Extra Mod Dilemma - 3 options

CobraRed_96_GT

Active Member
May 20, 2006
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UCSD/La Jolla
Well it looks like i wont be going the LT route cuz of the smog risk which is hard enough with just cams, but LT's means i can't use stock mid-pipe to smog. So there's 3 things i want to buy now and don't want to buy all of them cuz my mod list is getting a bit long.

- BBK chrome equal length shorties (heads will be off, so will actually be less work cuz i wont have to take off my stockers). Can get these locally NEW for about $155 But im worried about leaks cuz it's not ceramic, opinions?

- DDM HID kit for my smoked lamps since they aren't bright at all right now. I'd get 6000k color, $135 for 35w (3-4 times brighter than stock) or $180 for 55w (5-6 times brighter).

- Motorcraft front 02 sensors. Least fun, but im not sure if/when they ever been replaced so it might be best to have new ones on for the SCT flash tune and dyno pulls. $108
 
Id go with the BBKs or MACs since it will be easier now than latter. Down the road you will want them and it would be alot more labor :shrug:
 
Just seems with the new heads an cams and all that good stuff something better than stock would be wanted. You have the money and its easiest to install them now so thats why I vote for the headers. Great copliment to all the other things you are doing to help the engine breathe :nice:
 
Just seems with the new heads an cams and all that good stuff something better than stock would be wanted. You have the money and its easiest to install them now so thats why I vote for the headers. Great copliment to all the other things you are doing to help the engine breathe :nice:

Yeah, well i have the money for all those mods - and forged internals, and a blower. But im just trying to justify what's the best use for the money i do spend
 
equal length are supposed to give more power, cuz they act like long tubes where each cylinder sees the same exhaust pressure and there's more scavenging with equal pipes, its just the shorties are obviously shorter. It is a good deal price wise, but you guys think they'll leak?
 
From what I hear the BBK header gaskets suck and to use something else :shrug: On my Fox I had MACs with bad gaskets and all I could get were the BBKs. They worked just fine with no leaks, allthough I sold it 5K miles latter.
 
From what I hear the BBK header gaskets suck and to use something else :shrug: On my Fox I had MACs with bad gaskets and all I could get were the BBKs. They worked just fine with no leaks, allthough I sold it 5K miles latter.

Im using the stock exhaust gaskets that come with the FRPP head changing kit. Should be fine there. I'm talking about since it's not ceramic coated the steel will expand a lot more than the stock cast iron and could expand to bust the gasket or contract when cold to make a crappy seal.
 
I would do the headers too, but why you gonna go with chrome?? U should look into the Ford racing shorties since they are at least stainless steel. Now is the time to do the headers though since the motor is gonna be out of the car.

It would be pretty smart to get the 02 sensors, but i know how u feel, its not really a mod, but will help u out in the long run.
 
I would do the headers too, but why you gonna go with chrome?? U should look into the Ford racing shorties since they are at least stainless steel. Now is the time to do the headers though since the motor is gonna be out of the car.

It would be pretty smart to get the 02 sensors, but i know how u feel, its not really a mod, but will help u out in the long run.

well, i know someone locally that i can get new bbk's from for like 150-160. the ford ones are unequal length and dont seem to perform to well (as if any shorty does). Ceramic shorties arn't too expensive, but $300 is too expensive to be worth it.

I'm stumped on 02's - have no idea how to tell if they are in good condition
 
They are these:
bbk-1615_w.webp

guess the notched part is for the dip-stick?
 
Have you ever seen BBK shorties in person? I have, and I was not impressed. Sure, they're probably better than stock, but are they worth $150 for probably 3-5 rwhp? That's up to you. If there's any way for you to visually inspect the headers before buying, I recommend you do so.
 
Have you ever seen BBK shorties in person? I have, and I was not impressed. Sure, they're probably better than stock, but are they worth $150 for probably 3-5 rwhp? That's up to you. If there's any way for you to visually inspect the headers before buying, I recommend you do so.

He's in Oceanside, and that's where the mechanic im doing my swap lives. So possibly. What am i looking for? Bad welds? I heard bbk welds were better than mac's.