw
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,269
367
164
Joplin, Missouri
Dec 29, 2016
#16
  • Dec 29, 2016
  • #16
It can but it has to be very severe and go on for quite a while. Usually this type of leak is very noticeable.
 

rattlecan96gt

Active Member
Dec 22, 2016
106
8
28
Dallas, Texas
Dec 29, 2016
#17
  • Dec 29, 2016
  • #17
I had open long tubes at the time so that was very loud I know I don't have much of an excuse I was a bonehead but it indeed happened by the time I got to it I could move the header (wiggle) with my hand ..huge mistake lesson learned just trying to help so that it doesn't happen to someone else im not trying to be one of those noobz that's trying to prove knowledge or something I don't know a lot and I can learn a lot from yall but I have learned a lot from a collection of mistakes lol
 
I

inenidok

Member
Oct 7, 2016
36
0
6
Jan 2, 2017
#18
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • #18
i have ran a lot of headers in my day not on my 04 mustang yet but i would look in to stage 8 header bolts they have a locking tab that stops them from backing out
 

Dark04GT

10 Year Member
Apr 27, 2008
758
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NC
Jan 2, 2017
#19
  • Jan 2, 2017
  • #19
I've got stage 8 bolts. They work great.
 
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