I got some estimates for installing long tubes on my 00 mustang gt, but the labor is kinda ridiculous, so I was thinking of trying it myself. I was looking under the car and was thinking of dropping the k member. Has anybody done this before, how hard was it, I dont have pneumatic tools or even an engine stand or any of that stuff to help me, although I think I could fabricate something to keep the engine from falling on my head. Is there an easier way to install the headers, I figure lifitng the engine would be harder than dropping it, either way I would have to unbolt th transmission right, and any connections that dont have enough slack to be dropped. Any help appreciated, really want to install these soon and see the gains. BtW, I have an auto.
LONG TUBE install
- Thread starter dankushead
- Start date
My friend and I did it on jack stands. We supported the engine from under with a jack and wood (basically the jack was only a little up from its normal starting position). Removing the K isn't hard just some extra time. We had the old headers off in 2.5 hours. Depending on brand of LTs, the bolting on of the new headers vary with time. Some headers are easier to bolt on due to primary tubing location. Total time was 7 hours.
Did not remove tranny. All hand tools.
Did not remove tranny. All hand tools.
also you may need to pull your steering column off and run it down through the header. For instance, MAC longtubes run around the steering column. this was something that was not called out in the installation instructions. bolting and unbolting the headers is not hard. just the work to get to it may take some time. the tranny brace will help support the engine while you have the k-member out. good luck, and its all worth it in the end. they sound bad!!!!
how much were they going to charge you to install the LT's???
how much were they going to charge you to install the LT's???
EPIK
Member
I just got mine installed yesterday by 2 guys in their garage & they had my car in & out within 4 hours. I was amazed because i was expecting it to be like 6-7 hours & I watched the whole time & they didnt cut any corners. Granted they had experience doing these quite a few times so they breezed through it, but honestly it didnt look all that hard as long as you have the proper tools. Dropping the K is the only way to do the job right.
Yeah, how much were the quotes the shops gave you???
Yeah, how much were the quotes the shops gave you???
EPIK
Member
$400 is about right. thats what I paid....
I bought them used from a friend of mine....
superstang01
Active Member
500 is rediculous, the ford dealer here has done them alot, they can do them in just under 3 hours for 225$
blackfang
Founding Member
I paid 350 for mine and watched the guy do it in his shop. I did them on my old car and no way am I doing it again...lol. I gladly paid
96GTstang46
New Member
I had The dealership by my house quoted me at $700 for 6hours of labor or some crap. 
They also said, that the PI intake manifold with gaskets was $530!! NOT INSTALLED! I swear that the parts guy was smokin some crack before he talked to me or something, cuz I asked for the manager and he was the manager! And i even took him a quote from another local ford dealer that was much cheaper and he said i was lying and printed out my own or something.
Thats why iam ALWAYS forced to do my own work, or have a friend help me out. Pretty lame I know..
Sorry, just kinda venting....
They also said, that the PI intake manifold with gaskets was $530!! NOT INSTALLED! I swear that the parts guy was smokin some crack before he talked to me or something, cuz I asked for the manager and he was the manager! And i even took him a quote from another local ford dealer that was much cheaper and he said i was lying and printed out my own or something.
Thats why iam ALWAYS forced to do my own work, or have a friend help me out. Pretty lame I know..
Sorry, just kinda venting....
forum155pl
New Member
installing longtubes isnt that bad.. its not like you have to deal with torquing or grinding or anything, its just take the old off and install the new.. if you have a driveway, about 6 hours, jack, jackstands, a basic set of hand tools and a 24 pack of beer you are set..
just support the engine.. i saw someone on here put a piece of angle iron across the engine bay (inside of where the hood closes) with 2 eye bolts down to the alternator mounting holes (alternator comes out) then bolt those to the eye bolts though the alternator holes using your existing bolts.. jack up the motor and cinch up the eye bolts.. drop the K member(make sure you scribe where the K went for alignment reasons) with the jack still on the oil pan( Use a chunk o wood on the jack please).. remove all of the old exhaust, install new and go in revearse.. its really not that bad...
here is a link to help you out.. but dont do it if you have doubts.. i'll tell you that 70% of us here can do it without a problem..
www.fnsweet.com/garage/lt_install/index.shtml
just support the engine.. i saw someone on here put a piece of angle iron across the engine bay (inside of where the hood closes) with 2 eye bolts down to the alternator mounting holes (alternator comes out) then bolt those to the eye bolts though the alternator holes using your existing bolts.. jack up the motor and cinch up the eye bolts.. drop the K member(make sure you scribe where the K went for alignment reasons) with the jack still on the oil pan( Use a chunk o wood on the jack please).. remove all of the old exhaust, install new and go in revearse.. its really not that bad...
here is a link to help you out.. but dont do it if you have doubts.. i'll tell you that 70% of us here can do it without a problem..
www.fnsweet.com/garage/lt_install/index.shtml
Mustang92
SN's #1 1%er
Dropping the K-member is the easiest (least frustrating way) to change out the headers. Litterally the removal of the stock manifolds and install of the longtubes takes about 20-25 minutes with the K-member out. All the labor is the time remove the springs, K-member and reinstalling. Transmission doesn't have to be touched. If anything you may have to spend some time clearancing the longtubes if they hit the starter (Mac's usually do) defintely with a TKO and Lakewood bellhousing.
Bill
Bill
I'm in the middle of installing a set of mid-length Bassani's on my 99 Saleen and right about now, I'd pay someone else to do it... Drivers side is in, got lucky - one of the studs snapped. Fortunately there was enough threads left to get 2 nuts on and back it out.
Passenger side is a whole different story... One of the new header bolts decided to cross thread and won't go any further in. I'm going to see if I can tap it, if not..... well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
I'm doing this without pulling the K-member at the moment. Since I'm going to be replacing the struts and springs in another week or two, I just might pull the K-member at this point.
Passenger side is a whole different story... One of the new header bolts decided to cross thread and won't go any further in. I'm going to see if I can tap it, if not..... well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
I'm doing this without pulling the K-member at the moment. Since I'm going to be replacing the struts and springs in another week or two, I just might pull the K-member at this point.
Mustang92
SN's #1 1%er
Oh yeah one other word of advice if you are putting headers in...look out for the AC line that runs right above the passenger side header. Lots of people leave it sitting against the header and burn right through it.
Bill
Bill
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