Header Replacement

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Bullitt1063

New Member

May 4, 2006

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Germany

Jul 6, 2006

#1

• Jul 6, 2006

• #1

Who here has experience with installing headers. How difficult is it, and if given the choice Shorties or L/Ts.

Thanks

 

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46gtsblown

Founding Member

Jan 9, 2002

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Jul 6, 2006

#2

• Jul 6, 2006

• #2

Royal pain in the ass.
LT's give more gain but then require removal of 1 side to change clutch.
Shorties help breathing up top, make it easier to change clutch but are still difficult to install, they do allow you to use your existing exhaust components.

Dwayne

 

blackfang

Founding Member

Dec 17, 2001

1,290

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Richmond, Va

Jul 6, 2006

#3

• Jul 6, 2006

• #3

Not all LT's require you to remove one of them for the clutch.

 

merc123

Active Member

Jan 27, 2003

420

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North GA

Jul 6, 2006

#4

• Jul 6, 2006

• #4

Testing shows that L/T's have a bit more power than shortie headers and that if you do buy headers, L/T's are the only cost effective ones to buy. I don't know about the install though.

 

spdfrkaby

New Member

Jun 24, 2005

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Minot, North Dakota

Jul 6, 2006

#5

• Jul 6, 2006

• #5

Make sure you get the stage 8 bolts and a new gasket. I just bought the aluminum one. Four bolts on my driver side fell off and I think the gasket is shot due to the blower install. It's about $90 for both and it's worth it. Nothing like getting pissed off 2 years down the road and having to lift the engine just to change the gasket and bolts that fell off.

 

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Logan2003Cobra

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Jun 7, 2004

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Las Vegas, NV

Jul 6, 2006

#6

• Jul 6, 2006

• #6

Short vs. Long - long for power, short for easy (lol) install and emissions inspections.

I wouldn't try the install w/o a lift, and still expect it to take 8+ hours... other than that:

- you ABSOLUTELY NEED swivel head sockets or adapters
- to remove the starter, it will be easier coming from the front of the engine with about 18" worth of extensions to get at the top starter bolt (still a PITA)
- you will want to jack the engine up about an inch or two - remove strut tower brace if equipped, remove motor mount bolts, put a block of wood under crank pulley, and up she goes.
- expect to make very small turns with a wrench on some of the bolts.

Good Luck

 

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Bullitt1063

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May 4, 2006

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Germany

Jul 7, 2006

#7

• Jul 7, 2006

• #7

So if I go with L/Ts I will have to get a shorty mid pipe???? aaaaaaaaand..... in the mid pipe arena, I am partial to the H pipe because of the 3500 rpm power band and the growl note in the exhaust but I hear x pipes give overall more power but sound hollower than the h pipe.

 

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Bullitt1063

New Member

May 4, 2006

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Germany

Jul 7, 2006

#8

• Jul 7, 2006

• #8

One more question, is this a worthwhile upgrade, sounds like a major hassle for minimum gains. It seems like I would gain almost as much hp and torque just by adding an off road mid pipe and a new exhaust. I definately need some help, I was running 15's in the quarter mile this weekend, granted my launch sucked big time, but 15's???? c'mon now

 

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Pennywise2

Banned

May 16, 2006

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Jul 7, 2006

#9

• Jul 7, 2006

• #9

Headers are a PITB to install and it took me seven hours to install
my L/T headers on my old 92 GT with my dad helping.The headers
on the 4.6L engine is harder to get to and could take longer to install.
If you do get headers get L/T's.The kooks L/T headers have great
fitment and have good ground clearance for a L/T header.The Kooks are
expensive but, we'll worth it in my opnion.

 

BooWFO

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May 10, 2005

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Louisville, KY

Jul 7, 2006

#10

• Jul 7, 2006

• #10

Install PITA. Best write up I've read is the jba install guide. Although I'll add it helps to leave the engine jacked up for install on both sides.
Starter is a HUGE PITA. But if you leave kmember in place (like I did) come fromin front of it with extensions and variuos swivels and it comes out and installs easy enough.

Now the shorty Vs LT.
I think everyone can agree LT's make more power, but tranny removal May be an issue. I'm saying this because when I was looking at headers I contacted EVER manufacturer I could find and NONE of them said yes they'll clear for tranny removal.
Shorties- some power gains, allow use of stock midpipe or already existing midpipe ( hint emissions), same ground clearance as stockers. Downfall Install is basically the same if you buy new roughly same cost and don't make as much power.

 

blackfang

Founding Member

Dec 17, 2001

1,290

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Richmond, Va

Jul 7, 2006

#11

• Jul 7, 2006

• #11

Did you contact Hooker or Flowtech. They clear the trans and it is known they do. I think Kooks do as well.

 

BooWFO

New Member

May 10, 2005

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Louisville, KY

Jul 7, 2006

#12

• Jul 7, 2006

• #12

blackfang said:

Did you contact Hooker or Flowtech. They clear the trans and it is known they do. I think Kooks do as well.

Click to expand...

Yeap sure did. the response from Holley was " they may or maynot clear we can not say for certain" On top of taking 3 weeks to get a response.
kooks never did get one, but their price well honestly can't say I would've dropped the coin for them.

 

BCB00GT

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Mar 5, 2002

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Jul 7, 2006

#13

• Jul 7, 2006

• #13

Hooker and Flowtech clear for tranny removal.

Install is long but not that bad.

Best write-up is

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

If your going to do it, do LTs. I have BBK LTs and catted H pipe.

 

blackfang

Founding Member

Dec 17, 2001

1,290

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Richmond, Va

Jul 7, 2006

#14

• Jul 7, 2006

• #14

I like my Flowtechs and o/r x pipe