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Cons betweent Mac/BBK LTs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter El Chico
  • Start date Start date Feb 9, 2004
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El Chico

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Sep 19, 2002
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Camp Lejeune, NC
Feb 9, 2004
#1
  • Feb 9, 2004
  • #1
I'm a big believer in you get what you paid for. A friend of mine keeps telling me to get the Mac LT and scratch the BBK because they're all pretty much the same thing. Long tubes are long tubes he says. I know he's just trying to save me some cash but what am I in for if I get the Mac LT instead of BBK?

As far as BBK, I know what the ceramic coating is for (heat decreaser/durability), but is it a must?
 
2

2002BLGT

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2003
2,945
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59
Bedford VA
Feb 9, 2004
#2
  • Feb 9, 2004
  • #2
macs are ok , but i love my BBKs , ceramic coat is worth every penny too , they are PURTY lol
 

'96&'01Stang

New Member
Feb 10, 2003
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Georgia
Feb 9, 2004
#3
  • Feb 9, 2004
  • #3
I hear a lot about issues with mac headers not fitting properly. I have the BBK's and love them. Yes Ceramic coating will help but it is not a must have. The drawback though is without the cc your headers will start rusting quickly
 

stangman

15 Year Member
Jul 10, 2003
2,690
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in a 3 bed, 2 bath
Feb 9, 2004
#4
  • Feb 9, 2004
  • #4
well i had absolutely no problems with the fiment on my macs with my old gt. i'll have to wait until a little later this week to find out on my new one plus you can get a ceraMAC coating for about $100 more than the regular coating.
the only problem i have heard with mac's on the 2 valves, is sometimes the weld slag can get sucked up into the engine, which could scar the cylinder walls. i'm going to delete my egr, for at least 3,000 mi, to make sure this doesn't happen to mine
 
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El Chico

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Sep 19, 2002
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Camp Lejeune, NC
Feb 10, 2004
#5
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #5
Considering the amount of people who spend their time underneath my car looking at the LTs, I'm not worried about the look of rust, but will the rust be bad for anything else other than looks?

c2see21, what do you mean "delete my egr". Do to my vast knowlege is mechanics I now sure what you mean by this and how it's done.
 

mogs01gt

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Jul 22, 2002
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Feb 10, 2004
#6
  • Feb 10, 2004
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I had no problems with my macs. I cant justify paying over 400 bucks for headers. that is a rip off.
 

KaPPaBaLL

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Nov 28, 2003
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Feb 10, 2004
#7
  • Feb 10, 2004
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Even BBK will start peeling. Get Hooker Jethot Coated Headers. Those are lifetime warranty.
 
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silostang

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May 10, 2003
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San Antonio, TX
Feb 10, 2004
#8
  • Feb 10, 2004
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I just recently got a set of used mac lt's and was wondering what is the easiest way to install them.
 
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El Chico

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Feb 10, 2004
#9
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #9
KaPPaBaLL Even BBK will start peeling. Get Hooker Jethot Coated Headers. Those are lifetime warranty.

So is the price. I'm more in favor of mogs01gt response. What does it matter what brand you have if the power response is the same at the wheels. What's the warranty cover? How do you know if your headers aren't good anymore, by the amount of rust developed? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$, I'm just trying to make sure I use my money right. I work a little too hard for it to just simple "try something out".

So what about the rust question? Does it effect anything other than it's looks?
 

mogs01gt

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Jul 22, 2002
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Feb 10, 2004
#10
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #10
yes, people buy the BBK for looks(but you cant even see the headers on our cars so that makes zero sense to me). People buy the Hookers for the quality and the fact you can remove the tranny without loosening the passenger side header.

There have been problems of the Hookers have clearance problems and my own personal opinion BBK products are crap. I only bought my pulleys because they were 50 bucks.

Macs were a good price and people have stated they see higher RWHP with them. I think they are equal length while other brands aren't. I don't think that is 100% accurate though.
 

KaPPaBaLL

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#11
  • Feb 10, 2004
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Jethot headers $535 for a pair 1-800-432-3379 ask for Todd if you can.. jet hot makes them out of Hookers headers and Mac. Ask them for your model mustang

BBK LT's on Summit $429-$499 edit: for a pair..
 

mogs01gt

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#12
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #12
KaPPaBaLL said:
Jethot headers $535 for a pair 1-800-432-3379 ask for Todd if you can..

BBK LT's on Summit $429-$499 EACH!
Click to expand...


now that is what I call a rip off. That doesnt even include the mid pipe. So add another 150-200 on that. Plus bolts and gaskets if you want them also. I replaced both on my install.
 

KaPPaBaLL

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#13
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mogs01gt said:
now that is what I call a rip off. That doesnt even include the mid pipe. So add another 150-200 on that. Plus bolts and gaskets if you want them also. I replaced both on my install.
Click to expand...

still cheaper than BBKs
 

mogs01gt

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#14
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #14
they arent each at Summit. I dont know where you got that from.
 

KaPPaBaLL

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#15
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #15
mogs01gt said:
they arent each at Summit. I dont know where you got that from.
Click to expand...

my bad. just double checked... i'd still get jethot coated..
 
R

ROBW9999

Member
Jan 3, 2003
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Jacksonville, FL
Feb 10, 2004
#16
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #16
silostang said:
I just recently got a set of used mac lt's and was wondering what is the easiest way to install them.
Click to expand...

there are a couple people who have done very detailed write ups on this, don't have any links at the moment. When we did mine, we didn't drop the k-member, but did jack up the motor a few inches, still tough, but doable, if I could do it again, it wouldn't take half as long. Longtube headers are one of the harder "bolt ons" to do.

As far as macs go, I've had mine of less than 2 months. I put a few coats of the 1200 degree paint on the headers and dr.gas x pipe and they both still look like they did when I put them in (I won't say the headers look perfect b/c they got some scratches putting them in ) . I know it's no ceramic coating, but it's better than nothing.
 

mogs01gt

Founding Member
Jul 22, 2002
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Feb 10, 2004
#17
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #17
silostang said:
I just recently got a set of used mac lt's and was wondering what is the easiest way to install them.
Click to expand...


sorry I missed your post.Good header install write up.

http://www.fnsweet.com/garage/lt_install/index.shtml
 
D

Daves4.6GT

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Sep 17, 2003
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Feb 10, 2004
#18
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #18
I love my MACs got them for $275 shipped havnt had any of the HTS come off either. They Just started Ceramic Coating the some of the Macs like a month ago......
I installed mine in my drive way. Its not really all that hard, just dont get in a hurry, have someone to help you, and Reuse your stock studs, you will have to cut a little bit of the #7 cylinder stud (bottom stud) to be able to get a socket on it.....
I didnt drop the K-member either.......
SuperDave
 
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Daves4.6GT

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Sep 17, 2003
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Feb 10, 2004
#19
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #19
you will have to jack up the motor too......
SuperDave
 
J

just some guy

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Sep 23, 2002
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Feb 10, 2004
#20
  • Feb 10, 2004
  • #20
BBKs are easiest to install i believe, MACs make the most power and hookers are good if you want to be able to remove the tranny easily.
 
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