I need A couple tips on installing MY LT's!!!

*HOOFHEARTED*

Member

Dec 5, 2002

240

1

18

Richmond Hill Ont, Canada

Dec 27, 2003

#1

• Dec 27, 2003

• #1

I already Ran a search but I didn't come up with much.
I have an 88 5.0 5spd.
I already have my tranny out cuz I killed it so I figured this would be the best time to put them in.
I have a set of MAC 1 5/8" LT's.
Do I need new header bolts or do I put studs in or what? and where would I find them?
and am I gonna have to lift anything like the engine or whatnot to shoe horn them in?
I've also heard I might have to undo the steering shaft and move it aside.
STUMPPED..... I just wanna know what I'm gonna get into doing these
I Have a car hoist to use too.that'll make it easier I hope.
any little tips would be great. like whether I go from the top or bottom. anything.
:canflag:

 

89Notch

Founding Member

Oct 21, 1999

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MSU

Dec 27, 2003

#2

• Dec 27, 2003

• #2

Well, all i've ever done was unbolted the old ones, pulled em out, put in the new ones, and bolted them in... it's not as hard as pullin teeth

 

C

Calypso Pony

New Member

May 11, 2003

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El Paso, TX

Dec 27, 2003

#3

• Dec 27, 2003

• #3

I want to say the only part I unbolted when I did mine was the starter. It's not too hard considering that you already have your tranny out. I wouls also recommend that you use some ARP bolts with a good set of gaskets to finish it up. Good Luck

 

ahuge1

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Jun 3, 2003

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16

LUBBOCK,TX

Dec 27, 2003

#4

• Dec 27, 2003

• #4

yes you must unbolt the sterring shaft and run it threw -the tubes. i put mine on with the motor out, so it was a cake walk, ive seen it atempted with it in the car though.... good luck man!

 

tvmango

New Member

Oct 27, 2003

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bradenton florida

Dec 27, 2003

#5

• Dec 27, 2003

• #5

with the longtubes, I assume you mean full lenths? or shorty equals? for the full length longtubes I think you have You should have got new bolts, with it, the stock bolt heads are way to big I believe.. I would just unbolt 1 side of your engine mounts at a time and lift it if you have problems, It's really easy with a air gun, just 1 big nut on either side....

 

1Stang2Go

Founding Member

Feb 4, 2002

389

16

39

CT

Dec 27, 2003

#6

• Dec 27, 2003

• #6

Jacking the motor up will free up some room too...
While you have the starter exposed, get some starter wrap or a starter shield to protect your starter from the extra heat. You may never have a problem with the FL's, but if the heat does fry the starter, you'll be kicking yourself for not doing it.
Make sure your motor mounts are in good shape too. You don't want the headers to hit on the starter. That happened on my camaro. the vibration rattled the bolts loose and the starter dropped down and took all the teeth off my flywheel. Sucked!
Just some extra things to think about....Good Luck

 

tvmango

New Member

Oct 27, 2003

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bradenton florida

Dec 27, 2003

#7

• Dec 27, 2003

• #7

1Stang2Go said:

Jacking the motor up will free up some room too...
While you have the starter exposed, get some starter wrap or a starter shield to protect your starter from the extra heat. You may never have a problem with the FL's, but if the heat does fry the starter, you'll be kicking yourself for not doing it.
Make sure your motor mounts are in good shape too. You don't want the headers to hit on the starter. That happened on my camaro. the vibration rattled the bolts loose and the starter dropped down and took all the teeth off my flywheel. Sucked!
Just some extra things to think about....Good Luck

Click to expand...

I never thought of the heat,, thanks for the heads up!!

 

*HOOFHEARTED*

Member

Dec 5, 2002

240

1

18

Richmond Hill Ont, Canada

Dec 27, 2003

#8

• Dec 27, 2003

• #8

My headers didn't come with the bolts cause I got my headers off someone who bolted them on their car and used em for about a week or two and then swapped for a 460 so he had no use for them and I never got the bolts with it.
So I just need bolts that are about an inch long and 3/8" w/ 16 thread ????

I'll get em in there for sure but I just wanna be sure about any little tricks. :canflag:

 

ram360

Founding Member

Oct 19, 2002

2,162

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59

Pennsylvania

Dec 27, 2003

#9

• Dec 27, 2003

• #9

I put MAC LT's on my car w/ the motor and trans still in the car. I put both in from the bottom. You have to remove your steering shaft and reinstall it after you have the headers on. To get them in I had to unbolt the motor mounts and jack up one side of the motor at a time to gain enough clearance to get them it.

 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.

Nov 8, 2003

2,120

2

59

windsor, Canada

Dec 28, 2003

#10

• Dec 28, 2003

• #10

Going to save you some headaches here I hope cause I just installed them in my 88 gt 5spd. First...save frustration and start by removing motor mount bolts. Then remove starter (not hard at all), then yes you must unbolt steering shaft. Then jack up the motor till you have clearance and boom they drop right in. You can get header bolts at any performance shop (Canadian tire too for us Canadians). Give your self about 4 to six hours and that should be plenty of time...oh and in case your wondering if its worth it.. I have mac 1-5/8 to 2-1/2 h-pipe and YES IT WAS WORTH EVERY WACKED KNUCKLE WITHOUT ANY DOUBT.

 

mike keirstead

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Aug 6, 2003

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ROLLING A JOINT

Dec 28, 2003

#11

• Dec 28, 2003

• #11

Listen......I just did it.

Jack up your motor and they will slip in like butter. Dont unbolt your steering. If you take the 2 big nuts of the motor mounts.(1 on each side). And lift the motor 5-6 inches they will go in easy. You could use studs or bolts. I used bolts. I recommend copper gaskets. That is how i did it. Took me 45 minutes. Its easier than people think. They will clear the starter and the steering column if you lift the motor. You may have to take the TB off to get the passenger side to snake in. But that takes all of 2 minutes to take that off. I installed MAC 1 5/8 longtubes also.

 

mint93GT

Founding Member

Nov 5, 2001

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STERNville, they grow on trees around here

Dec 28, 2003

#12

• Dec 28, 2003

• #12

You guys rock......and thanks HOOFHEARTED for posting the thread. I'm doing longtubes in my driveway within the next three days!!! Man, I cannot wait to do it. I've got a feeling the car is going to rumble pretty good...following through with the Prochamber, Flowpaths and dumps. (need to go dumpd with the panhard bar (and soon tourque arm) Space is getting scarce back around that rear axle. Thanks for the tips guys.

 

1

1bad92lx

New Member

Mar 31, 2003

247

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Close to lynchburg, VA

Dec 28, 2003

#13

• Dec 28, 2003

• #13

When I put my bbk lt's on my car, I just had to jack up the engine on the passenger side. The drivers side slid right in from the bottom. Then I had to trim the lakewood bellhousing for clearance on the passenger side and I had to take the tb off for clearance so I could slide the header in from the top. I didn't have to touch the steering shaft. For mac's I would think that they would slide right in perfect if you unbolted the motor mounts and lifted a lil ways so you could position them from the bottom.