How hard is it to install lt's?

MrGame · Dec 8, 2006

I have no mechanical experience at all and I wanna put LT's in my car, is it a really hard install?

RedDaemon · Dec 8, 2006

for your case, yes. but it is possible..get a friend who knows a few things to help you out

Kilgore Trout · Dec 8, 2006

It is very difficult, they have lots of down side issues, they are much more expensive than you may realize. Perhaps you should consider something else.

Issues:
-need mil eliminators
-can cook rag joint and cause steering failure
-bottom out
-in the way of tranny drop
-will leak if not installed properly, and sometimes will leak regardless
-some headers (MAC) are known to cause serious engine damage
-price of good headers is high
-price of install is high

jasonh_86 · Dec 8, 2006

The install isn't necessarily "hard" as much as it is long and tedious. Helty and I put headers on 2 cars, my car and a '99 Cobra. It requires dropping the K-member out from under the car and holding the motor up by a jack.. We had to lower my motor about 10-12 inches to get to a few bolts due to the design of my headers but it was SOOOO worth it.

I would recommend SLP and Kooks headers. I've got the SLP LT's and they're awesome quality.. and they look gooood too

MrGame · Dec 8, 2006

are shorty's any good?

Rocketman · Dec 8, 2006

Here's some info on installing headers.

Header Intall

mustangkid05 · Dec 8, 2006

shortys are ok but ppl say not worth the installation

the98stang · Dec 8, 2006

If you love your car, you will install LT's lol.

BUT I would HIGHLY recommend buying a Haynes Repair manual for the install. You should also find some friends that have worked on cars before. Read the Haynes and buy all of the necessary tools ahead of time. Read the install guide 2 or 3 times. Then tackle that mother!

DTMach1 · Dec 8, 2006

LT's are pretty easy to install...although if you have no experience, I'd pay someone to do it.

mity2 · Dec 9, 2006

its not "hard". Its just tidius and time consuming. Does require you to remove some rather clitical components, such as front suspension, steering shaft, and some mechanical know-how are must.
If your totally new to mechanical aspect of automobile, I would have someone do it, or start with something smaller like an oil change or replace clutch to gain experience before you tackle LT install

Just my 2cents

'03GTinFLA · Dec 9, 2006

If you have mechanical experience I would say do it yourself. If you don't, then you should pay to have it done. Install + price of headers does get a bit expensive but it was the best mod I have done so far to my car, by the SOTP meter. Get a brand that you can drop the tranny without removing a LT. Get ceramic coated. Scraping is not bad. You'll hit the midpipe before the LT's and it's only over larger than normal speed bumps. Mil eliminators can be self made, there is a thread on here somewhere about it, but it's also an excuse to buy and SCT or Predator, which was my second favorite mod by SOTP meter. And the issue of Mac headers and engine damage was from a thread on MD and I think that was only with the 4V's. I usually agree with everything that Killy's says but I don't want him to scare you away from an awsome mod like LT's. Ask people who have them about issues and if it was worth it or not. You will get a resounding hell yes they are worth it. At least from me.

TrueBlue03 · Dec 9, 2006

its very hard. too hard. box them up and send them to me.

MrGame · Dec 14, 2006

does 200 bucks to install shorty headers sound too low?

mity2 · Dec 14, 2006

$200 for installing shortie is waste of money in my opinion. Unless you must retain mid-pipe for emission. go for LT

SaleenGT2001 · Dec 14, 2006

shortys=waste of time!
and yes it does sound low.

blackfang · Dec 14, 2006

Kilgore Trout said:
It is very difficult, they have lots of down side issues, they are much more expensive than you may realize. Perhaps you should consider something else.

Issues:
-need mil eliminators
-can cook rag joint and cause steering failure
-bottom out
-in the way of tranny drop
-will leak if not installed properly, and sometimes will leak regardless
-some headers (MAC) are known to cause serious engine damage
-price of good headers is high
-price of install is high

Seriously man where do you come up with this stuff?

You dont need Mil's if you have cats
I have had LT's in 2 cars with no steering issues & have yet to see anyone with steering issues.
Only if you are lowered it tends to happen.
No, they make LT's that allow it to drop
That is mainly due to poor quality and or install, not every header.
See above
Not really
Again not really

LT's are one of the best gains that can be had for under 800 bucks that will give you noticeable power.

blackfang · Dec 14, 2006

MrGame said:
does 200 bucks to install shorty headers sound too low?

Just give me that $200 and you will see the exact same result with that 200 bucks, not a damn thing

Smokeurhonda · Dec 14, 2006

Dude, like alot have already said. Get a good quality header. Also make sure you get good quality copper gaskets, and locking bolts are a big plus. You don't want to spend 9 hours, or 500 bucks install to have them leak. If you have no machnical know-how, leave the job to somebody else. Don't waste time on shorties. Didn't see a damn bit of difference on mine.

MrGame · Dec 14, 2006

aren't LT's not emissions legal? or are they with a catted midpipe?

stangman · Dec 14, 2006

here's another write on dropping the k-member

http://www.darkmesa.com/showthread.php?t=10921

How hard is it to install lt's?

MrGame

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I like Pro3 and all I got was this crappy CT.

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I like Pro3 and all I got was this crappy CT.

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