Can an 87 cat back fit an 83 simply?

83Softtop · Aug 16, 2004

Hi Guys,
Newbie here. Just got my 83 LX 5.0 outta storage. Exhaust system rotten.
I would like to convert from single exhaust to a better system. Will an 87 cat back system adapt to an 83? I already have the Ford motorsport stainless shorty headders to replace the cast iron 83 units, but nothing else. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your patience, 83Softtop

notchback · Aug 16, 2004

you just need the double hump tranny crossmember and everything else should be fine.

04sleeper · Aug 16, 2004

On an 83 you will need the double hump cross member as noted. Also you will have clearence issues with the rear brake lines on the rear end. They will have to be reloacated. (Can be done easily). Also you will need to get some tail pipe hangers and muffler hangers welded up. You can use some oil drain plugs to plug the 02 sensor holes up. I have used them before and they worked well. Thats about it.

351 82GT · Aug 16, 2004

89sleeper said:
On an 83 you will need the double hump cross member as noted. Also you will have clearence issues with the rear brake lines on the rear end. They will have to be reloacated. (Can be done easily). Also you will need to get some tail pipe hangers and muffler hangers welded up. You can use some oil drain plugs to plug the 02 sensor holes up. I have used them before and they worked well. Thats about it.

Why would the rear brake lines need to be relocated?????
I agree with needing the double hump crossmember but I used the flowmaster exhaust system for an '86-'93 LX on my '82GT and didn't have to relocate any brake lines.
You don't need to "weld" muffler hangers or tailpipe hangers either. There are plenty of places in the rear frame to bolt hangers from. Look at where the stock ones are. Just put new hangers there and there will be places on the other side as well.
I got the LX tailpipes because I wanted to exhaust to come straight out the back and not pointed down like the GT's

83Softtop · Aug 16, 2004

Starting to collect parts

Notchback, 89sleeper, 351 82GT:
Thanks guys, you helped a lot, I will get a double hump crossmember and an 87 stainless cat back assembly for LX (straight tips noted, 351). I can fabricate, cut and weld mild steel, so mounts and relocation of brake lines is ideal work for me. I cannot fab or weld stainless tube, that's the reason for the nature of the question.
Any suggestions as to manufacturerer of the cat back assy.? Magnaflow makes one.
83Softtop

87'GTstang · Aug 16, 2004

Well quality should be about the same if you stick with the big names (flowmaster, dynomax, borla, ect.). It's all in personal taste (not all will sound the same mainly due to the muffler designs) but personally, nothing makes a stang sound more alive than the american thunder setup from flowmaster - sounds absolutley nasty .

04sleeper · Aug 16, 2004

351 82GT said:
Why would the rear brake lines need to be relocated?????
I agree with needing the double hump crossmember but I used the flowmaster exhaust system for an '86-'93 LX on my '82GT and didn't have to relocate any brake lines.
You don't need to "weld" muffler hangers or tailpipe hangers either. There are plenty of places in the rear frame to bolt hangers from. Look at where the stock ones are. Just put new hangers there and there will be places on the other side as well.
I got the LX tailpipes because I wanted to exhaust to come straight out the back and not pointed down like the GT's

Thats what I used to drive. An 82 GT and the brake line on the rear end was in the way on the passenger side. I still had the stock 7.5 inch rear in at the time of doing the dual conversion. The muffler shop welded up new hangers for the tail pipes and mufflers. I watched them do it.

351 82GT · Aug 16, 2004

89sleeper said:
Thats what I used to drive. An 82 GT and the brake line on the rear end was in the way on the passenger side. I still had the stock 7.5 inch rear in at the time of doing the dual conversion. The muffler shop welded up new hangers for the tail pipes and mufflers. I watched them do it.

I believe you but I installed the same system on my car myself with the same 7.5 rear and I know I didn't need to weld any hangers...I'm serious
I don't understand why I didn't have to and you did.

Can an 87 cat back fit an 83 simply?

83Softtop

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04sleeper

351 82GT

83Softtop

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87'GTstang

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