Ceramic or chrome headers ???

[revhead347]

I bought a set of Ceramic coated BBKs a little over 2 years ago. In 2004 though, the coating from the factory wasn't so great. They seemed to have improved. Jet Hot coating has become more expensive over the years.

Kurt

 

[from6to8]

I bought a set of Ceramic coated BBKs a little over 2 years ago. In 2004 though, the coating from the factory wasn't so great. They seemed to have improved. Jet Hot coating has become more expensive over the years.

Kurt

Thanks Kurt. Yes all of the reviews and stuff I've gotten over past week I'm just going to go ceramics.

Now as for the welds in the BBK's, did you clean them up inside? I don't think they will be that much of an issue but just wondering. Also, did you use an X or H and same brand or different? I know some guys are saying using the same brand is best for fitment purposes. My car was in an accident so I have to repair the exhaust from where x pipe meets rest of exhaust going back anyway so shouldn't be a problem if they have to sort of make them work; as long as it's not too drastic that would affect negatively or have leaks

I'm thinking probably BBK 1 3/4 LT's for my 400 C.I. , and more than likely going back with a Basani as read some guys didn't like the BBK X pipe. A lot though have said that pretty much all X and H pipes sound pretty much the same and others said they could tell differences. Not saying that an X and H sounds alike though

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Love my ceramic coated BBK long tubes. They take a lot of abuse.

First time we started the car, my brother had stabbed the distributor incorrectly and it was running 30-deg retarded. Got the first 6" of the headers so hot, they were glowing bright orange. Burned the coating in this area and turned them dull, but damed if it still isn't holding up.

I've got them wrapped on top of it all and they still look great.

 

[from6to8]

Love my ceramic coated BBK long tubes. They take a lot of abuse.

First time we started the car, my brother had stabbed the distributor incorrectly and it was running 30-deg retarded. Got the first 6" of the headers so hot, they were glowing bright orange. Burned the coating in this area and turned them dull, but damed if it still isn't holding up.

I've got them wrapped on top of it all and they still look great.

I will ask you the same thing I just asked kurt

Now as for the welds in the BBK's, did you clean them up inside? I don't think they will be that much of an issue but just wondering. Also, did you use an X or H and same brand or different? I know some guys are saying using the same brand is best for fitment purposes. My car was in an accident so I have to repair the exhaust from where x pipe meets rest of exhaust going back anyway so shouldn't be a problem if they have to sort of make them work; as long as it's not too drastic that would affect negatively or have leaks

I'm thinking probably BBK 1 3/4 LT's for my 400 C.I. , and more than likely going back with a Basani as read some guys didn't like the BBK X pipe. A lot though have said that pretty much all X and H pipes sound pretty much the same and others said they could tell differences. Not saying that an X and H sounds alike though

Are long tube's more prone to burning the SP wires?

 

[from6to8]

And forgot to ask to yall both............. the most important question is were there any issues with getting to spark plugs on either side? And what about burning spark plug wires?

Wait a minute though, yall don't have 351's?? I'm doing a 400, not sure the issue would be with one motor and not the next ?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

None of the welds needed cleaning up. They were all quality and non obtrusive.

I've used both H and X-pipes with them. I'll tell you right now, almost all of them need a little "tweaking". My first was an off road BBK X-pipe and it required ratchet straps for me to pull them into place. Since getting rid of that, they've all been custom.

No issues at all changing plugs, or burning wires. You're gonna skin knuckles no matter what header you're running. I use FRPP plug wires.

 

[from6to8]

None of the welds needed cleaning up. They were all quality and non obtrusive.

I've used both H and X-pipes with them. I'll tell you right now, almost all of them need a little "tweaking". My first was an off road BBK X-pipe and it required ratchet straps for me to pull them into place. Since getting rid of that, they've all been custom.

No issues at all changing plugs, or burning wires. You're gonna skin knuckles no matter what header you're running. I use FRPP plug wires.

ok cool.
even using BBk headers and BBk X/H pipe there still wasn't a direct bolt up or was it because of something else in the way?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

ok cool.
even using BBk headers and BBk X/H pipe there still wasn't a direct bolt up or was it because of something else in the way?

Both were used when I bought them and probably got a little out of shape with multiple heat cycles.

If you want "guaranteed to fit", you'll need to go with something from a company like Kooks, Stainless Works or American Racing Header.

....in which case, be prepared to spend triple the money.IMO, the BBK's are the best combination of cost effective and compromise.

 

[from6to8]

Both were used when I bought them and probably got a little out of shape with multiple heat cycles.

If you want "guaranteed to fit", you'll need to go with something from a company like Kooks, Stainless Works or American Racing Header.

....in which case, be prepared to spend triple the money.IMO, the BBK's are the best combination of cost effective and compromise.

Ok cool yeah that's what I was thinking about the BB K myself yeah I don't want to spend that much money on headers... Triple anyway lol or even doublel

 

[revhead347]

No, I did not clean up the welds inside. I doubt you would see any difference in performance. Keep in mind, the Ceramic coating is inside as well; if you grind off the welds you are also removing the coating. Also, BBK does not make 1 and 3/4 headers for SN Mustangs with a 5 speed. You can use Fox BBKs as long as you have a Fox transmission, or 3550 series Tremec. I have had both the SN style BBKs and the Fox headers, and the Fox headers fit better by far. The fox headers will hit the clutch fork with a stock T5. I have actually cooperated with BBK to demonstrate the combination of their Foxbody header with a Tremec Transmission. The pictures for installation that the BBK tech team has for this combination are all from my car. If you want to run the Fox headers you are going to have to do some significant modification to whatever intermediary pipe you buy. That being said, I did a direct fit SN header with matching BBK x-pipe on another car not too long ago, and guess what, they didn't fit. I ended up having to crank the inlet pipes together with a ratchet strap. I reused my old Mac ProChamber when I swapped from an SN BBK header to a Fox BBK header. The collectors on the Fox header sit way closer together. The driver's side also comes towards the transmission at an odd angle. I ended up having to cut the inlet tubes completely off, and reconstructing them from mandrel bent tube sections. Keep in mind, all this data is for a 302 block, and while I have no reason to think a 351 Foxbody header won't fit on an SN with a Tremec, I haven't personally installed that combination. Spark plug access on both headers is not restricted at all. If anything, it's better than stock.

Here is that really odd angle you have to do for that driver side header:



This is the completed SN ProChamber setup for Foxbody headers. You can see there is amount of bending or stretching that would get the pipe to fit due to the difference in primary tube lengths and the odd angles. Trust me, I would have tried that if I could. I doubt that Foxbody intermediaries would fit any better due to the drastically different hanger locations.



Kurt

 

[from6to8]

No, I did not clean up the welds inside. I doubt you would see any difference in performance. Keep in mind, the Ceramic coating is inside as well; if you grind off the welds you are also removing the coating. Also, BBK does not make 1 and 3/4 headers for SN Mustangs with a 5 speed. You can use Fox BBKs as long as you have a Fox transmission, or 3550 series Tremec. I have had both the SN style BBKs and the Fox headers, and the Fox headers fit better by far. The fox headers will hit the clutch fork with a stock T5. I have actually cooperated with BBK to demonstrate the combination of their Foxbody header with a Tremec Transmission. The pictures for installation that the BBK tech team has for this combination are all from my car. If you want to run the Fox headers you are going to have to do some significant modification to whatever intermediary pipe you buy. That being said, I did a direct fit SN header with matching BBK x-pipe on another car not too long ago, and guess what, they didn't fit. I ended up having to crank the inlet pipes together with a ratchet strap. I reused my old Mac ProChamber when I swapped from an SN BBK header to a Fox BBK header. The collectors on the Fox header sit way closer together. The driver's side also comes towards the transmission at an odd angle. I ended up having to cut the inlet tubes completely off, and reconstructing them from mandrel bent tube sections. Keep in mind, all this data is for a 302 block, and while I have no reason to think a 351 Foxbody header won't fit on an SN with a Tremec, I haven't personally installed that combination. Spark plug access on both headers is not restricted at all. If anything, it's better than stock.

Here is that really odd angle you have to do for that driver side header:



This is the completed SN ProChamber setup for Foxbody headers. You can see there is amount of bending or stretching that would get the pipe to fit due to the difference in primary tube lengths and the odd angles. Trust me, I would have tried that if I could. I doubt that Foxbody intermediaries would fit any better due to the drastically different hanger locations.



Kurt

Hey Kurt thanks as always for all of the informed knowledge and advice. Do you have a number I can call you at? Some things are easier to understand hearing it
I definitely was wanting to use the Astro A5 tranny with my combination which is a beefed up T5 to my understanding. I like the idea of it having the smoothest shift feel. Whatever I have to do for ease of installation that's not too costly I will do. Also includes trying to properly match components. Since my car isn't fixable because of the undercarriage damage, I'm going to get another body and just build it/transfer things off of mine.