OK so who is installing your o/r H & X pipes.

Lav_2002GT · May 1, 2005

I am real interested in having a new exhaust system installed (minus headers). I see so many of you say you have o/r x or h pipes. I find it hard to believe that all of you have the means and time to do this yourselves. My question is who can be approached to do this illegal service. Would I be off my rocker to approach strangers at a local auto shop and try to get them to do this for me? I just do not have the equipment to do this, nor the money to buy it, plus the exhaust materials. I have a friend at work who might be able to help. I haven't asked him yet. How hard is it to install H or x pipe then cat back exhaust? I would really love to go o/r. I want to make this my second mod after Eibach pro kit and maybe spacers.

Advice appreciated.

ab 281 gt · May 1, 2005

I'm 17 and I did it myself in an hour. Just used my rhino ramps and then jacked up the rear end. You must have all the right tools though.

crazystang05 · May 1, 2005

If you get a o/r pipe that does not need to be welded it is not to difficult to attempt your self. If it is an X pipe that needs to be welded like DR. gas you should just take it some where. I have been trying to install my Dr. gas for about 3 days on the school shops lift and i still can't get it, so i am just bolting the stock h back up and taking it some where. If you want to do it your self i kno the BBK H comes in peice and would not be hard to install in your drive way prolly take you abotu 3 hours

mity2 · May 1, 2005

u'll neet several extention,and swibble joint. Long socket. Jack and stand.
u might need to do NAPA studs mod, but other then that, its really easy. one of easier mod u can do to tightenbond between you and your car

propellerhead · May 1, 2005

Find a local Mustang message board (or the regional forums on here) and ask for volunteers. That's what I did and 4-5 people offered their garages, tools and help. If you can come to north Texas, I'd help you.

csledd · May 1, 2005

installed LTs, O/R X-pipe and cat-back with my dad in our small ass garage

streetstang03 · May 1, 2005

easy to do yourself. just get some sockets, lots of extensions and a swivel extension for where the midpipe bolts up to the headers. long ass flat head to disconnect the O2 sensors. for someone doing it the first time ever, it shouldnt take more than 2 hrs w/ plenty of beer breaks.

BlackenedSVT · May 1, 2005

Do it yourself, it doesn't take long at all, 2 hours MAX. Make sure to have "Liquid Wrench" spray (like WD-40) to loosen up the manifold nuts/bolts. Extenshions for your socket wrenches and swivel heads sockets are a MUST also. But its really easy, do it yourself, save the money!

also, make sure to put the O2 sensors BACK IN, in the correct color & order in which they originally were in the mid-pipe.

Here are the tools i used to install my Magnaflow (catted) X pipe and SLP Cat-back myself:

Edit: I dont remember what i used the Vice-Grips for

View attachment 515877

sgarlic · May 1, 2005

Though you find it hard to believe, we all pretty much do the mid-pipes ourselves, since A) It's pretty easy, and B) like you said, illegal to have done basically anywhere.

Any exhaust shop will be happy to weld up a cat-back for you.. I paid $400 for my flow catback (that's the parts + welded install) but you could probably find cheaper if you look hard enough or make a friend at a local shop. It was worth the $$ to not have to worry about tightening clamps, leaks, etc.

Midpipe wise.. a medium deepwell 15mm socket,swivel, 12" extension, works wonders on that lower passenger manifold bolt.. get some PB blaster instead of WD-40 though. With an 02 you may be looking at some rusty bolts. I doubt you'll need the stud kit from napa, but never hurts to have it ready. I also bought a passenger side gasket from Ford just in case (which I didn't end up using, and returned.)

Edit: In my sig I have a link, and under the how-to section on the 04 page is a quick write-up I did on my mid-pipe installation.. might be worth the time to read just to have an idea what you're up against. Good luck.

topless98gt · May 1, 2005

Do you know how to loosen 8 bolts? If so, you can do this install in less than 2 hours. My first time took me about an hour and half. BE SURE YOU HAVE A SWIVEL AND A 12" EXTENSION AND SOME PB BLASTER OR LIQUID WRENCH.

Prep parts:
-Get a 12" extension (put 2 together if you have to) ($5)
-a ratchet (unless you have an impact wrench) ($3-$20)
-a swivel ($5-$200)
-a 15mm deepwell socket (<$1)
-PB Blaster/Liquid Wrench (?)
-2 jack stands ($20-$100)
-a passenger side manifold gasket (get from your local Ford parts dealer) (~$10)
-a jack ($20-$200)
-2 ramps ($20-$70). Oh, you might want a flashlight ($0-$200) too to make those manifold bolts easier to see.

Total Parts Cost: $84-$806 (unless you already have some of the parts, which you probably do)

1) Let the car cool down for at least 1 hour (I know some guys on here that have permanent scars from exhaust burns...trust me, let it cool)
2) Since it is a rear wheel drive car (back wheels locked by first gear), back the car onto some stands. Now jack up the front end and place jack stands on the axels.
3) Go change into some old nasty clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
4) Spray some PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench and let sit for about 20 minutes. WARNING: THIS STUFF DOES DRIP AND SPLATTER AND WILL STAIN YOUR CLOTHES!
5) Unbolt the 4 bolts where the mid-pipe and cat-back join (if you have an impact wrench this should take LITERALLY less than a minute).
6) Using the extension, unbolt the 2 driver-side bolts where the manifold meets the mid-pipe.
7) Using the extension, unbolt the furthest out bolt on the passenger side (where the manifold meets the mid-pipe).
8) Using the swivel and the extension, unbolt the inner-most bolt on the passenger side (again, where the manifold meets the mid-pipe).
9) Carefully disconnect all of the o2 sensors and drop the mid-pipe.
10) Unscrew the o2 sensors and screw them into the new mid-pipe.
11) Place the new manifold gasket in (on the passenger side) and bolt up the manifold side of the mid-pipe first, in the same order you took them off (driver-side, outter-most passenger, inner-most passgener). IMPORTANT: LEAVE THESE BOLTS A LITTLE LOOSE FOR SLACK!
12) Bolt up the mid-pipe to the catback and tighten thoroughly.
13) Tighten manifold-mid-pipe bolts.
14) Connect the o2 sensors; if they don't reach, buy an extender from your local automotive store.
15) IMPORTANT: CLEAR ALL TOOLS FROM THE AREA UNDERNEATH THE CAR!
16) Jack the car back up off of the jack stands and lower the car.
17) Drive the car off of the ramps and voila! You're done!

Note: if you have an impact wrench it will cut the install in half...those things work wonders!

Muscles00GT · May 1, 2005

Actually, you'd be surprised at how many shops will actually do it. Just make a few calls and clarify that your midpipe doesn't have cats. Tell them you use it for the track and your starting your mods with the exhaust. Many shops will do it.

Mike97gt · May 1, 2005

it is a very easy install too do.. if your car is more than 4 years old. or if you live in the rust belt, i recomend that you spray the manifold to h pipe nuts with wd-40,pb blaster or what ever you use. and leave it overnight. if it's not that rusty you wont have too do this. but trust me a broken stud would suck in your driveway.

Lav_2002GT · May 1, 2005

Thanks everyone. You guys are the ****zznit!!

Mike97gt · May 1, 2005

Lav_2002GT said:
Thanks everyone. You guys are the ****zznit!!

Darkhorse845 · May 1, 2005

topless98gt said:
Do you know how to loosen 8 bolts? If so, you can do this install in less than 2 hours. My first time took me about an hour and half. BE SURE YOU HAVE A SWIVEL AND A 12" EXTENSION AND SOME PB BLASTER OR LIQUID WRENCH.

Prep parts:
-Get a 12" extension (put 2 together if you have to) ($5)
-a ratchet (unless you have an impact wrench) ($3-$20)
-a swivel ($5-$200)
-a 15mm deepwell socket (<$1)
-PB Blaster/Liquid Wrench (?)
-2 jack stands ($20-$100)
-a passenger side manifold gasket (get from your local Ford parts dealer) (~$10)
-a jack ($20-$200)
-2 ramps ($20-$70). Oh, you might want a flashlight ($0-$200) too to make those manifold bolts easier to see.

Total Parts Cost: $84-$806 (unless you already have some of the parts, which you probably do)

1) Let the car cool down for at least 1 hour (I know some guys on here that have permanent scars from exhaust burns...trust me, let it cool)
2) Since it is a rear wheel drive car (back wheels locked by first gear), back the car onto some stands. Now jack up the front end and place jack stands on the axels.
3) Go change into some old nasty clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
4) Spray some PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench and let sit for about 20 minutes. WARNING: THIS STUFF DOES DRIP AND SPLATTER AND WILL STAIN YOUR CLOTHES!
5) Unbolt the 4 bolts where the mid-pipe and cat-back join (if you have an impact wrench this should take LITERALLY less than a minute).
6) Using the extension, unbolt the 2 driver-side bolts where the manifold meets the mid-pipe.
7) Using the extension, unbolt the furthest out bolt on the passenger side (where the manifold meets the mid-pipe).
8) Using the swivel and the extension, unbolt the inner-most bolt on the passenger side (again, where the manifold meets the mid-pipe).
9) Carefully disconnect all of the o2 sensors and drop the mid-pipe.
10) Unscrew the o2 sensors and screw them into the new mid-pipe.
11) Place the new manifold gasket in (on the passenger side) and bolt up the manifold side of the mid-pipe first, in the same order you took them off (driver-side, outter-most passenger, inner-most passgener). IMPORTANT: LEAVE THESE BOLTS A LITTLE LOOSE FOR SLACK!
12) Bolt up the mid-pipe to the catback and tighten thoroughly.
13) Tighten manifold-mid-pipe bolts.
14) Connect the o2 sensors; if they don't reach, buy an extender from your local automotive store.
15) IMPORTANT: CLEAR ALL TOOLS FROM THE AREA UNDERNEATH THE CAR!
16) Jack the car back up off of the jack stands and lower the car.
17) Drive the car off of the ramps and voila! You're done!

Note: if you have an impact wrench it will cut the install in half...those things work wonders!

Great post!

MaxxMundo · May 1, 2005

Darkhorse845 said:
Great post!

I'm adding this post to my bookmarks.

BennyBlown2v · May 1, 2005

dfhurleydude182 said:
I'm 17 and I did it myself in an hour. Just used my rhino ramps and then jacked up the rear end. You must have all the right tools though.

Same here

shotime · May 1, 2005

If you have access to an impact wrench, and a shoplight along with the other extensions and swivels mentioned it will be an easy install. Also a plus to have a friend to help ya out!!!

merc123 · May 1, 2005

I did it myself in about 4 or so hours. It took so long because I couldn't break the driver's side manifold loose until the bolt finally broke. I didn't have the stud kit so I spend time looking through the box-o-bolts trying to find one that fit.

So far no leaks and it was so much cheaper than getting a shop to do it.

I'd do it yourself. A friend would help too. I did it by myself except when I tried to break that manifold stud loose and had my mechanic buddy help me.

topless98gt · May 2, 2005

Darkhorse845 said:
Great post!

Thanks man...that's probably the first useful post I've ever made on this forum...haha.

It was honestly the best $120 I ever saved. I'm actually going to put a new gasket in today, forgot last time

OK so who is installing your o/r H & X pipes.

Lav_2002GT

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ab 281 gt

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

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