Questions about LT headers, intakes, and tuning...

[ocelot]

I've got a 96GT, with a flowmaster catback, and off-road h-pipe. I bought the car with these exhaust parts and i'm new to mustangs, but not cars in general. I keep hearing everyone talking about PI intakes and headswaps. The headswap seems like way too much for me, but how much will just the intake net me? (hp/tq-wise) Also, what are some good brands of long tube headers. Exactly what parts do longtubes replace in the exhaust? From what I understand the stock exhaust is made up of the headers, h-pipe, then catback? So do the long tube headers replace the headers and h-pipe? Sorry if I sound like a bit of a noob, but i'm used to turbo rotaries with no headers and single exhausts. Emissions also isn't a problem for me.

Also, will the longtubes make the car insanely loud or anything? How much do they usually run ($$) and how much gain do you think i'll see from them? As far as the PI intake swaps, any good places they can be purchased to adapt to a 96GT? How easy is the swap? I feel comfortable doing the job, just trying to see how long it will take a first-time installer.

 

[ocelot]

Oh, forgot about my tuning questions...

After a PI intake, and LT headers, will a tune be required or just good to have? What are some good products for the tuning and how much will they run me?

 

[ocelot]

These questions too noobish to answer or something?

 

[dollarbill]

Long tubes on a mostly stock non PI car are a waste IMO. Also they cost at least $450, plus I've heard the install is dam hard. The stock manifolds are not too bad on the 4.6s unless you have a power adder. Adding the PI intake can be done and you will see a good gain. Some people make adapters but I've heard others using rtv and making it all work. Instead of buying all the little bolt ons that don't do much you should research the PI head swap. In the end your car will make more power than any stock 99-04 GT.

 

[Sick96Stang]

I've got a 96GT, with a flowmaster catback, and off-road h-pipe. I bought the car with these exhaust parts and i'm new to mustangs, but not cars in general. I keep hearing everyone talking about PI intakes and headswaps. The headswap seems like way too much for me, but how much will just the intake net me? (hp/tq-wise) Also, what are some good brands of long tube headers. Exactly what parts do longtubes replace in the exhaust? From what I understand the stock exhaust is made up of the headers, h-pipe, then catback? So do the long tube headers replace the headers and h-pipe? Sorry if I sound like a bit of a noob, but i'm used to turbo rotaries with no headers and single exhausts. Emissions also isn't a problem for me.

Also, will the longtubes make the car insanely loud or anything? How much do they usually run ($$) and how much gain do you think i'll see from them? As far as the PI intake swaps, any good places they can be purchased to adapt to a 96GT? How easy is the swap? I feel comfortable doing the job, just trying to see how long it will take a first-time installer.

PI intake along is good for 10-15 rwhp maybe a little bit more, maybe somebody can show u a dyno graph of somebody with just the PI intake on. Its been discovered that the NPI intake is the main problem with 96-98 GT's not the heads but the heads will still help. As far as good brands of LT headers all of them are pretty good only one I've heard people having any trouble with is MAC. Seems like most of them dont have any problems but I've heard of a few people having problems. Only thing longtubes replace are your stock headers. Since your car already came with an O/R H-pipe you will need a new shorter H-pipe with the LT's. Unless u can do install yourself on the LT's its gonna cost u an assload to get them installed.

No, headers dont have that much of an affect on the sound of your car might make your car a bit deeper. As far as price just look around u can go anywhere from around $400-$800. Gains are awesome u should see about 10-15 rwhp from the LT's maybe a little less since u have NPI stuff. For the PI Intake you will need either adapter plates or u can just use some sealent its been argued many times wether the plates actual help or not personally I believe that they do.

If I had to do it all over again I would go straight for the full PI headswap that is the foundation for the rest of your mods since u will be flowing so much more air with all the PI parts. LT headers is a great mod but the install will kill you unless u can do it yourself or know somebody.

 

[ocelot]

I can handle the header install, and the PI intake, but I don't really know whats involved in doing a headswap, and it seems pretty complicated. I don't have the money to go paying someone to do the stuff for me at the moment, so if I go with the PI intake and LT headers, how much of a gain total do you think i'll see? Also with the PI intake and LT headers will I need to get it tuned?

 

[dollarbill]

I'm guessing 20 rwhp at the most, more like 30 with a good tune. But remember, you will need a shorter mid pipe to hook up to the long tubes. So a set of long tubes ($450-$600), plus a new mid pipe (cheap catted ones are over $250) and the new intake for about $200 or so. Then a dyno tune will be a couple hundred more. If it was me I would leave the exhaust alone and focus on the PI head swap. All the part for the swap can be had here:http://www.parkwayperformance.com/2vheadswap.asp and in the end the headswaped car will end up with a lot more power than the other mods you are thinking about. Good luck.

 

[jocko]

if you can rebuild a rotary motor then you can do a head swap,the question is,can you rebuild a rotary engine?

 

[ocelot]

Seen most of the rebuild process done, but never did it myself since the rx-7 I got had 9k on a rebuild.

 

[96WhiteNight]

I would just wait and save the cash and let someone do the head swap for you. To me it sounds like a waste for just 10 or 15 and all thats involved. and for headers i woudln't worry about them either your not gona get a massive incrase in power for the price. Buy a timing adjuster and an x-pipe and you will prob get more power then the intake with a lot less time.

 

[Sick96Stang]

I would just wait and save the cash and let someone do the head swap for you. To me it sounds like a waste for just 10 or 15 and all thats involved. and for headers i woudln't worry about them either your not gona get a massive incrase in power for the price. Buy a timing adjuster and an x-pipe and you will prob get more power then the intake with a lot less time.

LT headers are in no way a waste they are one of the best bolt-on mods u can do to your car. I would get all the PI stuff on first though since like I said it will help all other mods u do after it to perform even better. No way a timing adjuster and X-pipe will give you the same power a PI intake will.