need new header advise!

blkstangman88

New Member

Apr 6, 2004

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Dec 15, 2005

#1

• Dec 15, 2005

• #1

so i took my 97 cobra to 2 different shops today, and they both said the same thing, the long tubes on my cobra are CRAP! i asked whats a better brand and they both said all long tubes are crap UNLESS im planning on serious hp gains, well i cant afford that for a long time.
so im planning on putting shortys back on with another o/r x-pipe. whats a good brand header, what size 1 1/2 or 1 5/8 and equal or not equal length are my questions. and where to get them?

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

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Motor City

Dec 15, 2005

#2

• Dec 15, 2005

• #2

Go with BBK L/T. They are NOT crap. Had them on my 96 since FEb. 2002. They still look good, they have some rust on the very underside since they are close to the ground. The car is stored during winter, but occasionally I get caught in the rain. They were the first mod I did, and I noticed a difference, so I would keep them.

 

blkstangman88

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Apr 6, 2004

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Dec 15, 2005

#3

• Dec 15, 2005

• #3

what did u have to do to install them or did u have a shop do it. both shops said itll take about 15-20 hours cuz they have to lower the k-member to take out the old ones and install the new ones.

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

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Motor City

Dec 17, 2005

#4

• Dec 17, 2005

• #4

I had Alternative Auto Performance (Mt. Clemens MI) install them. It is a 7-8 hour job for them because they do it all the time. They know exactly the tools and prcedures to use. They don't have to lower the K-frame, they just take the motor mount bolts off, and lift and tilt the engine. However, an unexperienced shop may have to lower the K-frame, and it may take 15-20 hours, because they have never done it before. I know of one shop that does drop the K-frame, and they hold the motor up with a chain and a forklift. They can do it in 3 hours, but it is more work to drop the K-member, and then you must get an alignment after you reinstall the K-frame. What state are you located in?

 

blkstangman88

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Apr 6, 2004

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Dec 17, 2005

#5

• Dec 17, 2005

• #5

im in marysville wa. i was looking at the ceramic coated bbk lt's from brothersperformance.com, but ive heard the bbk h-pipe is horrible. who makes a good x-pipe that would bolt up to the bbk lt's?

 

missouri_guy197

New Member

Aug 31, 2002

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St. Louis, MO

Dec 18, 2005

#6

• Dec 18, 2005

• #6

What brand do you have on there right now? And that shop is full of it and I wouldn't ever take my car there again if they said that long tubes for these cars are crap and aren't worth it...probably the best mod I've done to date...these cars lack low and mid range hp and torque and the long tubes help give some of that back...

Oh yeah and as for the BBK's, the only problem with them is one of them has to be loosened up or taken off if you ever need to drop the tranny for a clutch swap or whatever...The Hookers don't have that problem and let the tranny come right down...

Heh, and 15-20 hours to drop the k-member AND install the headers? It only took me 20 hours taking my time to install mine without dropping the k-member in my driveway on jackstands...It actually takes less time if you drop the k-member...should only be about a 7-8 hour job if the k comes down...

 

blkstangman88

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Apr 6, 2004

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Dec 18, 2005

#7

• Dec 18, 2005

• #7

so my choices are down to the bbk or the bassani mid legth with a new x-pipe. not sure what brands on it now, theres to markings and they were already there when i got the car.
now i know macs are crap, kooks rust out at the collector, whats good and bad about the other brands?

 

9

97rmcobra

Founding Member

Apr 21, 2002

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Milford,MA

Dec 18, 2005

#8

• Dec 18, 2005

• #8

I have BBK LT and Catted H-pipe. Huge difference over stock. Best mod besides gears I have done to the car. They are not CRAP. So don't go back to that shop.

 

blkstangman88

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Apr 6, 2004

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Dec 18, 2005

#9

• Dec 18, 2005

• #9

ive decided to go with bassani mid lengh headers and o/r x-pipe from 50resto.com.
the shops a reputable shop and ive been going there for years. the shops just said long tubes arnt worth the headache of installation for an extra 3-4 hp thats gained.