99-04 LT Header Installation

Burtonsnow157 · Aug 30, 2008

I'm thinking about trying to install LT headers on my 03 GT, but dont even know if its possible. I have experience with mid-pipe and catback work and know the basics of installing a set of headers, but is it way too hard to make it worth doing in the drive-way?

I know at one point, you have you jack the passenger side of the engine about 4 inches. . . is that hard or does it just sound like that?

is this a d.i.y or pay like $500 for a shop to do it?

Tim2002GT · Aug 30, 2008

It is a fairly involved process. See link... Welcome to FnSweet.com

If you can get them installed for $500, I would go that route in a heartbeat!

Burtonsnow157 · Aug 30, 2008

damn man that is involved. definitely seems like an 8 hour job. I have experience with the suspension and all that. . . the only things i haven't had experience with in the walk-through is removing the k member/motor mounts and the g-load brace. . .

overall, the job seems long but it looks like it just takes patience and time. i'm wrong about 500 dollars btw. . . guessing that it takes a shop at least 6 hrs to do, and assuming they charge around 120/hr (which they do around here) that would be 750 at least, but probably more like 800-900 dollars plus headers. . . annnnnd the midpipe lol

shop: $1700 me: $900 i dunno might be worth the hassle

04YELLOWGT · Aug 31, 2008

Dude I did them at a friends house over a 2 day period (16hrs total) and I would rather pay $1000 than do that again. We did it with out dropping the K-member which alot of people drop it. The passenger side is the hardest part. There is like no room to fit a wrech and you're doing it all blind just by feel.

Rougestang · Aug 31, 2008

I installed mine in about 11 hours, took me probably 2 hours just to do one sid. I dropped thew wholeK member, and eveything, it doesmake thingsmuch easier. The hardest part, is getting to the bolts that hold the headers on, And tightening them down. But if your like me, and can save some money, do it yourself. Plus you have the satisfaction of telling other people you do your own work! BTW, I did mine starting about about 7 at night and I didn't finish until about 6-6:30 in the morning. being on my back that long gave me a new appreciation for a working girl! LOL

Burtonsnow157 · Aug 31, 2008

11 hours is a long time but it honestly doesnt sound that bad. as long as everything went correctly it would be cool. if it took eleven hours but everything happened like it was supposed to smoothly i'm fine with that. i could have the car up and drop the k member in under an hour probably

my powertrain warranty isnt up until 10/2009 though so i dont know what i should do about that. if something happened between the header install and then i might have trouble getting warranty work done.

Rougestang · Aug 31, 2008

I would just tell you to remeber Murphy's law, you probably will have a hiccup here and there, but it's really not that bad. Myabe alittle exhausting, but I'm sure you can handle that. As for the warrenty, call and ask if it will void it, I doubt headers woudl effect it, but you never know.

Burtonsnow157 · Aug 31, 2008

Rougestang said:
As for the warrenty, call and ask if it will void it,

yeah thats what i'll do, good call. i think they do though. cause i've heard of dealers voiding warranties because of cai's and shifters and really stupid stuff like that. i'll call them tomorrow and see whats up

Rougestang · Aug 31, 2008

Yeah good luck and hope it works out for you...BTW what headers did you/ are going to get??? I got my Mac longtubes and a prochamber midpipe for a rediculous price off of craigslist. Only 125.00 for both, still in the box. The guy bought a 95' saleen, and couldn't use them anymore. The yhad been sitting around his house or like two-three years, and I saw his add. I alomst thought it was a scam and I was going to get kidnapped when I went to pick them up.:OT:

Skud · Aug 31, 2008

I've had my headers on/off at least 4 times now.. Dropping the K member is the ONLY way I would recommend doing it.. It's just so much easier with the K off since you then have a straight shot to almost all of the bolts. This will also let you install them properly by torquing them to 20 - 24 ft/lbs.

I would also recommend a good set of ratcheting wrenches and I like to use the Stage 8 locking header bolts. That way you KNOW nothing will leak and you won't have to tear into it again. I use the stock ford gaskets.

While you're in there it's also a good time to do a solid steering shaft, motor mounts, upgrade your ground wires, etc. Might as well do it all at once..

Riley

mijo_latino · Aug 31, 2008

I say DIY also. I basically had no experience working on cars before I got my 98. I was able to drop the K and put shorties on in a weekend. As long as you research and are confident in your wrenching, its a great experience to do your own work. It somehow reinforces that car nut in us all.

Burtonsnow157 · Aug 31, 2008

Skud said:
I've had my headers on/off at least 4 times now..
Riley

when you say that do you mean that i should just put them on and if i run into engine problems/warranty work just take them off?

Burtonsnow157 · Aug 31, 2008

Rougestang said:
Yeah good luck and hope it works out for you...BTW what headers did you/ are going to get??? I got my Mac longtubes and a prochamber midpipe for a rediculous price off of craigslist. Only 125.00 for both, still in the box. The guy bought a 95' saleen, and couldn't use them anymore. The yhad been sitting around his house or like two-three years, and I saw his add. I alomst thought it was a scam and I was going to get kidnapped when I went to pick them up.:OT:

i'll have to take a look on craigslist, there was an ad for bbk lt's and midpipe for 550 brand new. If i get new from a store i was gunna get the Pypes 304 s/s lt's for $399 and then a catted mid for around 300 probably bbk.

with lt's and a catted mid i should be able to pass emissions right?

Skud · Aug 31, 2008

Burtonsnow157 said:
when you say that do you mean that i should just put them on and if i run into engine problems/warranty work just take them off?

My warranty is long gone since the car is a 2002.

I was just saying that I've done it multiple times and ways and dropping the K member is the best way to do it..

I've found that dealers vary wildly and your best bet is to ask. I had a dealer void the warranty on my axle seals because I had FRPP springs installed. Then they said that the seals weren't covered under the powertrain warranty. I even brought them the book where it said they were covered and they refused to do the work.

Your best bet would be to ask.

Riley

Burtonsnow157 · Aug 31, 2008

yeah, theres a guy i know at the dealership shop and said to do whatever i want to the car and if i need something fixed to come talk to him about it, but im just gunna ask the main service manager

TrippiGT · Sep 1, 2008

I used that same link to do my lt header install. I suggest getting a wratcheting, swivel head, 13mm wrench. Makes those header bolts easy to get to. Also when you drop the k member you can lower your engine about 4 inches or so to get some extra room to work with. The only thing I had trouble with was getting the EGR tube off. I ended up breaking it so I just blocked it off and turned it off in my tune. I just took my time and did it over a weekend in my garage.

SVT32VDOHC · Sep 2, 2008

I am thinking of taking mine off my 96 Cobra. I have a hoist at work, a forklift, and plenty of floor jacks....BUT...I want to support my engine from the top. How are you guys supporting them from the top?? What bolts do you take out?? I just want to chain it to the forklifts forks and do it that way.

SilverBullet00 · Sep 2, 2008

Alternator bolt and back of head is what I used....

stanggt00 · Sep 2, 2008

installing lt's are not all that hard today just alittle work and if your like me you will be happy that you did it your self good learning exp.

i dropped the k-member makes life a lot easier when installing the heads

toke me a weekend but i did the install by my self get a friend if you can can be done in a day

disconncet the battery
jack the car up with jack stands support
remove wheels /brakes/struts/springs
disconncet from the drive shaft

unbolt motor mounts

support motor with jack

unbolt k-member
remove old heads
---------------------------------------
install new lt headers

and reinstall everything else

sounds more complexs then it is

dont be shy get to know your ride

ps i did this install in a parking lot (murder on your back laying on concret for hrs.)

SonicStangGT · Sep 2, 2008

You people are crazy, I put my long tubes on, by myself in 6 hrs without dropping the k-member. It is tight, you will get mad, but if you have patience and a good set of tools you can do it. I always here people talk about dropping the k, but I will never do it like that. To much work. I just put the motor back in my car and before I bolted the motor mounts on I hung the motor by a engine hoist and bolted the tranny and then put the headers on. I was able to move the motor a little bit, enought to be able to get all the bolts in and get a rachet wrench on almost all the bolts, some I had to use a reg. wrench. A couple I used a socket and ext. It worked for me and in about 6 hours all my exhaust work was done and I moved on to finishing the rest. Took me about 15 hours soild, to put the motor in, all the exhaust hookup, and all the other BS. But it ran that night and the next day I got to drive. Good luck on the install.

99-04 LT Header Installation

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